Igus Products Aid Cutting-Edge Climbing Machines to Scale Walls while on a Mission to Eliminate Dangerous Chemicals and Toxins
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. - December 14, 2006 - Igus® Inc., the leading developer of Energy Chain Systems®, iglide® plastic bearings and DryLin® linear bearings and guide systems, today announced that International Climbing Machines (ICM) uses igus products on its mission to transform elevated-height work, such as the removal of lead paint or chemical toxins from tall surfaces, from dangerous to safe. ICM develops portable, remote-controlled devices capable of removing lethal materials on virtually any vertical or inverted surface. The company's climbing machines are remotely operated safely from the ground, so humans can avoid exposure to dangerous heights, chemicals and toxic environments.
ICM has been using plastic machinery components from igus on all the moving parts of its climbing machines since inception. The machines can climb a wide array of objects such as walls, tanks, ships, building structures, dams and towers. Used for dangerous missions that range from the removal of surface decontamination to radiological and biological agents, ICM machines keep elevated height-workers out of immediate danger.
ICM uses Energy Chain cable carrier, igubal® spherical bearings and DryLin linear bearings and guide systems on each climbing apparatus. These high-performance products are durable, lightweight, economical and virtually maintenance-free.
Compared to its closest competitor, a 100 to 1,000 pound crawler requiring support to operate on vertical surfaces, ICM machines weigh just 22 pounds, in large part due to igus. Igus' lightweight, plastic parts do not add excessive weight to the climbers, enabling them to easily adhere to surfaces such as metal, concrete and brick, using only a vacuum force.
In addition to the low weight, ICM also enjoys additional benefits from using igus parts. Every component is chemical-resistant, wear-resistant and maintenance-free, which eliminates machine downtime for ICM and the end user. Unlike metal or bronze, igus' plastic components will not corrode or fail in harsh environments where hazardous chemicals are prevalent.
"The quality of all the igus products has been exceptional," said Sam Maggio, president of ICM. "We have not found any product that is comparable. Every nickel and minute counts and with igus, we're able to save both money and time."
ICM has been employing igus products on its climbers for more than four years. The company's lightweight, portable climbers can be used in hazardous settings, but also are well-suited for various types of tests, inspections and surveys, and can come equipped with attachments for sand blasting or surface-damage repair. To learn more about ICM, visit www.icm.cc or to watch the company's climbers in action, go to icm.cc/demo_videos.html. To read other customer success stories featuring igus products, visit igus.com/applicationcorner.
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.
