igus has once again joined forces with FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a not-for-profit public charity that inspires young people to be leaders in the fields of science and technology. For the seventh consecutive year, the company has signed on as a diamond supplier for the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC).

The FRC diamond supplier level denotes a contribution between $200,000 and $500,000. For the upcoming 2012 season, igus donated various plastic machinery components, including Energy Chain cable carriers, DryLin N low-profile linear slides, iglide plastic bushings, igubal spherical bearings, and aluminum shafting. These products are included in a larger kit of parts distributed by FIRST to close to 2,500 FRC teams. igus also donated iglide slewing ring bearings and DryLin W linear guide systems for “FIRST Choice,” a separate menu of free items available to the students on a first-come, first-served basis.

In January, the engineering challenge for the 2012 competition will be announced during a live kick-off event in Manchester, NH. During this past season, students participated in “LOGO MOTION,” which was unveiled by FIRST founder, Dean Kamen, and musical entertainer, will.i.am, of The Black Eyed Peas. The game pitted two alliances of three teams against each other on a field to earn points by hanging triangular, circular and square-shaped game pieces on poles of up to 10 feet tall.

About igus
igus develops industry-leading Energy Chain cable carriers, Chainflex continuous-flex cables, iglide plastic bushings, igubal spherical bearings, and DryLin linear bearings and linear guides. These seemingly unrelated products are linked together through a belief in making functionally advanced, yet affordable plastic components and assemblies. With plastic bearing experience since 1964, cable carrier experience since 1971 and continuous-flex cable since 1989, igus provides the right solution from over 80,000 products available from stock. No minimum order required.