Discover the railway technology sample box

motion plastics for use in rail-bound traffic and transport systems

What is in your sample box?

Your sample box contains a range of specially selected high-performance polymers and cables from our wide range of products, which are ideally suited to the requirements of railway technology. This includes:

1. dryspin lead screw drives

dryspin thread systems eliminate the need for additional lubrication thanks to their lead screw nuts made from self-lubricating high-performance polymers, thus reducing maintenance and cleaning costs. The systems are used in the boarding area (in the disc step and door) and in various applications in the railway infrastructure.

Spindle nuts iglidur J350

Conformity with the fire protection standard DIN EN 45545 is particularly important for the thread systems in the interior. The broad portfolio of materials for lead screw technology includes the lead screw nuts iglidur J350, which fulfil the requirements of train interiors.

In trapezoidal and high helix thread, cylindrical design or as flange types
Quiet, vibration-free operation

Lead screw systems

Train door with different igus components

Fail-safe entry systems with a long service life

chainflex cables, dryspin lead screw technology and energy supply systems are used to make entry systems maintenance-free and, above all, durable. Defective doors can constitute a hazard to passengers in emergency situations and, in everyday life, are hindrance to speedy passenger boarding and alighting.

Make entry systems and emergency exits fail-safe

Railway technology gap bridging with dryspin lead screw technology

Lead screw drives in gap bridging in trains

Lubrication-free and thus maintenance-free dryspin high helix lead screws and nuts from igus are central components of an innovation from Knorr-Bremse GmbH, Division IFE. They are resistant to corrosion and media and ensure a long service life ‒ at significantly reduced costs.

Sliding steps on trains

2. iglidur and igutex plain bearings

Plain bearings can be found in a wide variety of applications. The iglidur Q3E and igutex TX1 bearings are particularly suitable for heavy-duty applications and guarantee high load-carrying capacity. For indoor use, the iglidur RW370 plain bearings not only offer convenient and quiet adjustment options, they also fulfil the fire protection standard DIN EN 45545 HL3, R22/R23.

iglidur RW370, TX1, Q3E

Our plain bearings are self-lubricating and maintenance-free, which minimises maintenance costs. They are cost-effective and robust, ideal for heavy loads. You can use our online tool to calculate the service life. Availability? Worldwide and within 24 hours! They are also resistant to chemicals.

iglidur polymer bearings

Seat with iglidur plain bearings, drylin linear guides and a PRT slewing ring bearing

High comfort in the passenger compartment

Experience comfort with iglidur plain bearings! They enable quiet and clean adjustment of armrests, folding tables and seats in the passenger compartment. They are robust, maintenance-free and easy to clean.

Maintenance-free and clean bearings in train seats

Reliable and lubrication-free coupling

Railway couplings profit from the high reliability of iglidur plain bearings and thrust washers. In Scharfenberg couplings, e.g. they are used in the main pin so that the hooked plate can turn during coupling. The plain bearings do not require any additional lubricants and are therefore maintenance-free.

Coupling made maintenance-free with iglidur plain bearings

3. drylin W linear guide

drylin W profile rail guides are versatile, whether as an installation system or a modular construction kit. With over 50 different profiles and a wide range of linear plain bearings and linear carriages, they can be combined to suit individual requirements. They can be used across all applications. All parts, including rails, can be ordered online in the desired length. We also offer other linear systems for any linear motion or drive requirements.

Linear systems for every application

Our linear rail systems achieve precision and friction coefficients similar to those of recirculating ball bearing guides or roller guides and are also characterised by being maintenance-free, lubrication-free, smooth-running and easy to install. These advantages result from the iglidur plastics specifically developed for the drylin liners and sliding surfaces.

Linear systems

Maintenance-free and clean in the passenger area

iglidur plain bearings and drylin linear technology ensure clean adjustment, low coefficient of friction and quiet movements without the need for any additional lubrication. This is due to the incorporated dry lubricants, which are within the igus materials. If the components have to be in line with DIN 45545, iglidur RW370 can be used.

