Product category:
In-house manufacturing exhibitions, Open Days, Roadshows, events
News Release from: Igus UK
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 07 April 2006
Energy chain maker opens new UK factory
An official open day held to mark igus UK's move to new premises was attended by over 70 customers to view assembly and stores plant equipped with the latest ergonomically designed work stations.
On Wednesday, March 29, 2006, igus UK held an official open day to mark its move to new premises Over 70 customers came, plus suppliers and members of the press for a day-long event in the working factory and offices
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 21 Jul 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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The relocation to the new industrial unit near Northamptpn means igus is now approximately ten minutes away from the M1, enabling rapid collection and delivery times.
The modern, spacious building also has ample car parking facilities and delivery vehicle access.
The ground floor sales office is enclosed in floor to ceiling glass panels to maximise light levels and add to an open working atmosphere.
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Why oil or grease bearings - go plastics
Igus reported that a recent study found half of machinery lubricants seep into soil and water or evaporates, whereas tribo-optimised plastics bearings need no oil or grease.
Plain bearings do not need oil or grease
The iglidur plain bearings from igus are tribologically optimised so that they run without any oil or grease, therefore no contaminants escape into the environment.
All staff are equipped with the latest ergonomically designed work stations and have the same flat screen computer monitors and office chairs.
The sales teams both on the ground floor and in the telemarketing office above are motivated by a large display screen, which monitors call data in real time, including inbound and outbound call rates and waiting time.
The aim is to improve call figures by using live statistics.
The business is labour intensive by its bespoke nature.
The shop floor area is divided by racks of components and each department can customise according to customer requirements.
All visitors on the open day were taken on a factory tour, which began by showing them assembly stations where the company's modular energy chain cable carriers are put together.
Next, they were shown the iglidur storage and packaging area, where the company's polymer plain, maintenance free bearings are stored, packed and checked by another individual before dispatch.
Then, it was onto the DryLin storage area, from where lengths of linear guide rail are supplied in 4m lengths as standard, but also in essentially any length the customer desires.
The modular nature of the DryLin range was demonstrated by the associated assembly area for this product, where it was easy to see how a basic guide system had been developed into the latest ZLW linear belt drive actuator, for example.
This part of the tour then encompassed the cutting and machining area, where bearing rail is cut to size and deburred on-site.
A special packing area is dedicated to bagging products up on a high volume basis with a customer's own barcodes.
There is also a 100m long preparation area for long travel cable and energy chain configurations.
igus has developed a method of rolling the fully assembled system onto a drum, on which it can be dispatched.
A whole aisle in the 28,000ft2 factory is dedicated to igus' 'Chainflex' cables, which are sold 'cost effectively' by the metre, in many varieties and combinations.
All igus cable is uniquely developed for flexibility and durability and is the only cable igus will guarantee in its energy chains.
The new site also has a dedicated energy chain trough storage area.
The trough is designed to guide energy chains in long travel applications, such as on cranes.
It is modular and put together manually to suit each individual requirement.
igus has analysed new methods of packaging and recycling materials, which have led to quicker dispatch times and increased environmental friendliness.
A dedicated 'ReadyChain' assembly area, where energy chains are fully harnessed as complete systems for customers and configured with all requisite cables and connectors.
A system can be supplied, ready made to customer specifications, fully tested and with an igus guarantee.
This initiative reduces cost and time for the customer and also reduces the number of suppliers the customer has to deal with.
igus employ a highly trained workforce of skilled electricians in this department to ensure the highest standards.
A workshop area is also designated to the installation team, who are qualified to install these complete systems on site.
Guenter Blase, CEO of igus worldwide, cut an orange ribbon to officially open the new UK headquarters.
He praised the efforts of the UK subsidiary in his speech, saying it had done a "Great job". Request free introductory details about products from Igus UK ...
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