The igus® test laboratory

Our facilities for testing applications and materials cover a total of 3,800m². Every business sector has its own test laboratory, however we test some products together on one area. For example, 1,500m² is dedicated to testing chainflex cables in our own energy chains. For especially long travels, 2,000m² of outdoor space is available. iglidur plain bearings, drylin linear bearings, and our Low Cost Automation components are tested in an area of over 300m². The latter is tested under real conditions.

To be able to develop new cleanroom-compatible products quicker, we operate our own cleanroom laboratory with an ISO Class 1 cleanroom system in cooperation with the Fraunhofer IPA. An outdoor testing area, a laboratory for noise tests and the climatic chamber with -40°C completes our test area. To achieve maximum realistic conditions, we also test customer applications and conduct industry tests.

What happens to the test data?

Use of testing data does not stop after development. We have been developing innovative online tools since 2001 and sensor-based smart plastics since 2016, which are based on the database of our test laboratory results. With these online tools, the economic efficiency and safety of our products can be determined quickly and very easily online all round the clock. This means a high degree of transparency for our customers, enabling them to find the most cost-effective, functioning solution to their problem. More than 40 tools are available to you free of charge.

• Service life calculators
• Product comparison configurators
• Product finders
• Product configurators
• CAD configurators
• Predictive maintenance with i.Cee

How many tests are conducted in the test laboratory?

Annually, a large number of tests and material examinations are conducted at the numerous test facilities:

• Out of over 15,000 tests, around 4,000 for e-chains and chainflex and around 11,000 for dry-tech (rotating, pivoting, linear, tumbling, heated, under   water, and so on.)
• 450 test rigs for bearings
• 10 billion e-chain cycles
• 3,500 tested cables
• 400 customer-specific examinations

What are tribo-polymers?

Tribology is the science of friction and wear. Tribologically optimised plastics are those that exhibit minimal friction behaviour and low wear rates. Base polymers, solid lubricants and reinforcements are combined in our dry-tech products in such a way that the bearings, unlike those made of metal, do not require additional lubrication, all desired characteristics are met and only the slightest friction, heat generation and abrasion occur." - Dr.-Ing. Ralf Selzer, Head of Research and Development of plain bearings

Tribology is the core of our motion plastics

The use of wear-resistant materials and maintenance-free components not only saves money but also reduces the risk of wear-related equipment failure or extensive maintenance work. igus has acquired considerable know-how in tribology and a large amount of data in the test laboratory – the best conditions for all mechanical engineers. The reason: machines today are often fully utilised in three-shift operation. In the light of the growing challenges, searching for the tribologically optimised component is time well spent for every mechanical engineer.  

iglidur plain bearings

e-chains energy supplies

chainflex cables

drylin linear technology

robolink Low Cost Automation

Cleanroom laboratory

Cold chamber

Outdoor testing area