igus unveils ‘enjoyneering experience’ at special event
07/10/2024 igus UK Ltd
Process and Control Today’s Greg Horsley had the pleasure of attending and reporting on this special event which was held last month at igus UK’s headquarters in Northampton.
Matthew Aldridge, Managing Director of igus UK, kickstarted the proceedings with an in-depth presentation on the new igus UK enjoyneering experience, which highlighted the start of an ongoing campaign to provide a physical space for customers to see how igus motion plastics can save time and money in the machines they build or use.
As part of the event, two igus customers (Automation & Robotics and CNC Guru) gave first-hand accounts of how they use motion plastics in their businesses. Both spoke of how igus motion plastics have been integral in their operations and highlighting the benefits of these materials in modern machinery. Their accounts provided invaluable insight into how igus products improve efficiency and also contribute to cost savings.
The enjoyneering experience
A key focus of the event was the special opening of the enjoyneering experience, where a ribbon was cut, and then a chance for attendees to get interactive with the latest motion plastics products in a new showroom-style display. The office space has been transformed into a ‘hub’ of activity, with products for hundreds of industries and applications on display.
Another focus was on their new GO ZERO LUBRICATION initiative which highlights the company’s dedication to sustainability and is further evidence of their efforts to achieve zero waste, reduce carbon emissions and promote the use of recyclable materials wherever possible.
Factory Tour
A guided factory tour followed where I had the chance to see their semi-automated readycable production line and how sub-assemblies can be assembled and shipped within 24 hours. Managing Director, Matthew Aldridge, said “this year we have invested hundreds of thousands of pounds in our Northampton factory to help us meet the increasing demand for igus products from UK plc”. This reinforces the company’s reputation for efficiency and responsiveness to market demands.
Customer test area: Robotics & Automation
Marking the end of the tour, was a visit to the customer test area which gave attendees the chance to see advanced robotic solutions in action and better understand their role within modern manufacturing. igus® RBTX specialists were present to provide detailed information on the range of automated solutions available.
Another highlight was the interactive cobot desk displaying the best in automation systems and gave attendees the opportunity to see real life examples of these systems in action. The ReBeL® cobot took centre stage as the world’s first collaborative robot made entirely from high-performance plastic and is also the lightest in its class, opening up completely new fields of application for service robotics where traditional robotic solutions may be too heavy.
And finally…RCYL bike rides
After a festival-style lunch of freshly cooked wood-fired pizzas followed by ice-cream and a chance to network with other attendees, Matthew Aldridge and Sales Manager Dean Aylott gave accompanied bike rides around the Brackmills area in Northampton giving us the chance to experience first-hand the igus® bike named ‘RCYL’ and made predominantly of recycled ocean waste plastic. This is yet another example of igus’ enjoyneering capabilities and their commitment to sustainability and the environment.
Each year, millions of bikes are sent to landfill after rusting beyond repair. RCYL was designed with this problem in mind and provides a sustainable, lasting alternative to a standard metal framed bike. Lubrication and maintenance-free, RCYL is revolutionising the bicycle industry and demonstrating the endless possibilities that high-performance plastics provide.
A vision for a more sustainable future
As the event came to a close, I was definitely left feeling more positive about the future of the environment in the hands of igus. The event successfully displayed how the company is not only committed to leading the way in motion plastics with its innovation and forward-thinking but also to taking a strong lead in sustainability in its processes.
The link below will take you to all of the relevant igus® sites and their social media.
Print this articleFor more information, please contact:
igus UK Ltd
Caswell Road
Northampton
Northamptonshire
NN4 7PW
Tel: +44 (0)1604 677240
Email: sales@igus.co.uk
Web: https://www.igus.co.uk
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