Polymer specialist igus has developed a new tooling method for injection moulding which can get custom designed parts delivered in less than 24hrs. As there are no minimum order quantities, speedigus is suitable for one offs, prototyping, low volumes and bridge tooling.
Polymer specialist igus has developed a new tooling method for injection moulding which can get custom designed parts delivered in less than 24hrs. As there are no minimum order quantities, speedigus is suitable for one offs, prototyping, low volumes and bridge tooling.
"While standard tool manufacture can take 4-8 weeks and be only available for minimum orders of normally around 5,000 pieces," explains Matt Aldridge of igus UK, "with speedigus you can get a single part in as little as one day. All we need is the required quantity and a 3D CAD file of the part."
igus currently manufacture speedigus parts in eight common iglidur materials (iglidur G, J, W300, X, M250, P, A180 and H2) as well as igumid G, the igus E-Chain material; the designer selects the material best suited to the application, using the simple online selection tool: <link http: www.igus.co.uk speedigus _blank external-link-new-window>www.igus.co.uk/speedigus
As iglidur materials are maintenance and lubricant free, long lasting and have a low coefficient of friction, the majority of speedigus parts manufactured to date are custom design components that have a bearing function.
"Because speedigus uses standard igus materials, the igus useful service life calculation program is still valid," adds Aldridge. However, engineers can also draw upon other features and benefits of iglidur materials, such as the combination of lightweight with electrical conductivity, chemical resistance or high temperatures. The igumid E-Chain material additionally offers design possibilities for structural parts, such as brackets, side plate or covers.
Speedigus is ideal for orders up to a few thousand parts, prototypes or one-offs and can accommodate parts that fit into an envelope up to 475 x 750 x 200 mm, with wall thicknesses down to 0.5 mm. All that is required for a quotation is a 3D CAD file, preferably a STEP file, and the required quantity.
Standard speedigus tooling lead time is fifteen days from placement of order, but parts can be produced in as little as one day. Every speedigus quotation comes with full technical component information including lead time options - tooling charges for the speedigus systems start from £1,000 and unit costs are from just £0.10. As part of this service speedigus custom tooling is kept onsite ad infinitum, if required, for repeat orders as and when required. If production should move to high volumes, then igus would manufacture a standard production tool, and unit costs would then reduce considerably.
