iglide? self-lubricating, maintenance-free plastic bearings from igus? are being used in the design and development of a single-passenger, urban commuting vehicle. The Personal Transport Vehicle - Ground, or PTV-G, is the brainchild of Redbud Technology LLC of Union Grove, AL. Its unique design uses an articulated steering geometry, which means the inclined steering pivot is positioned just behind the occupant, and as a result reacts like a high-performance, two-wheeled motorcycle.
Both the independent rear suspension and the rear wheel lean-and-tilt mechanisms use iglide plastic plain bearings. The plastic bearings are ideal for the vehicle's harsh, dirty operating environment since they will not corrode and require no maintenance or external lubrication. The low cost and easy installation of the bearings are also important benefit
Innovating and Educating
Redbud Technology is actively evolving the design and engineering of an urban commuting Personal Transport Vehicle (PTV-G?) based on the plan form of a delta trike. The REDBUD? PTV-G? will serve as an educational resource to help technical high school, community college, and university students develop and analyze advanced single-passenger commuting concepts, including fundamental 3D CAD/CAE/CAM, design, innovative engineering and economical manufacturing, assembly, and lifecycle maintenance.
In conjunction with the company's Y.E.S. (Young Engineers Support) Program, igus donated the bearings at no cost to a group of students working on the project. This vehicle's subsystems are being assigned to high school seniors and community college and university programs as special projects in order to encourage a younger generation to participate and excel in the study of science, engineering, and manufacturing technologies.
Redbud is committed to projects that serve as educational resources to advance the knowledge of those who study and practice design, engineering, and manufacturing in the United States. Redbud seeks to establish relationships with educational institutions and seasoned mentors to foster new learning models. igus's Y.E.S. Program has a similar mission: to foster the mechanical design ideas of students with a passion for engineering, while at the same time educating them on the merits and benefits of plastic components.
