Now at Filimprimante3D: iglidur 3D Printing Filament Produces Friction-Free Bearings & Sliding Parts

Igus offers us a new twist in 3D printing filament, and it’s all about being quiet and smooth. With their new iglidur filament, not only are you able to produce industrial-grade components that slide smoothly, but it’s possible for some 3D printers, like the Velleman K8400, also to be made with the inclusion of components 3D printed with iglidur filament.

Parts 3D printed with iglidur offer high-quality precision allowing for a streamlined process and little noise. The K8400 3D printer, with iglidur bearings and a milled Z-axis, allows for maintenance-free bearings, silent operation, and no Z-wobble.

Founded in 1964, igus is based in Germany. With many decades of experience in polymers, both as a distributor and a manufacturer, igus does business from their offices in over 30 countries, and enjoys partnerships in 80 others. They employ thousands of individuals who each act as independent managers, taking part in the company’s history of making thousands of new products each year.

Now, igus is on a mission to revolutionize both industry and 3D printing further, with the development of a 3D printing filament that allows anyone to produce parts and components that are friction-free and meant to glide and slide with ease.

This mini-revolution is not solely about producing another 3D printing filament, but also about providing a material that is extremely resistant to abrasion — to the tune of 50 more times. Users are able to 3D design and customize their own bearings, as well as friction pads, or any other parts which are meant to have properties that slide or glide. Users have their choice of iglidur I170-PF and iglidur I180-PF, now offered by Filimprimante3D, an online webstore based in France and dedicated to providing users with 3D printing materials.

Referred to as a tribo-filament, iglidur allows users greater flexibility and latitude in creating bearings and products during prototype construction, small batches, and test installations. Igus also includes a library of files for users as a guide, or to be downloaded and used directly as models for 3D printing.

Iglidur is available in 1.75mm and 3mm and a 250g spool. With the unique polymers and auto-lubricators that make up the new 3D printing material, users will find the filament to be similar to ABS, although with all of its benefits, igus warns about a more delicate quality in the link between the layers. As far as temperatures, they recommend 250°C for the hot end and 90-100°C at the buildplate, with the possibility for a sheet of BuildTak used as a print surface.

Is this a 3D printing filament that you are interested in ordering from Filimiprimate3D? Do you have a need for 3D printing parts that are required to be friction-free and offer a gliding quality, and have you 3D printed parts like that using another material previously? Tell us about your thoughts and experiences in the New iglidur 3D Printing Filament forum over at 3DPB.com.