Functional surface coatings are an integral part of everyday industrial life. For example, the iglidur coating materials from the Cologne-based plastics specialist igus are known to protect particularly heavily stressed components from excessive wear. The lubrication-free plastic-based powder coating serves as a friction-optimised surface for electrically conductive components, whose service life can be significantly extended in this way. And to make the selection of the suitable coating even easier for customers, they can now use the iglidur Coating Designer.

Individual configuration in three simple steps

With its constantly growing range of configuration and service life calculation tools, igus wants to make the selection of the suitable and at the same time most cost-effective solution as simple as possible. Exactly this goal is also pursued by the iglidur Coating Designer, which is initially only available in Germany. With the help of the tool, users can have their individual component coated - in three simple steps. First, a CAD model is loaded into the online tool; possible file formats are .stp, .step or .stl. In the second step, the coating material is selected. Six different iglidur coating powders are available, which can be compared directly in the tool. Finally, only the desired coating thickness must be specified - the tool does the rest by itself. Price and delivery time are calculated automatically. In addition, the final appearance of the coated component is displayed directly. The user can download the corresponding data sheet with a simple click. In the last step, it is possible to request the shopping basket, forward it to the responsible purchaser or other parties involved in the design or procurement process, or to order it immediately.

Simple, durable and versatile in use

Like all iglidur materials, the coating materials are tribologically optimised and thus offer excellent friction and wear values. Metallic surfaces are thus to be protected against abrasion by other friction partners and scratching - completely without additional components. This reduces the complexity of the application. The iglidur coating powders should be able to be applied to almost any surface and thus also solve wear problems in places where no classic plain bearings can be installed due to undercuts or limited installation space. Whether on valves, hinges or baffles - the six coating powders available are suitable for a wide range of applications. For example, for use at high temperatures or in the food sector. The special feature: All iglidur coating materials require no additional lubrication. Integrated solid lubricants always ensure the lowest possible friction. "iglidur Coating serves as a wear layer with which customers can optimally protect their component and thus significantly extend the service life of their application," emphasises Marc Trenkler, Product Manager iglidur Coating at igus. "Tests in our in-house laboratory show that our polymer coatings are up to ten times more wear-resistant than PTFE coatings."

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