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Industrial automation with maintenance-free and durable motion plastics

Automation is only as strong as its components: for less downtime and greater efficiency.

What do you expect from automating your processes?

Cost down
Avoid downtime
Increase productivity

If a cable breaks, a guide wears out or an energy supply fails, the system stops. This leads to losses in productivity, delivery delays and high follow-up costs - especially in 24/7 operation, where every unplanned interruption costs time and money.

At the same time, manufacturing companies are under increasing pressure: a shortage of skilled workers, rising labour costs and high demands regarding quality and delivery capability. This requires automation solutions that are easy to integrate, can be expanded flexibly and operate reliably at all times.

This is exactly where igus comes into play. With our lubrication-free and maintenance-free motion plastics, we create the basis for durable, efficient automation solutions. The modular system includes ready-to-install energy supply systems, intelligent sensor technology for predictive maintenance and components for Low Cost Automation and automated guided vehicles. This reduces maintenance effort and downtime, increases system availability and reduces operating costs in the long term.

Find out more in the value paper
Industrial automation

What you will find on this page

Advantages of industrial automation with motion plastics

  • Maximum ROI thanks to durable components
    Durable energy chains and cables ensure reliable 24/7 operation and a long service life.

  • Less maintenance effort
    Lubrication-free components reduce maintenance work and unplanned failures.

  • Predictable safety with predictive maintenance
    Smart components and sensors detect wear and overload at an early stage - for fewer downtimes.

  • Risk-free scalability thanks to the modular system
    Start small and expand easily if necessary - with little integration effort.

  • Faster planning and installation
    Ready-to-install systems save time in engineering and assembly.

  • Compact for small installation spaces
    Space-saving solutions offer maximum flexibility, even in confined installation spaces.

  • Maximum planning reliability with a 4-year guarantee
    Components that have been extensively tested ensure a predictable service life and high reliability.

  • Immediately available from stock
    High ability to deliver shortens project times and prevents delays.

  • Reduce process costs with a click: smart online tools
    Configure, plan and calculate your solution quickly and easily online.

Proven in continuous operation

Lubrication-free and maintenance-free in 24/7 operation

Predictable, not reactive

Early detection of failures and predictable maintenance

Scalable from the first pilot project

Automation from €2,000 - over 600 implemented low-cost solutions

Solutions for industrial automation

For efficient industrial automation, our modular motion system combines all relevant motion components in a perfectly coordinated complete system. The tried-and-tested components minimise interface risks, shorten development times and ensure reliable operation. Thanks to technology that requires neither lubrication nor maintenance, you increase system availability and reduce maintenance costs in the long term.

Ready-to-fit energy chain systems

Ready-to-connect energy supply systems

  • Reduce assembly time by 75%
  • Less machine downtime
  • Everything from one source
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Smart maintenance

Smart maintenance

  • Save maintenance costs
  • Prevent downtime
  • Extend product service life
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Low Cost Automation

Low Cost Automation

  • Savings of 40%
  • Fast and easy integration
  • ROI in less than 12 months
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Bearing and linear technology

Bearing and linear technology

  • 100% lubrication and maintenance-free
  • Quiet, lightweight and cost-effective
  • Insensitive to external influences
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Real-world industry examples

SSI Schaefer storage and retrieval unit

SSI Schaefer storage and retrieval unit

SSI Schaefer replaces maintenance-intensive conductor lines with the guidelok energy chain from igus. The system guides cables extremely reliably, quietly and with low wear in high-bay warehouses that measure up to 45m in height. It has proven itself in more than 2,000 systems.

✅Service life of over ten years

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AGVs from KNAPP

AGVs from KNAPP

KNAPP uses igus linear axes and energy chains in its automated guided vehicles (open shuttle) for the lifting units. The solution is compact, lightweight and free from lubrication and maintenance. This reduces maintenance, weight and operating costs and allows for 24/7 operation of the vehicles.

✅Reliability in 24/7 operation

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BOY injection-moulding machines

BOY injection-moulding machines

Dr. BOY GmbH & Co. KG and igus have developed a solution for dealing with parts from their BOY 35 E series more efficiently. The combination of compact injection-moulding machines and lubrication-free and maintenance-free igus gantries automates pick & place handling of injection-moulded parts and replaces less flexible pneumatic pickers.

✅Greater productivity with fewer employees

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Tray sealer from Ishida

Ishida tray sealer

For the Ishida QX-500 tray sealer, igus uses maintenance-free and FDA-compliant bearing and lead screw technology. This extends the maintenance intervals from 600-800 to 8,000-9,000 operating hours, which saves around £3,000 in maintenance costs per machine and year.

✅Savings of £3,000 in maintenance costs per machine and year

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We can unequivocally confirm the service life of ten years and more stated by igus. I assume that the SRUs will eventually be recycled with the still-functioning guideloks.

Markus Sellen

Product Manager at SSI Schäfer

Thanks to the linear modular system, igus was able to adapt very well to our requirements when configuring the unit.

Gregor Lebernegg

Product Manager/Sales at KNAPP Industry Solutions

Customised automation solutions for your industry

From automation in production, in factories or at industrial scale, we offer tailor-made solutions for maximum efficiency.

Material handling

Material handling

Optimise shuttles, AGVs/AMRs and storage and retrieval units in an economical and scalable way

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Packaging industry

Packaging industry

Optimise thermoformers, bag forming, filling and sealing machines or labelling machines in a clean way without lubrication

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Automotive industry

Automotive industry

Optimise your press plant, car body construction, paint shop or powertrain production line in a cost-effective and scalable way

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Cleanroom

Cleanroom

Cleanroom-capable and cost-optimised for chip manufacturing, battery production or display manufacturing

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Frequently asked questions

Rising personnel costs, a shortage of skilled workers and increasing demands for speed and delivery capability are making automation a decisive competitive factor. Companies that automate their processes at an early stage increase productivity, quality and future security.

Recurring tasks such as material transport, storage and retrieval, conveyor technology, order picking, palletising as well as shuttle and AGV applications are especially suitable for automation. Repetitive processes in particular offer great potential for rapid success.

Get started with a clearly defined pilot project. A straightforward application with measurable goals allows for quick results. Proven standard components and modular systems reduce effort and risk and form the basis for later scaling.

Standardised components, pre-fitted systems and digital planning tools shorten time spent on engineering, installation and commissioning. At the same time, integration effort, sources of error and project costs are reduced.

Low-maintenance components, lubrication-free bearings and intelligent sensors increase system availability. Predictive maintenance detects wear at an early stage and prevents unplanned failures and costly production interruptions.

First, analyse your recurring processes and identify the biggest bottleneck. Start with a pilot project, use standardised, low-maintenance components and develop a scalable solution for further applications from this basis.

Industrial automation has long since ceased to be relevant for large companies only. Thanks to scalable technologies, SMEs can also increase their efficiency, reduce costs and strengthen their competitiveness in the long term.

Industrial automation uses various technologies such as industrial robots, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), sensors, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), artificial intelligence (AI) and IoT solutions. They allow for automatic control, monitoring and optimisation of production and logistics processes, increase efficiency and reduce manual intervention.

As an automation partner, igus offers a wide range of cost-effective automation solutions - from robots and cobots to AMRs and energy chains and smart components for modern industry.

Real-world examples show that durable and low-maintenance components increase system availability and reduce engineering effort. Whether storage and retrieval units, shuttle systems or automated guided vehicles - standardised solutions permit reliable 24/7 operation.