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The history of igus

From a back yard in Cologne out into the world

igus 2023

igus sales

€1.115 billion

Sales

igus employees worldwide

4,600

Employees worldwide

igus locations and distributors

31

Locations and 50 distributors: represented in over 80 countries

igus customers

188,000

Customers

igus parts

243,000

Products from stock

igus injection moulding machines

800

Injection moulding machines

Find out more about igus

igus 2022

Chainge platform: industrial plastic recycling for everyone

In 2019, we launched our plastic energy chain recycling program. Since then, customers have been able to send us worn-out energy chains. We weigh the material and issue a voucher for it. What is special about the program is that we take back not only our own energy supply systems, but those of other manufacturers as well if the chains are made of plastic. We shred the material or send it to external recycling services. But then we thought: There is still more to do. So we introduced our chainge platform in 2022. We want to facilitate recycling in industry and promote the circular economy. To this end, we offer recycled material (recyclate) through our marketplace.

The igus Chainge platform: easy industrial plastic recycling

igus until 2021

igus:bike - A new bike for a new future

2021 - igus:bike

A new bike for a new future

Company owner Frank Blase has long dreamed of manufacturing a no-lubrication product from rust-free plastics for moving not industry, but end users. As is so often the case, the idea was prompted by a coincidence: he noticed rusting, high-maintenance rental bicycles at a seaside holiday resort. Could motion plastics help? In 2021, igus worked with MTRL, a Dutch start-up, to design a bicycle made of plastic – the igus:bike. With moving parts from igus, the developers are charting new territory. Rim brake, freewheel, planetary gearbox, pulley, wheel bearing, crankset – all are made of igus high-performance plastic.

igus® FastLine

2021 - FastLine

Custom injection moulded plain bearings delivered in 7 days

When market demand for a product is high, manufacturers and their suppliers are called for. Customised parts, such as plain bearings in special shapes, have to be delivered quickly and easily. But it is not unusual for the production of special parts by injection moulding to take several weeks. With the FastLine Service, lubrication-free plastic plain bearings in special dimensions can be supplied at low cost within just a few days.

2019 - RBTX lean robotix

Platform for users and suppliers of low-cost robotics components

RBTX gives igus a platform that brings together users and suppliers of low-cost robotics components quickly and easily. Users can assemble a low-cost robotics solution to match their requirements and budget. Suppliers of robotics components can present their products to a larger public in the new marketplace.

smart plastics e-chain and chainflex cables

2016 - smart plastics

Predictive maintenance with high-performance polymers

igus components are wear-resistant and always last longer in applications, leaving less maintenance work for entrepreneurs. With its smart plastics, igus introduces sensors and transmission systems that detect wear in good time, emitting a corresponding signal to allow planned replacement. This prevents the worst-case scenario: system damage or failure. It saves time, trouble, and money and increases productivity.

3D printer with filament

2016 - 3D printing service

igus prints wear-resistant parts made of high-performance polymers

Filaments with wear resistance that is up to 50 times that of comparable products and 3D-printed parts that can cope with just as many movements as injection-moulded parts: this was the promise with which igus started its 3D printing service. Laser sintering powder, printed injection-moulding tools, and free online services were added. The capability of calculating part service life online is the only one of its kind. igus keeps its promise.

iglidur on tour Smart car at the beach in Brazil

2014 - iglidur on tour

A Smart car with 56 iglidur plain bearings goes on a world tour

On iglidur's 30th anniversary, a Smart car was fitted with iglidur plain bearings and sent on a journey around the world. It travelled through 30 countries in 14 months. This campaign demonstrated the many possible uses of igus polymer plain bearings and the performance of iglidur materials.

igus factory, including the last extension

2012 - Second factory extension

The igus factory in Porz-Lind in Cologne gets bigger once again

Günter Blase may have expected this in 1994. He probably hoped for it, at least. igus GmbH continues to grow and is again in need of more space. Fortunately, this was foreseen in the planning phase, and production areas and desk workstations are being shifted once more in the Spicher Strasse buildings. The forward-looking igus factory architecture of Sir Nicholas Grimshaw makes it possible.

drylin E

2011 - drylin E linear axes

drylin linear axes now with drive and motor

"E" as in "electric", you would think. igus now supplies drives and motors suitable for drylin linear axes. In the online shop, the customer can now configure a complete linear axis, including motor, connection cables, and attachments, with just a few clicks. The product finder also calculates individual linear axis price, motor utilisation rate, and service life measured in strokes. So here, "E" could also stand for "easy configuration".

iglidur bar stock

2010 - Bar stock made of iglidur materials

The first bar stock made of proven iglidur materials

igus already has high-performance polymers in many different forms. In 2010, igus GmbH thought, why not bar stock as well? Since then, iglidur plastic bar stock has been available in the form of plates and round and hollow bars. The advantage is that bar stock enables customers to make their own customised parts themselves and use the advantages associated with many different iglidur materials. As an alternative, igus offers a manufacturing service and machines iglidur bar stock according to the customer's requirements.

twisterband

2010 - twisterband energy chain

Guiding cables reliably and safely where 7000-degree rotations occur

The twisterband gives igus its own energy chain for rotating energy supply. With a rotary movement of 7,000 degrees in horizontal installation positions and up to 3,000 degrees in vertical ones, it is a low-cost solution for rotary movement in extremely small spaces. While the design looks futuristic, it is very easy to handle. Spoiler alert: in 2011, this energy chain will win the red dot design award.

robolink W gripper arm

2009 - Start of robolink

The development of low-cost robot arms begins

robolink W was the first low-cost igus articulated arm robot. Development began with the purchase of a patent for an articulated arm with rope drive. Just a few years later, robolink development bounded forward with D-series development. The drive was the main difference to the preceding models. The robolink D articulated robot used direct drives for movement.

