igus
The future of automotive interiors
Imagine getting into a car with rotating seats that transform into reclining beds at the touch of a button, a steering wheel that disappears into the dashboard, worktables and screens that fold out automatically: this is the future of automotive interiors and igus® is at the forefront of developments, providing advanced components for vehicles old and new. Every year, igus® manufactures more than 150
million plain bearings, linear units, energy chains and sub-assemblies for the car industry – and the trend has been rising steadily for many years. Typical examples of applications include electric sliding doors, multifunctional centre consoles and various types of seat adjustment: manual and electric, horizontal, rotating or vertical. Motorists demand reliability in vehicles and igus® has
been developing solutions for decades, all of which remove the need for external lubrication of the bearing points providing long lasting, low weight and damping properties. Dave Spence, igus® engineer and automotive specialist
said: “Our polymer plain bearings are customisable in geometry and up to seven times lighter than conventional metal bushings with PTFE sliding layers.”
They are cost-effective and extremely tough, making them the ideal solution for many applications, e.g. in seats and consoles. Comfortable, smooth travel is synonymous with modern vehicles, and it makes an impression when a display extends automatically, or a seat gently slides into the right place. Squeaking and rattling is a thing of the past and igus® products are part of this transformation. “Our processes are designed to supply car manufacturers
and suppliers with the exact components they need within a short period of time,” added Dave. igus® designers prove this with online confi gurators
and also with more complex projects. Recently, in a joint project with a Tier 1 supplier, a complete centre console was ready for volume production in four months instead of one year, as was previously the case for the customer.
3D printed vintage car parts Other manufacturing processes, such as 3D printing can benefi t a range of applications, but a particularly niche area is old and rare vehicles. Sourcing replacement parts in good condition is becoming increasingly diffi cult and 3D printing sought-after parts can provide an exact replica, easily made and cost-eff ective. At igus®, iglidur® i6 laser sintering material is used as one of the most wear-resistant materials on off er.
ALL THINGS BUSINESS | 10
MOTORS
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