igus donates bearings and cable carrier to FIRST Robotics Competition

igus’ continued support of the multinational FIRST Robotics Competition is a learning experience for students and company alike

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – April 27, 2007 – The 2007 FIRST® (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition wrapped up in Atlanta on April 14th as teams from around the globe converged in the Georgia Dome to compete in the final matches of the season. This year’s game, dubbed Rack ‘N’ Roll, challenged students to build a robot capable of hanging inflated colored tubes on pegs configured in rows and columns on a 10-foot high, center rack structure. The season also marked the second year for igus® Inc., the leading manufacturer of plastic machinery components, as a product supplier and supporter of FIRST Robotics.

Through its Y.E.S. (Young Engineers Support) Program, which aims to foster the mechanical design ideas of students, the company donated Energy Chain® cable carrier, iglide® plastic bearings, igubal ® spherical bearings and DryLin ® linear bearings and shafting to each participating FIRST team.

The igus products were included in a kit of parts, which FIRST teams use to design, build and program a robot to perform various functions. This year, more than 10,000 students from 23 countries were exposed to igus’ products while designing and building their robots. Igus also donated, at no cost, additional products from its entire product line to more than 145 FIRST teams that contacted the company directly.

“Igus’ donation to the 2006 FIRST Robotics Competition was more of a success than we anticipated,” said Carsten Blase , vice president of igus. “FIRST teams are not only recognizing igus and its products, but are beginning to understand the benefits of using plastic components. And many teams devised highly inventive ways to use them. Igus continues to be a proud sponsor of the FIRST Robotics Competition and is already looking forward to what these amazing students will accomplish next year.”

FIRST Team 271 from Bay Shore High School in N.Y. used iglide J bearings, igubal spherical bearings and DryLin S aluminum shafting on its robot. The team, which advanced all the way to the Atlanta Championship, used igus products on every moving mechanism in its robot. Iglide and igubal are a lightweight, maintenance-free alternative to metal and bronze bushings.

Team 1746 from North Forsyth High School in Ga. also used igus products. Energy Chain cable carrier guided and protected vital cables running up the robot’s elevator system. The team, which was undefeated at the Peachtree Regional Competition, enjoyed the reliability and lightweight feature of Energy Chain.

Three teams hailing from Worcester, Mass., Las Vegas, Nev. and South Windsor, Conn. triumphed at the Championship. Awards included The Founder’s Award for the team that best exemplifies and advances the ideals and mission of FIRST; The Woodie Flowers Award bestowed upon the teacher or mentor who demonstrates teaching excellence in the areas of science, math and creative design; and the DaimlerChrysler Team Spirit Award.

To learn more about FIRST, visit www.usfirst.org. To learn more about igus’ sponsorship of FIRST Robotics and its Y.E.S. Program, visit www.igus.com/yesprogram. Igus also is a product sponsor for other engineering competitions such as BEST (Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology), the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) Collegiate Design Series and the National Robotics Challenge (NRC).

About igus
Igus Inc., founded in 1985 and based in East Providence, R.I., develops and manufactures industry-leading plastic cable carriers, continuous-flex cables, plastic bearings and linear guide systems. With more than 28,000 products available from stock, the company meets the motion control and machinery component needs of customers worldwide. Product lines include Energy Chain Systems® to protect and house moving cables, Chainflex® continuous-flex cables, iglide self-lubricating, oil-free, plastic bearings, DryLin linear guide systems and igubal spherical bearings. For more information, contact igus at (800) 521-2747 or visit www.igus.com.

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	View the entire igus photo gallery and get other images and captions for print or online publication! Go now!			igus’ continued support of the multinational FIRST Robotics Competition is a learning experience for students and company alike EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – April 27, 2007 – The 2007 FIRST® (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition wrapped up in Atlanta on April 14th as teams from around the globe converged in the Georgia Dome to compete in the final matches of the season. This year’s game, dubbed Rack ‘N’ Roll, challenged students to build a robot capable of hanging inflated colored tubes on pegs configured in rows and columns on a 10-foot high, center rack structure. The season also marked the second year for igus® Inc., the leading manufacturer of plastic machinery components, as a product supplier and supporter of FIRST Robotics. Through its Y.E.S. (Young Engineers Support) Program, which aims to foster the mechanical design ideas of students, the company donated Energy Chain® cable carrier, iglide® plastic bearings, igubal ® spherical bearings and DryLin ® linear bearings and shafting to each participating FIRST team. The igus products were included in a kit of parts, which FIRST teams use to design, build and program a robot to perform various functions. This year, more than 10,000 students from 23 countries were exposed to igus’ products while designing and building their robots. Igus also donated, at no cost, additional products from its entire product line to more than 145 FIRST teams that contacted the company directly. “Igus’ donation to the 2006 FIRST Robotics Competition was more of a success than we anticipated,” said Carsten Blase , vice president of igus. “FIRST teams are not only recognizing igus and its products, but are beginning to understand the benefits of using plastic components. And many teams devised highly inventive ways to use them. Igus continues to be a proud sponsor of the FIRST Robotics Competition and is already looking forward to what these amazing students will accomplish next year.” FIRST Team 271 from Bay Shore High School in N.Y. used iglide J bearings, igubal spherical bearings and DryLin S aluminum shafting on its robot. The team, which advanced all the way to the Atlanta Championship, used igus products on every moving mechanism in its robot. Iglide and igubal are a lightweight, maintenance-free alternative to metal and bronze bushings. Team 1746 from North Forsyth High School in Ga. also used igus products. Energy Chain cable carrier guided and protected vital cables running up the robot’s elevator system. The team, which was undefeated at the Peachtree Regional Competition, enjoyed the reliability and lightweight feature of Energy Chain. Three teams hailing from Worcester, Mass., Las Vegas, Nev. and South Windsor, Conn. triumphed at the Championship. Awards included The Founder’s Award for the team that best exemplifies and advances the ideals and mission of FIRST; The Woodie Flowers Award bestowed upon the teacher or mentor who demonstrates teaching excellence in the areas of science, math and creative design; and the DaimlerChrysler Team Spirit Award. To learn more about FIRST, visit www.usfirst.org. To learn more about igus’ sponsorship of FIRST Robotics and its Y.E.S. Program, visit www.igus.com/yesprogram. Igus also is a product sponsor for other engineering competitions such as BEST (Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology), the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) Collegiate Design Series and the National Robotics Challenge (NRC). About igus Igus Inc., founded in 1985 and based in East Providence, R.I., develops and manufactures industry-leading plastic cable carriers, continuous-flex cables, plastic bearings and linear guide systems. With more than 28,000 products available from stock, the company meets the motion control and machinery component needs of customers worldwide. Product lines include Energy Chain Systems® to protect and house moving cables, Chainflex® continuous-flex cables, iglide self-lubricating, oil-free, plastic bearings, DryLin linear guide systems and igubal spherical bearings. For more information, contact igus at (800) 521-2747 or visit www.igus.com.