CUSTOMER CASE STUDY
Customer: Ergon Equine Ltd
Industry: Equestrian performance solutions
Solution: Custom 3D printed ball joint mechanism, printed using iglidur® i230 laser sintering powder
Overview
Ergon Equine Ltd is an innovative equestrian technology company developing a range of solutions designed to improve performance and simultaneously enhance comfort. Their current market offering, NewTree, is an injection moulded tree design offering a range of customisable features from gullet to cantle. The latest product in development, BioTree, provides a dynamic, equine-centric alternative to traditional saddle tree designs.
By integrating 3D printed ball joint housings with stainless steel ball studs from igus UK, Ergon Equine are able to achieve a maintenance-free solution that allows dynamic movement in their tree design and a more comfortable riding experience for both horse and rider.
The challenge
Traditional saddle tree designs are often crafted from laminated wood and reinforced with metal plates. These trees dictate the shape and load-bearing points on a saddle, and as such, a perfect fit is essential to ensure comfort for the horse and optimal performance. Using unforgiving, static materials such as wood and metal restricts the possibility of dynamic movement, something Ergon Equine were determined to change with their injection moulded tree offerings.
To achieve this goal, a lightweight, robust and maintenance-free solution that could facilitate continuous movement was required.
“With BioTree, we’re trying to develop a tree that moves with the horse, and within the saddle industry, that wasn’t really something that was being done.” Says Bjorn Hulman, Head of design at Ergon Equine.
The solution
After trying standard components from igus in their prototyping stages, Head of design, Bjorn Hullman sought for a customised solution that could encompass all their design requirements.
The solution that emerged was six 3D printed ball joint mechanisms with stainless steel ball studs that could withstand different loads, temperatures and intensities all while facilitating dynamic movement between the horse and saddle.
The housing was printed using iglidur® i230, a selective laser sintering (SLS) material from igus that is 80% more wear-resistant than its PA12 alternative. iglidur® i230 has the highest flexural strength of all the materials within its group and is also electrostatically dissipative, making it a strong all-rounder for other industrial applications.
The outcome
igus UK were able to support Ergon Equine in achieving:
- Increased reliability and product longevity
The wear-resistant and durable nature of the materials used for the ball joint mechanisms allows for a more reliable and longer-lasting design capable of meeting the requirements of professional riders.
- Enhanced riding performance and improved equine welfare standards
Facilitates movement across three axes and achieves the rotational capacity required to ensure performance without compromise, prioritising back health within horses for a better riding experience.
“We came across igus as we were looking for a hardware supplier that could meet our specific performance requirements,” Says Ginny Heggie, Director at Ergon Equine, “They work really well for us, giving us the exact rotational capacity we need.”
By partnering with igus UK, Ergon Equine are successfully integrating advanced motion plastic technology into their innovative tree design. The result is a robust, low-maintenance solution that supports the company’s mission to deliver innovative products for the equine industry while providing long-term value to customers.
