Plastic, Maintenance-Free Solutions For Material Handling

igus® components are used across a wide range of material handling and warehouse automation equipment, including conveyors, AS/RS systems (automated storage and retrieval systems), AMRs (autonomous mobile robots), AGVs (automated guided vehicles), palletizing robots, sortation systems, lifts, and packaging machinery. Our motion plastics solutions help improve reliability while reducing maintenance requirements in high-cycle automated environments.

Downtime can be costly in modern distribution centers that operate around the clock. Maintenance-free components help reduce service intervals, eliminate lubrication tasks, and improve equipment uptime. This allows maintenance teams to focus on critical operations instead of routine re-greasing and component replacement.

iglide® bearings are self-lubricating, meaning they are designed to operate without external grease or oil. They are lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and can help reduce maintenance requirements. In many material handling applications, they also perform well in dusty environments where traditional lubricants may attract contaminants.

Yes. igus® offers components specifically designed for robotic systems, including cable carriers, chainflex® robot cables, linear guides, plain bearings, and motion components. These solutions are commonly used in robotic palletizers, picking systems, cobots, and other automation equipment that require reliable motion over millions of cycles.

Cable carriers (e-chains®) protect and guide cables, hoses, and pneumatic lines during repetitive motion. By maintaining proper bend radii and preventing cable entanglement, they can help extend cable service life, improve system reliability, and reduce unplanned downtime in dynamic automation applications.

Many igus products are designed to run cleanly because they require no external lubrication. This can help minimize grease-related contamination concerns in packaging, food and beverage handling, and other applications where cleanliness is important. Specific material selections are available depending on industry requirements.

Yes. igus® works closely with OEMs, system integrators, and machine builders to develop customized solutions. This can include application-specific cable carriers, custom-readychain® assemblies, engineered linear systems, and tailored bearing solutions designed to meet unique performance or installation requirements. Please reach out to us to inquire about a custom solution for your application.

The best solution depends on your application's motion requirements, loads, environment, and expected service life. Our in-house experts can review your design and recommend suitable components for rotating, linear, or multi-axis motion. We also offer online configuration tools, free samples for many products, and technical consultation to help accelerate the design process.