Igus donates products to more than 1,100 student teams in the multinational 2006 FIRST Robotics Competition
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. - January 6, 2006 - Igus® Inc., the leading developer of Energy Chain Systems®, Chainflex® continuous-flex cables and iglide® plastic bearings, announced today its sponsorship of the multinational 2006 FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition. Igus donated a wide-array of products to be included in 1,150 consumable parts kits, which will aid students from around the world to build a robot to solve an engineering challenge. At the January 7, 2006 kick-off, in Manchester, N.H., the birthplace of FIRST, the season's game will be unveiled and students will receive their common kit of parts.
Since 1992, the FIRST Robotics Competition has grown from a single competition in a New Hampshire gym into one of the largest robotics competitions on the globe. The competition challenges high school students to design and build a robot in six-weeks with a common set of rules and parts. With the help of teachers and mentors, participants have the opportunity to learn valuable lessons about science and technology, while at the same time gaining hands-on, engineering-based experience. To learn more about FIRST, visit www.usfirst.org.
By becoming a supplier sponsor of the competition, igus is able to accomplish many goals set forth by its Y.E.S. (Young Engineers Support) Program and at the same time demonstrate much needed support to a worthy cause. After the company's nationwide product sponsorship of the 2005 BEST Robotics Competition, igus saw rewards that were two-fold: students enjoyed working with new, innovative parts and also came to recognize plastic as a viable machinery material.
For the second time around, in conjunction with the company's Y.E.S. Program, igus hopes to further inspire young engineers and educate students and professionals alike about the benefits and merits of plastic components. The FIRST kit of parts contains product from five different product lines, including;
micro Energy Chain ® cable carrier;
DryLin ® N low-profile linear guide systems;
igubal ® spherical bearings, including flange, rod end, pillow block and clevis joint;
iglide plain plastic bearings, both flange and sleeve; and
DryLin S anodized aluminum shafting.
Through FIRST, igus is able to reach more than 28,000 students and an overwhelming number of teachers and mentors.
"We are so pleased that igus has joined our community of FIRST sponsors," said Dean Kamen, founder of FIRST. "With this commitment, igus makes it possible for us to turn the FIRST vision of inspiring young people's interest and participation in science and technology into a reality. It is igus' penchant for innovation that enables them to see the value and impact the FIRST competitions have on the future of engineering. We thank igus for sharing our vision."
Igus has been supplying students with free products for a number of years and recently formalized and expanded its donation efforts with the Y.E.S. Program. FIRST, as well as a number of other competitions, benefit from igus' product-based support.
"Igus is committed to helping teach the fundamentals of science and technology to the younger generation," said Carsten Blase, vice president of igus Inc. "By sponsoring FIRST, igus is able to reach students of various ages, teach them about the advantages of plastic and foster their engineering aspirations early. Igus believes in the vision of the FIRST organization and is proud to sponsor the 2006 FIRST Robotics Competition."
As students work on their FIRST robot entries, igus is eager to learn about the various ways the teams are using its products. Igus encourages participants to contact the company for answers to technical questions or to request additional products. Teams can visit igus.com/yesprogram/FIRST_request.asp to fill out a Student Sample Request Form or contact Courtney Toomey, Y.E.S. Program administrator, via e-mail at ctoomey@igus.com. To learn more about igus' sponsorship of FIRST and other competitions, visit www.igus.com/yesprogram.
About igus
Igus Inc., founded in 1985 and based in East Providence, R.I., develops and manufactures industry-leading plastic cable carriers, continuous-flex cables, plastic bearings and linear guide systems. With more than 28,000 products available from stock, the company meets the motion control and machinery component needs of customers worldwide. Product lines include Energy Chain Systems to protect and house moving cables, Chainflex continuous-flex cables, iglide self-lubricating, oil-free, plastic bearings, DryLin linear guide systems and igubal spherical bearings. For more information, contact igus at (800) 521-2747 or visit www.igus.com.
About FIRST
Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester , N.H. , FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology and engineering. With the support of many of the world's most well-known companies, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST Robotics Competition for high school students and the FIRST LEGO® League for children 9-14 years old. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.
