|

New igus Smart Fixed Flange Bearings Unlock Predictive Maintenance

January 17, 2024

New igus Smart Fixed Flange Bearings Unlock Predictive Maintenance

Intelligent two- and four-hole fixed flange bearings with wireless sensing capabilities for wear detection

igus®, a global manufacturer of motion plastics, has developed intelligent two- and four-hole fixed flange bearings with wireless sensing capabilities for wear detection, enabling condition monitoring and preventing costly machine breakdowns.

Constructed from self-lubricating, high-performance plastic, the bearings feature an integrated abrasion sensor, thin circuit board and cableless battery supply. Wear interrupts the board’s conductor paths, causing the electronics lose the signal. The sensor then transmits a long-range network signal to an igus i.Cee­ switch cabinet module for analysis, including the percentage of abrasion. Over time, the sensor wears away layer by layer — parallel to the bearing’s running surface — and will continue to transmit signals on the bearing’s condition. Users can see the remaining service life and maintenance requirements via a web-based dashboard, which they can access from a PC, tablet or smartphone.

Previously, worn fixed flange bearings would have been easy to overlook, leading to expensive system failure. “This scenario is no longer science fiction,” says Thomas Preissner, Head of Business Unit, igubal® Spherical Bearings, at igus. “As part of our smart plastics range, we are gradually equipping plain bearings made of high-performance plastics with networked sensors. Our two- and four-hole fixed flanged bearings from the igubal series now also enable condition monitoring and predictive maintenance to prevent unforeseen damage.”

Thomas Preissner, Head of Business Unit, igubal® Spherical Bearings, at igus

More Information

For more information, please visit www.igus.com

Related Product

igus® Launches AI-Powered igusGO App To Help Users Find the Right Motion Plastics Solutions for Their Industrial Application

The app allows users to take a simple photo of their equipment or application — whether it’s a coffee machine, bottling line or excavator. Using AI, the app then recommends suitable igus bearings, linear guides, cable carriers and other products to reduce costs and extend machine service life.

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • Bossard is Scaling Front Line Flexibility

    September , 2025 Experience Smart Factory Solutions that Adapt to Your Operators’ Needs at FABTECH 2025 By Krystie Johnston Bossard is bringing the future of assembly and inventory management to FABTECH 2025 from September 8 – 11. Visit them at Booth #B13000, at the North Hall in the Automation Pavilion at McCormick Place in Chicago… Read More…

  • Festo’s Customer Solutions Group: Tailor-Made Added Value for Maximum Success

    Festo’s Customer Solutions Group: Tailor-Made Added Value for Maximum Success

    September 4, 2025 By Krystie Johnston Festo is a global leader in the motion industry, and for more than a century, they have focused on innovations that support their customers across industries and around the world. Their commitment to this shows in every facet of their company, from Corporate and Didactic to their automation products,… Read More…


Featured Article

Revolutionizing Material Movement with Autonomous Mobile Robots

Revolutionizing Material Movement with Autonomous Mobile Robots

In today’s fast-paced manufacturing and logistics industries, the need for efficient and flexible material movement solutions has never been greater. Traditional methods like conveyor systems, forklifts, and manual pushcarts have served us well, but they come with limitations.

That’s why Omron is thrilled to announce the launch of their game-changing MD Series of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). Read more


Products

  • I/O System IP20 Maximum Efficiency in the Panel from Weidmüller 

    September 4, 2025 Maximum efficiency, great system performance and space-optimised: meet the most innovative I/O system on the market. Handle your projects with maximum performance. u-remote speeds up your installation process and makes your machines start-up faster. The seamlessly pluggable system means you can rely on your intuition and trust that there will be no… Read More…

  • S8VK-X24024A Switch Mode Power Supply from Omron

    September 5, 2025 A DIN rail power supply with Ethernet/IP and Modbus TCP communications for continuous monitoring The S8VK-X is an advanced DIN rail power supply that provides real-time monitoring of the power supply life, voltage, current, and peak current. These built-in features allow predictive maintenance to be performed on industrial equipment. Omron provides a… Read More…