Project: Develop a chainsaw variation of an Alaskan Mill
Product used: DryLin R and DryLin S

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A student design team at the University of Minnesota used donated products from igus ® Inc. to develop a chainsaw variation of an Alaskan Mill for cutting large blocks of ice for the commercial use of Ice Occasions, a company specializing in perfecting the techniques of mass-producing ice sculptures.

The company needed a machine that could take a rough blank of ice with only two finished dimensions and make the cut for the final dimension. With each block of ice weighing upwards of 300 lbs. and giving off an excessive amount of moisture, the team needed to use corrosion-resistant components on the machine.

DryLin ® R linear bearings got the job done. The cutting tool incorporated a modified chainsaw mounted on a vertical linear motion system using four DryLin R bearings and two pieces of DryLin S aluminum shafting. The students knew that traditional ball bearings would corrode when continuously exposed to damp conditions, so the plastic construction of the DryLin R bearings was an ideal solution against unwanted rust and eventual failure.

The final product, which is still used by Ice Occasions today, delivered smooth motion that could not have been achieved without the igus components.