Custom moulded parts shipped in as little as 24 hours

Paul Boughton
Igus has developed a new tooling method for injection moulding that can result in custom parts being shipped in less than 24 hours. As there are no minimum order quantities, the Speedigus service is suitable for one-offs, prototyping, low volumes and to provide production-quality parts while hardened tooling is being manufactured.
 
Matt Aldridge of Igus UK explains: "Standard tool manufacture can take four to eight weeks and is normally only available for minimum orders of around 5000 pieces. But with Speedigus you can get a single part in just one day. All we need is the required quantity and a 3D CAD file of the part."
 
Igus currently manufactures Speedigus parts in eight common Iglidur materials (Iglidur G, J, W300, X, M250, P, A180 and H2) as well as Igumid G, the Igus energy chain material; an online selection tool helps designers to select the material best suited to the application.
 
As Iglidur materials are maintenance- and lubricant-free, long-lasting and have a low coefficient of friction, the majority of Speedigus parts manufactured to date are custom-designed components that have a bearing function.
 
Aldridge adds: "Because Speedigus uses standard Igus materials, the Igus useful service life calculation program is still valid." However, engineers can also draw upon other features and benefits of Iglidur materials, such as the combination of light weight with electrical conductivity, or resistance to chemicals or high temperatures. The Igumid E-Chain material additionally offers design possibilities for structural parts, such as brackets, side plate or covers.
 
Suitable for orders up to a few thousand parts, prototypes or one-offs, Speedigus can accommodate parts that fit within an envelope of up to 475 x 750 x 200mm, with wall thicknesses down to 0.5mm. All that is required for a quotation is a 3D CAD file, preferably in Step format, and the required quantity.
 
While the standard Speedigus tooling lead time is fifteen days from placement of order, parts can be produced in as little as 24 hours on payment of a surcharge that varies with the amount of time being saved. Every Speedigus quotation comes with full technical component information. Tooling charges for the Speedigus systems start from £1000 and unit costs are from just 10 pence. As part of this service Speedigus custom tooling is kept for repeat orders as and when required. If production should move to higher volumes, Igus manufactures a standard production tool and unit costs reduce considerably.
 
For more information, visit www.igus.co.uk/speedigus

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