Maintenance-free and clean bearings in train seats

Track distance measuring device with drylin component

Distance meter for rails

drylin linear guides are used in distance meters for rising height and gauge measurements. The preferred tool is the smallest series 4 drylin N and drylin T linear guide These are particularly space-saving and weight-saving. drylin linear guides withstand dirt and rain, as they do not require additional lubrication. Therefore, they are perfect for outdoor use.

4. igubal fixed flange bearing

igubal 2- and 4-hole fixed flange bearings are resistant to corrosion and chemicals, lubrication-free and lighter than metal versions. They offer significant cost savings through reduced maintenance, no lubricant costs and lower acquisition costs compared to metallic alternatives.

Self-aligning bearings

igubal® spherical bearings are self-aligning, maintenance-free bearing elements made entirely of plastic. They can be used up to +200°C depending on the choice of material. The entire igubal joint system is insensitive to dust and dirt and is corrosion-free.

Spherical bearings

Insulating high-performance polymers in pantographs

As iglidur plain bearings are made of non-conductive high-performance polymers, they can be used as insulating components in bearings on collectors. Due to their incorporated solid lubrication, the plain bearings do not require additional lubrication and are therefore maintenance-free. The iglidur materials G, H370, J, W300, X and Z are frequently used in pantographs.

Pantograph with igubal rod end bearings and iglidur plain bearings

Measuring machine for rail profiles

In measuring machines for rail profiles, self-adjusting igubal bearings are used. Due to their angular compensation, they are ideal for manual adjustments. Furthermore, drylin SLW linear guides are installed for the adjustment of width and height, as they are cost-effective and weight-saving. The drylin R carbon fibre shafts with drylin R plastic housing bearings are applied in machines to save weight.

5. iguform and igutek gears

Wear-resistant plastic gears made of iglidur high-performance polymers

Our iglidur gears are lubrication-free and maintenance-free and are characterised by high wear resistance. They have proven themselves in various applications and have been tested in our test laboratory. We support you in selecting the right material and production technology for customised gears.

iglidur gears - Change now!

Gears in track switching

To reduce interruptions of rail journeys, track switches are used. They ensure the seamless transition of the rail vehicles from one track to another.
The use of our wear-resistant iglidur® i3 gears contributes to a long service life of the application.

Gears proven successful in rail technology

6. E2.1 micro e-chain

E2 micro e-chains are lightweight, strong energy chains, ideal for dynamic applications and confined spaces. This makes them particularly suitable for safe cable guidance in railway doors. The E2.1 generation offers a robust stop-dog system, greater unsupported length and higher additional loads. They are easily openable and offer a wide range of accessories such as interior separation and mounting brackets.

Energy chains for safe and durable cable guidance

Our energy chains are made from optimised materials for long running times and a long service life. They are cable-friendly, lightweight, strong, quiet, easily openable and low-maintenance. They can carry energy, data, fibre optics, oil and air in one system and are configurable online. With smart plastics, they can be expanded as an intelligent, self-monitoring system.

Energy chains

Fail-safe entry systems with a long service life

Make entry systems and emergency exits fail-safe

Safe movement of the transfer table

In order to safely guide the cables from the control unit to the transfer table over the long term, even in the extreme weather conditions and salty air in the harbour in Felixstowe, and to keep maintenance times to a minimum, the operators opted for a flizz system made of stainless steel, in which an e-chain of the E4 series and chainflex cables are used.

Transfer table

7. chainflex cables

Cables for moving applications

chainflex cables are known for their reliability and quality. With 30 years of experience, we offer a wide range of cables for various applications. They are maintenance-free and deliver high performance, even under the most adverse conditions. Fast delivery times guarantee minimum downtime.

chainflex cables

Space-saving light rail doors with chainflex cables

Developing compact passenger doors for new light-rail vehicles on the Metro del Valles line in Barcelona is the job of Masats, a Spanish company. Engineers used igus chainflex control cables and e-chains in the door opening mechanisms.

Light-rail doors

Harnessed energy chains with chainflex cables

The readychain systems from igus are ready-to-install energy chain systems consisting of energy chains, flexible cables, connectors, metal sheets and mounting frames. They offer four standardised variants: Basic, Standard, Standard Plus and Premium. Each system is final tested and comes with a guarantee.

Ready-to-install harnessed energy chain systems