Smoothly through the season: igus solutions in Doppelmayr bike clips enable uninterrupted bike transport via lift in the bike park

The Doppelmayr Group, headquartered in Wolfurt (Austria), is a global leader in the development, planning and realisation of state-of-the-art cable car and transport systems. The company has stood for top quality, technologically innovative products and reliability for over 130 years. The focus is on customised solutions that guarantee operational reliability, availability and sustainability - over the entire life cycle of the systems.

In addition to classic passenger transport systems, Doppelmayr is increasingly focussing on additional functions such as bicycle transport systems. Robust and weather-resistant assemblies are particularly important in alpine regions where bicycles have to be transported comfortably by cable car.

External loads are a key problem in this environment. Components are subject to intensive mechanical stress and have to withstand a variety of environmental influences such as dirt, moisture, temperature changes and UV radiation. The aim of the project was therefore to develop a maintenance-free and durable solution for the moving assemblies within the bike clips. Maintenance intervals should be minimised and system downtimes avoided - without compromising on operational safety or handling.

The engineers at Doppelmayr rely on lubrication-free and maintenance-free solutions from igus to optimise the moving components of the bike clips. The decision in favour of igus was based on a broad portfolio of low-friction and corrosion-free tribopolymers that were developed for use in permanently moving applications and changing weather conditions.

The bike clips, which were designed for chair lifts, enable the convenient transport of up to four bikes per chair. While passengers can hook up their bikes themselves and remove them again later, the robust bearings in the moving assemblies ensure reliable operation.

The design benefits from the versatile material advantages of igus components. Thanks to their self-lubricating specifications, the plastic bearings are completely maintenance-free, which considerably simplifies operation. They also impress with their resistance to dirt, moisture and temperature fluctuations. They therefore offer consistent running performances and guarantee reliable continuous operation despite the demanding use in alpine areas. It is also important to emphasise the fact that the function remains constant over the long downtimes during the winter months.