World’s first polymer telescopic guide from igus

In aeroplanes, cars, trains or furniture construction, it is not only the durability of the components that is important, but above all their lightweight property and quick assembly. igus has now developed a polymer telescopic guide completely made of high-performance polymers. With the drylin NT series, igus already successfully carries telescopic guides made of aluminium and polymer, which glide smoothly and evenly due to the use of tribologically optimised high-performance polymers, in its range. However, every gram counts in seat adjustments or drawers in aircraft and cars.

“We have now developed the first telescopic guide completely made of high-performance polymer. Compared to the drylin NT-35 telescopic rail, it is 64 percent lighter with the same extension length”, explains Stefan Niermann, drylin Drive Technology Division Manager. “If we replace metal rails in six drawers each of ten kitchen containers with our new polymer telescopic rails on board an aircraft, the weight of the containers would be reduced by eleven kilograms, saving over 33 tons of fuel in an Airbus A340-400 in 20 years of operation”. These corrosion-resistant guides are also suitable for use in hygienic areas such as packaging or medical technology.