igus donates plastic machinery components to FIRST Robotics teams

igus donates various plastic machinery components to 1,300 racking 'n' rolling FIRST Robotics teams

Company announces its continued support of multinational robotics competition

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – January 8, 2007– FIRST® (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics students learned their robots will have to “Rack ‘N’ Roll” for the 16 th annual FIRST Robotics Competition, which kicked off at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, N.H. on Saturday. The “Rack ‘N’ Roll” game challenges 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. FIRST officials unveiled the game theme to 1,300 participating teams, all of which have the opportunity to use various plastic machinery components donated by igus® Inc., the leading developer of Energy Chain Systems®, Chainflex® continuous-flex cables and iglide® plastic bearings.

FIRST teams hailing from six different countries and—for the first time—every state in the U.S., watched the festivities via NASA TV broadcast or web cast from various regional kick-off locations. At the event, participants received a kit of common parts, including components from igus, which they will use to build their robot. The students also had the opportunity to see this year’s game field, where in six weeks, their completed robots will go head-to-head in an intense competition.

Igus has been a diamond-level supplier for the FIRST Robotics Competition since it joined as an official product sponsor last season. For the 2007 competition, the company donated a wide range of products, including:

micro Energy Chain® cable carrier;
iglide J plastic plain bearings;
igubal® spherical bearings;
DryLin® R linear bearings; and
DryLin S aluminum shafting.

Two years ago, igus launched the Y.E.S. (Young Engineers Support) Program, to foster the mechanical design ideas of students with a passion for engineering by providing free product samples. As a product sponsor of FIRST, igus is able to aid FIRST in promoting science and technology among tens of thousands of students, while at the same time educating FIRST participants about the merits and benefits of plastic components.

“Igus is firmly committed to aiding FIRST in its quest to promote the importance of science and technology among today’s youth,” said Carsten Blase, vice president of igus. “The FIRST Robotics Competition enables students to step outside of the classroom and into a world of innovation and fun. Igus sees FIRST not only as a catalyst for educating students about the merits of plastic components, but also as a powerful partner in encouraging kids to pursue careers in the fields of engineering, science and technology.”

With the 2007 FIRST Robotics season officially underway, igus encourages teams to visit the Y.E.S. website at www.igus.com/yesprogram to request additional products or technical assistance. Igus also supplies FIRST participants with components outside of the common kit of parts, at no cost to them. Students using igus products on their FIRST robot are invited to contact Courtney Toomey, Y.E.S. Program administrator, at ctoomey@igus.co to have their FIRST experience featured on the Y.E.S. website.

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.

About FIRST
Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology and engineering. With the support of many of the world’s most well-known companies, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST Robotics Competition for high school students and the FIRST LEGO® League for children 9-14 years old. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.

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	Download now Hi-Res/Lo-Res View the entire igus photo gallery and get other images and captions for print or online publication! Go now!			igus donates various plastic machinery components to 1,300 racking 'n' rolling FIRST Robotics teams *Company announces its continued support of multinational robotics competition* EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – January 8, 2007– FIRST® (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics students learned their robots will have to “Rack ‘N’ Roll” for the 16 th annual FIRST Robotics Competition, which kicked off at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, N.H. on Saturday. The “Rack ‘N’ Roll” game challenges 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. FIRST officials unveiled the game theme to 1,300 participating teams, all of which have the opportunity to use various plastic machinery components donated by igus® Inc., the leading developer of Energy Chain Systems®, Chainflex® continuous-flex cables and iglide® plastic bearings. FIRST teams hailing from six different countries and—for the first time—every state in the U.S., watched the festivities via NASA TV broadcast or web cast from various regional kick-off locations. At the event, participants received a kit of common parts, including components from igus, which they will use to build their robot. The students also had the opportunity to see this year’s game field, where in six weeks, their completed robots will go head-to-head in an intense competition. Igus has been a diamond-level supplier for the FIRST Robotics Competition since it joined as an official product sponsor last season. For the 2007 competition, the company donated a wide range of products, including: micro Energy Chain® cable carrier; iglide J plastic plain bearings; igubal® spherical bearings; DryLin® R linear bearings; and DryLin S aluminum shafting. Two years ago, igus launched the Y.E.S. (Young Engineers Support) Program, to foster the mechanical design ideas of students with a passion for engineering by providing free product samples. As a product sponsor of FIRST, igus is able to aid FIRST in promoting science and technology among tens of thousands of students, while at the same time educating FIRST participants about the merits and benefits of plastic components. “Igus is firmly committed to aiding FIRST in its quest to promote the importance of science and technology among today’s youth,” said Carsten Blase, vice president of igus. “The FIRST Robotics Competition enables students to step outside of the classroom and into a world of innovation and fun. Igus sees FIRST not only as a catalyst for educating students about the merits of plastic components, but also as a powerful partner in encouraging kids to pursue careers in the fields of engineering, science and technology.” With the 2007 FIRST Robotics season officially underway, igus encourages teams to visit the Y.E.S. website at www.igus.com/yesprogram to request additional products or technical assistance. Igus also supplies FIRST participants with components outside of the common kit of parts, at no cost to them. Students using igus products on their FIRST robot are invited to contact Courtney Toomey, Y.E.S. Program administrator, at ctoomey@igus.co to have their FIRST experience featured on the Y.E.S. website. 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. About FIRST Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology and engineering. With the support of many of the world’s most well-known companies, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST Robotics Competition for high school students and the FIRST LEGO® League for children 9-14 years old. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.