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Plastics Machinery Parts Support Competition

Producer of machinery cable and bearings company has donated various plastic machinery components in its continued support of a multinational robotics competition.

FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics students learned their robots will have to compete in 'overdrive' for the 17th annual FIRST Robotics Competition, which started at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, New Haven, USA, on Januar 5, 2008.

This year's game, called 'FIRST Overdrive', challenges students to build a robot capable of kicking or carrying 40in inflated trackballs around a circular, indoor field.

The robots also will have to knock down and move the trackballs around the field, passing them either under or over a 6ft 6in overpass comprised of gymnasium-like rungs.For bonus points, the teams can position the trackballs back onto the overpass before the 2 min, 15s match comes to an end.

All 1,500 participating FIRST teams have the opportunity to use various plastics machinery components donated by igus, the leading developer of Energy Chain Systems, Chainflex continuous-flex cables and iglide plastics bearings.FIRST teams hailing from around various places around the nation such as Brazil, Canada, the USA and Israel, watched the festivities via NASA TV broadcast or web cast from 49 different 'kick-off' sites.

At the event, participants received a kit of common parts, including components from igus, which they will use to build their robot.The students also had the opportunity to see this year's game field where, in six weeks, their completed robots will go head to head in the competition.

Igus has been a platinum-level supplier for the FIRST Robotics Competition for three years.For the 2008 competition, the company donated a wide range of products, including the following.

* Micro Energy Chain cable carriers, * Iglide J plastics plain bearings.* Iglide M250 plastics plain bearings.* Iglide MCI plastics clip bearings.* Igubal spherical bearings, including rod end, pillow block and flange designs.* DryLin R linear bearings.* DryLin N linear guide systems.* DryLin S aluminum shafting.

In March of 2005, igus launched the YES (Young Engineers Support) Programme, to foster the mechanical design ideas of students with a passion for engineering by providing free product samples.As a product sponsor of FIRST, igus is able to aid the organization in promoting science and technology among tens of thousands of students, while at the same time educating FIRST participants about the merits and benefits of plastics components.

'Igus has been extremely proactive about supporting organizations that promote both interest and the pursuit of degrees and careers in engineering-based fields,' said Carsten Blase, vice president of igus.
'Through our YES Programme, igus strives to accomplish goals similar to those of FIRST Robotics, making igus' support of the competition a 'win-win' situation.

Each year, igus' contribution has grown, and for 2008, we have donated more products to the FIRST teams than ever before.We are eager to see how the parts are used and hope the products aid the students in building their best entries to date'.Igus encourages teams to visit the YES Program Web site to request additional products or technical assistance.

Igus also supplies FIRST participants with components outside of the common kit of parts, at no cost to them.Students using igus products on their FIRST robot are invited to contact Courtney Toomey at ctoomey@igus.com to have their FIRST experience featured on the YES website.

For more information about FIRST, or to see a video explanation of this year's game challenge.

* About igus - Igus Incorporated, founded in 1985 and based in East Providence, Rhode Island, USA, develops and manufactures industry-leading plastic cable carriers, continuous-flex cables, plastics bearings and linear guide systems.

With more than 28,000 products available from stock, the company meets the motion control and machinery component needs of customers worldwide.Product lines include Energy Chain Systems to protect and house moving cables, Chainflex continuous-flex cables, iglide self-lubricating, oil-free, plastic bearings, DryLin linear guide systems and igubal spherical bearings.

* About FIRST - accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people.

Based in Manchester, New Haven, USA, FIRST designs accessible, innovative programmes to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology and engineering.With the support of many of the world's most well-known companies, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST Robotics Competition for high school students and the FIRST LEGO League for children 9-14 years old