igus,
the world’s leading manufacturer and pioneers of plastic motion technology
under the renowned brands the-chain Energy Chains Systems and dry-tech
bearings, has announced the commemorative world tour of a retrofitted micro
car. This micro car, fitted with iglidur components puts the resilience,
reliability and potential of its innovative plastic technology to test, as it
embarks on a round-the-world-trip. This tour is also being undertaken to
commemorate the completion of the 30th anniversary of its dry-tech product
group "iglidur".
Antony P Kurian, COO igus India and Patrick
Carl, International Head of iglidur Product Group, were present to grace this
occasion. The company also announced the
igus, has been dedicated to the cause of research in “tribopolymers” (friction
and wear optimised plastics) for decades to provide its consumers with improved
solutions. On the 30th year of its journey, igus embarked on this ambitious
practical test to demonstrate the capabilities of the extensively tested and
amply proven innovative plastics technology. A team from Cologne University of
Applied Sciences under the leadership of Johannes Thomé and the igus bearing
developer Michael Krug took up the project 'plastination’ of the micro car. The
aim was to replace everything possible with igus plastics, viz, brake pedal,
windscreen wipers, window lift mechanism, shift unit, seat console, handbrake,
alternator, throttle valve and the
convertible roof. Attention was even paid to ensure visual likeness as well.
This
retrofitted car will begin its journey from 'Incredible India' and go on to a
strenuous round-the-world trip along tarmac, gravel and mud tracks and roads
across four continents. Its inaugural exhibition will be held at the ‘Auto
Expo’ trade fair at New Delhi, India, post which it will travel to China,
Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. The igus
car will then make a trip to America followed by Canada. In the next part of
the journey the micro car will travel to Brazil, before making its way back to
Europe.
Kurian
says, "We, at igus, have put together 30 years of expertise in the field
of 'motion plastics' to send the igus car on a World tour. igus bearings have
been fitted at 56 points to demonstrate the capabilities of igus tribopolymers and demonstrate a superior technology that
reduces cost & improves performance drastically. Before it embarks on its
round-the-world-trip the retrofitted car will be displayed at the 'Auto Expo'
trade fair at New Delhi, to provide visitors and technocrats with a first-hand
experience."