Size of igus factory increased by 60 per cent

2009 - Factory extension

The flexible structure starts being used.

The forward-looking igus factory design with its yellow pylons is now paying off. igus is increasing its factory size by a whopping 60%. More machines, more tools, more storage space – there is room for it all in the airy building. And there is still enough space for further expansion.

xiros ball bearings

2008 - xiros ball bearing

No lubrication thanks to high-performance polymers

Even a child is familiar with ball bearings: found in roller skates and children's scooters, they commonplace components. Tiresome lubrication is something all users come into contact with at some stage. This is where igus also went back to its box of polymer tricks, developing the first xiros ball bearings with friction-optimised plastics. "xiros" comes from the Greek word for "dry". These products also require no lubrication or maintenance. They weigh less than metal ball bearings and, with their greater hygiene, are suitable for a much wider range of applications.

drylin W linear guide

2003 - drylin W profile guides

The starting signal for the extensive modular system of linear guides

drylin W was the first igus profile guide. It, too, features sliding elements that require absolutely no lubrication or maintenance. Its resistance to dirt, dust, and moisture makes it suitable for many difficult environments. Its very quiet operation is a further advantage, especially for long periods of use when many machines are running at the same time. The modular system makes it easy for igus customers to design the right linear guide. All variants are wear-resistant.

triflex energy chain

2003 - triflex energy chain

igus develops the first e-chains specially for industrial robots

Industry is automating many areas of production, and this involves robots. But robots have a large radius of movement, so giving them safe, reliable energy supply systems means meeting special new requirements. igus presents the first special robot solutions that are very adaptable and can cope with torsion and round-the-clock operation. The triflex is an in-house product series. Cables that can cope with the same conditions will follow later.

igus until 1999

igus subsidiary in China

1999 - Subsidiary established in China

A representative office in the Land of Smiles

China was increasingly becoming a worthwhile market for igus. Energy chains, cables and plain bearings from Porz-Lind in Cologne were in demand here as well. For better coordination and management of business relations, a subsidiary was set up in China just before the turn of the millennium. Today it is the largest foreign subsidiary.

igubal self-aligning bearings

1994 - Introduction of self-adjusting bearings

igubal bearings expand the igus range of products

Self-aligning bearings were the logical consequence of the continuous material refinement and the increasing range of possible applications. Manufactured with the two-component injection-moulding method, the housing is formed over the inner spherical ball while remaining movable. The igubal product range continues to grow, but whatever new materials and shapes are used, some things remain the same: the bearings require no lubrication or maintenance and cost less than metal bearings.

igus factory in Porz-Lind in Cologne

1994 - Move to Porz-Lind in Cologne

igus grows - a bigger factory becomes necessary

The old factory ran out of room, since igus was growing continuously in all areas. It needed more production and staff space – not just for a few years, but for the long term as a fixed base, a building that could grow with the company. Renowned British architect Sir Nicholas Grimshaw was fascinated by the briefing and the solar system image used to reflect the corporate culture. This gave rise to the new igus factory with its striking yellow pylons. Its openness, flexibility, and an unusual design that communicates brightness has been making an impression on employees and passers-by alike ever since.

drylin R shaft guide

1993 - The first shaft guide

igus now offers drylin R shaft guides

igus customers were increasingly asking for solutions for linear motion. They wanted to make movement quiet and lubrication-free, with all the familiar advantages from iglidur plain bearings. A liner with clearance compensation and made of very low-friction material was the first product of this kind to go to market. The name drylin itself indicated its purpose: to serve as a dry linear guide, one that is lubrication-free.

readychain with different chainflex cables

1993 - Start of readychain

igus introduces harnessed energy chains that are ready for immediate installation

At igus, everyone has always asked this important question: How can we improve things for the customer? One answer of many was the readychain, an energy chain harnessed in advance with the desired cables in the right dimensions, making it ready for immediate installation. And that's not all. Ordering was made easier for the customer, since now only one order had to be submitted. The readychain can be delivered and installed faster, needs less space in logistics, and costs less to produce.

xigus 1.0 - First electronic catalogue from igus

1991 - Introduction of an electronic catalogue

Digitisation extends to the catalogues in the form of xigus 1.0

Catalogues in paper form no longer came up to the standard that igus had set itself. Customers were to be given more information and also be able to find the energy chains for their individual application. The first e-chain expert was programmed and published on CD-ROM, a simulation program that could suggest the right configuration and offer different forms of interior separation. An important step towards "Moving energy made easy".

