|

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


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

  • Safety Locking Device PSENmlock from Pilz

    April 29, 2025 Safe interlocking and safe guard locking in one product! The safety locking device PSENmlock offers safe interlocking and safe guard locking for personnel and process protection, up to the highest category PL e. Safe guard locking is enabled by the dual-channel control on the guard locking device. As such, the switch is particularly suitable… Read More…

  • Rockwell Automation Unveils Powerful New Service to Detect and Respond to OT Cyber Threats

    April 28, 2025 New offering delivers 24/7 real-time threat detection and response to combat rising cybersecurity risks in operational technology environments. Rockwell Automation, Inc., one of the world’s largest companies dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, announced on April 28th its Security Monitoring and Response service, which is purpose-built to deliver continuous, real-time monitoring of… Read More…