Bearings boost boo factor

Oct. 1, 2007
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the most recent estimate of potential trick-or-treaters (ages 5 to 13) is 36.4 million. That's a lot of kids to scare

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the most recent estimate of potential trick-or-treaters (ages 5 to 13) is 36.4 million. That's a lot of kids to scare — good news for companies like Scareparts, Hilliard, Ohio, a manufacturer of animated props designed to frighten anyone in their path. The company produces a wide variety of menacing props that crawl, jump, grab, and make slashing movements, including Jester, pictured here, Sluggo, the half body of a man with exposed metal, and Resurrection, a large device that features skeletons lunging at viewers from beyond the grave.

To keep these gruesome characters moving smoothly, each one uses up to 20 bearings from igus Inc., East Providence, R.I., to enable the rotating and oscillating movements of various parts, such as bloody pop-out pieces, grabbing hands, and swinging coffin doors. Scareparts uses iglide J and iglide M250 bearings because they're made of plastic and require no maintentance or lubrication. These bearings can withstand the severe weather, dirt, mud, and high humidity to which many of the props are exposed. For more information, visit igus.com or scareparts.com.

Sponsored Recommendations

April 16, 2025
Clean. Compact. Less heat.
April 16, 2025
SEW-EURODRIVE Introduces DR2C motor, IE5 Ultra-Premium Efficiency Motor
March 31, 2025
Unlike passive products - made of simple carbon springs - the bionic prostheses developed by Revival Bionics are propulsive, equipped with a motor and an artificial Achilles tendon...
March 31, 2025
Electric drives are a key technology for the performance of machines, robots, and power tools. Download this guide for an introduction to high-quality mechatronic drive systems...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Machine Design, create an account today!