Personal Transport Vehicle Uses Plastic Bearings
The iglide® self-lubricating, maintenance-free plastic bearings are being used in the design and development of a single-passenger, urban commuting vehicle.
IGUS (originally published in 2013)
Cool Stuff
Jun 4, 2025
The Personal Transport Vehicle, Ground (PTV-G), is the brainchild of Redbud Technology LLC out of Union Grove, AL. The design uses an articulated steering geometry where the inclined steering pivot is positioned just behind the occupant, and as a result reacts like a high-performance, two-wheeled motorcycle.
iglide plastic plain bearings are used in both the independent rear suspension and in the rear wheel lean-and-tilt mechanisms. The bearings are ideal for the harsh, dirty operating environment of the vehicle since they will not corrode and require no maintenance or external lubrication. The low cost and easy installation of the bearings is also an important benefit.
In conjunction with the company's Y.E.S. (Young Engineers Support) Program, igus donated bearings at no cost to a group of students working on the project. The 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 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 US. They seek to establish relationships with educational institutions and seasoned mentors to foster new learning models. igus’ 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.
Redbud Technology is actively evolving the design and engineering of an urban 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, which includes fundamental 3D CAD/CAE/CAM, design, innovative engineering, and economical manufacturing, assembly, and lifecycle maintenance.
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