Lighter ball rollers for cargo aircraft developed in Cologne

Igus has developed new ball rollers for aircraft cargo floors that use hollow stainless steel balls. The Cologne-based company says this makes them up to 49 percent lighter than rollers made from solid material. For 500 ball rollers with a diameter of 25.4 millimeters, that works out to a saving of roughly 22 kilograms per aircraft.

The ball rollers move cargo containers in the hold. Their housing is made of high-performance plastic with integrated solid lubricants, so no additional lubrication is needed. Igus says the rollers meet the US Federal Aviation Administration's fire safety requirements for aircraft interior equipment. They are available immediately in three sizes.