Reason to cheer at the Scottish machine manufacturer Tooltec: Its offshore inspection device is the winner of the Manus Award 2019. For the ninth time, Igus has awarded this prize for the creative use of high-performance plastics in warehouse technology. Second place went to a hovering catamaran, and third place went to an assistance system that can also be used by people with physical mobility impairments.

The winner of the 5000 euro prize is Tooltec. The Scottish mechanical engineering company has developed a device with which operators of oil and gas platforms underwater can clean and examine pipes such as pipelines (right picture). So far, divers have had to take on this job. The offshore inspection device wraps itself around the pipe like a cuff and moves forward on rollers. While driving, the machine cleans the pipeline and examines it for weak points. Only polymer bearings for the engineers were used in the design. I.a. “Iglidur” plain bearings, “Drylin” linear guides and an e-chain for safe cable routing, which executes a rotary movement of 360 degrees, were used. The components enable lubricant-free and therefore maintenance-free dry running and are resistant to salty sea water.

“Ifly 15” came in second. At first glance, the sport catamaran from Munich manufacturer CEC Catamarans GmbH looks like an ordinary catamaran. But that changes when the boat picks up speed. Then, thanks to a mechanical flight control system, it rises about half a meter out of the water and travels at up to 30 knots (55 km / h) on four small fold-out wings. But before the catamaran learned to fly, the engineers had to master challenges in the control system, such as reducing weight. The developers therefore rely on lightweight plain bearings made of high-performance plastics in the wings. The plastic bearings also score points in this environment thanks to their lubricant-free dry running and their resistance to salt water.

The whole world of igus robots

The bronze medal went to the French company Kempf, which enables people with walking difficulties and wheelchair users to drive. This is where “Darios” comes in - a gas ring that is mounted on the steering wheel. If the driver presses the ring, he can accelerate the vehicle finely. He can brake using a manual brake next to the wheel. He is no longer dependent on the classic pedals. In the latest version, the gas ring is no longer simply round, but flattened like many modern steering wheels. The engineers mastered this constructive challenge together with the igus 3D printing service.

445 Tinkerers from 32 countries have applied for the Manus Award 2019.

 Another contribution of the manufacturer 

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