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Airport

Robust, lubrication-free components for airports and runways

Around 50 million aeroplanes take off around the world every day. A complex infrastructure is required to ensure that such flight operations run smoothly. Airports are a central component of this. igus products impress worldwide with maintenance-free dry operation, reliability and quiet operation wherever there is movement at the airport: at automatic border crossings, body scanners, baggage transport or in flight simulators.
Ground support equipment that functions reliably in all weather conditions is essential to minimise aircraft ground times. Our energy chains and cables have proven themselves here for years thanks to their corrosion-resistant, maintenance-free materials and long service lives. They are used, for example, in passenger boarding bridges, de-icing vehicles and systems, cargo lifts and conveyor belt vehicles.

Advantages of igus products at the airport:

  • Low noise and vibration
  • Lubrication and maintenance-free

On the tarmac:

  • Weather and corrosion resistant
  • Easy to install and cost-effective
  • 36-month guarantee for energy chains
  • 4-year guarantee for cables

Areas of use

Aircraft and de-icing vehicles
Ground support equipment (GSE)
Passenger boarding bridge
Passenger boarding bridges
Closed barrier systems
Airport security

Successfully in use

De-icing aircraft

e-chains in use at -40 degrees

To reduce time, delays and therefore costs of de-icing and washing aircraft, MSG Production AS developed a fully automated all-in-one concept. The Norwegian company relies entirely on the advantages of motion plastics from igus: E2 & E4 series energy chains ensure reliable cable guidance, and igubal pillow block bearings provide the mounting of the cleaning nozzles.

More about this application
Overview of aerospace applications

More success stories

In this selection of more than 40 application examples, you can find out how our energy chains and bearing products are used in aviation and aerospace, where they fulfil different requirements. Here, it was necessary to overcome challenges such as high loads, extreme temperature differences, confined spaces or specifications requiring low weight.

Discover more customer success stories

Selected motion plastics for GSE and airports

E4Q e-chain

Energy chain system E4Q/R4Q

  • Opening and closing possible without tools
  • Optional noise damping for quieter operation
  • Material savings lead to lower weight
More about E4Q/R4Q
Various chainflex cables

Cables for movement

  • Suitable for tight bend radii as well as cold and abrasive environments
  • 4-year chainflex guarantee
drylin W rail with carriage

Linear profile guides

  • 100% maintenance and lubrication-free
  • Wear-resistant, quiet and dirt-resistant
  • Modular design principle
More about the drylin W series
iglidur J plain bearings, with or without flange

Plain bearings for medium loads

  • Lowest wear with a large number of different shafts
  • Vibration-dampening
More about iglidur J plain bearings
Various igubal pillow block bearings

Pillow block bearings

  • For rotating, oscillating & linear movements
  • High rigidity and fatigue strength under alternating loads

Customer application examples

Fully automated aircraft washing and de-icing

MSG Production AS, a Norwegian company, has developed a fully automated de-icing and washing system for aircraft. To ensure safe guidance for the hoses and cables, the developers decided to use igus energy chains, which are not sensitive to moisture or chemicals. igubal pillow block bearings also reliably ensure mobility for the individual cleaning nozzles.

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Fully automated maintenance systems by MSG Production AS

Secure energy supply for passenger boarding bridges

At Cologne/Bonn airport, eight bridges have been converted and modernised. The cables that supply the bridge control system and the aircraft can be routed safely for the next few decades. In addition to engineering for this telescopic solution and the components for the new energy supply system, igus performed on-site installation on the runway.

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Passenger boarding bridge with zig-zag e-chain at the Cologne/Bonn airport

Six-stage telescopic crane for tanker

Before igus products were used in this application, hoses and cables were used without guidance on the vehicle. Energy chains, control cables and pneumatic hoses were used in order to approach the aircraft to be refuelled.

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Airfield fuel tanker

Save space with the energy supply system for gate systems

Aircraft hangars are equipped with high-quality gates. Airbus or Boeing, private or military aircraft, each gate is a customer-specific solution. Since safety requirements are more stringent in highly complex systems, gates are being equipped with closing edge safety systems more and more frequently. Special igus energy supply systems ensure smooth information transmission to keep people and property safe in emergencies.

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Rotary gate aircraft hangar

Secure energy supply in the hangar

Hydraulic work platforms in a hangar for an Airbus 380 have been fitted with igus e-chains. The problem is the high altitude, which makes the supply of energy and compressed air difficult. The energy chains in zig-zag shape remedy the situation and work safely over the entire travel.

Airbus in the aircraft hangar

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