First chainflex cable CF1

1989 - First cable

igus develops the chainflex CF1

The e-chain was being used increasingly in industry, so it was inevitable that suitable cables would become a focus of attention. Frank Blase often heard from customers that poor cable quality led to corkscrew effects, core rupture, and loop formation in instances of acceleration and high speeds and cycle numbers. igus had already addressed this problem with e-chains. So the company decided to develop chainflex, its own tribologically optimised cables with innovative bundled stranding, thus assuming responsibility for an entire system consisting of energy chain and cables.

R68: the first e-tube from igus

1986 - Development of the first energy tube on the market

More protection for cables

Wherever wood is machined, there is always lots of chips and dust. In more and more branches of industry, e-chains are successfully protecting cables against the many stresses that movement involves. The R68 energy tube was developed as a cable-friendly system for the woodworking and material-transportation industry. Its enclosed design provides the best possible protection for cables in rough environments. And it makes installation easy.

igus solar system

1986 - igus solar system

Frank Blase develops the igus solar system

People make igus what it is today. Not just employees, but customers as well. To illustrate the igus philosophy and make it easier to internalise, Frank Blase developed the igus solar system, which visually represents the igus GmbH corporate structure. It includes everyone and everything: teams, team leaders, and managers and executives, with the customer as the vital core of the company's existence. After all, it is the customer who, like the sun, is the source of energy. Everything interacts in a system oriented to the rules of chaos – one that is guaranteed not to be static.

igus subsidiary in the USA

1985 - Branch established in the USA

igus GmbH travels across the pond

By this time, Frank Blase had joined the company and saw an opportunity to achieve success in the USA faster with the range of plain bearings. Two additional materials, iglidur X and iglidur M250, were developed and assigned the necessary dimensions in inches. The start in Rhode Island however was more than sluggish. In 1986, younger brother Carsten Blase took over and Frank returned to Germany. Today, igus USA is one of the largest of the 35 subsidiaries that exist abroad.

iglidur Q plain bearings

1983 - First plain bearing material

iglidur G is presented at the "K" trade show for plastics

Günter Blase is known for his inquiring mind and pioneering spirit. So it was only a matter of time before he developed his own materials for his plain bearings instead of relying on suppliers. iglidur G was the first material that he used to make plain bearings with the injection-moulding method. The iglidur G plain bearing, also called "the classic all-rounder" at igus, is still part of the company's product range today. It features versatile usability and, like all the company's plain bearings, requires no lubrication or maintenance.

First igus catalogue for energy supply products

1979 - Catalogue for energy chains

igus GmbH publishes its first e-chain catalogue

The innovative energy chain made of high-quality polymers had now been refined quite a bit, and several variants had become available. For effective marketing, the first energy chain catalogue was designed and printed. The eye-catching double-spread design with spiral binder was the forerunner of all of today's igus advertising material and printed documents.

igus factory in Lochermuehle with injection-moulding machine

1977 - New headquarters

Move to Lochermühle in Bergisch Gladbach

The double garage in Cologne-Mülheim soon became too small. In Bergisch Gladbach near Cologne, Günter Blase found a suitable building in the historic industrial area of Lochermühle. Located above the old grounds where the first mills had settled as early as 1595, due to the location next to the river Strunde, there existed exactly the right entrepreneurial spirit to lend impetus to igus as a company.

Series E20 energy chain

1971 - First energy chain

igus develops the first e-chain made of polymers

The first plastic energy chain is symptomatic of igus GmbH: it was developed because Günter Blase listened carefully to Schlafhorst, a textile manufacturer who was looking for a new concept for his textile machines that would protect cables on long travels in the harsh environment of his factory. igus was already successfully manufacturing plain bearings from high-quality plastic. The company worked with Schlafhorst to create the 20 series, achieving an automation milestone.

igus 1964/65

Getting started is always difficult – the founding of igus GmbH in 1964

"Give me your most difficult part, and I will find a solution," Günter Blase told Pierburg. He had to take a risk in order to win over the company, which was his very first customer. He had two children at home to care for. Money was tight. He had just set up igus with his wife Margret and still had to buy his first injection moulding machine. The order from Pierburg was a critical one.

Günter Blase in 1964 in his office at igus

The first product, 1965: a valve plug for Pierburg

And Günter Blase received that enquiry from Pierburg. The most complicated part turned out to be a valve plug for a carburettor. In 1965, no one would have thought of using plastic to make the small component, let alone injection-moulding it. The manufacturing process was simply too complicated. For Günter Blase, this was no reason to lose heart. He went into his double garage and experimented until the first perfect plastic valve plug emerged from the injection-moulding machine.

The first igus product: a valve plug for Pierburg

igus in motion

From the very beginning, life at igus was captured on film. The video shows a compilation of old recordings and Günter Blase interview excerpts.

This provides a little insight into the early years and shows how Günter Blase got into plastic and what was important to him from the start: the customers and the advantages igus products can give them!

Find out even more about igus now

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