Polymer Bearings Return to Offshore Show

Igus is exhibiting at Offshore Northern Seas again this year to underline its dedication to the oil and gas sector. Igus reinforced plastic energy chains can usually replace steel cable carriers. They can travel long distances at high speeds in all axes, withstand heavy loads and salt water, ice, humidity, wind, rain, snow and storms. Igus will promote its largest chains at the show, including Series 800, the biggest polymer energy chain in the world. Nicknamed 'The Mammoth', each link is made stronger by four opening crossbars. It is available in 10 widths and eight bending radii. The range of polymer bearings includes iglidur plain bearings, igubal spherical bearings and DryLin linear bearings. Iglidur X is ideal for subsea applications. Used in remote offshore vehicles (ROVs) and in valve applications, it offers no moisture absorption or corrosion and a high load capacity. It also works with stainless shafts. Igubal is the corrosion resistant spherical bearing range. Several clevis joints from this range are used in a ROV developed in the UK by Seaeye Marine. Substantial cost savings are made over stainless steel products with Igubal products. DryLin R with Iglidur XUM liner works best with stainless steel. The maintenance-free and corrosion resistant linear bearing system is ideal for use in subsea mechanical handling equipment. Matthew Aldridge, bearings product director at Igus UK, says: 'Plastic bearings offer obvious benefits to the offshore oil and gas industry'. 'Not only are they maintenance free and corrosion resistant, but the fact that the lifetime can be precisely calculated gives users a tremendous competitive edge'. Also available, Igus Chainflex flexible cables can handle tight bending radii in dynamic applications. They include control, robot, motor, data and servo cables. Igus will be exhibiting on Stand 930/28 in Hall J at ONS 2006. Request