42 n SCIENTIFIC AND MEDICAL May 2025 www.drivesncontrols.com Sight-saving surgical microscope wins the 2025 Manus award A mobile surgical microscope that uses lubrication-free polymer bearings to increase its reliability has won this year’s Manus Award, presented annually by igus for developments that demonstrate innovative uses for plastic bearings. The prize – consisting of €5,000 plus a hand-shaped trophy – has gone to a German company, Prechtl Tech Solutions, which was one of 613 entrants for the 2025 awards. Prechtl’s engineers have used lubricationfree bearings to increase the reliability of its microscopes which are donated to doctors working in areas with limited infrastructure – usually in developing countries – allowing them to treat eye diseases such as cataracts. One problem is that it is often impossible to maintain or repair the microscopes at these remote sites. If the bearing points in a conventional microscope stand are not lubricated, the bearings can become damaged and unusable. Prechtl was determined to nd an alternative. The company’s engineers have developed a lightweight surgical microscope that can be assembled in ve minutes without tools, and works without a power supply. Igus iglidur G polymer plain bearings and thrust washers in the microscope’s joints ensure maintenance-free and fail-safe dry operation for many years, as well as reducing weight considerably compared to using metal bearings. The lube-free bearings also make the microscope hygienically safe, because no lubricants can escape. Cylindrical plain bearings are used in the microscope’s main joints, where they not only perform bearing functions, but also enable the joint to be clamped due to the local radial pressure on the bearing. Larger anged bushings are also used as radial/thrust bearings in the main joints. Smaller anged bushings allow direct integration into the metal components of a parallelogram arm without needing additional bearing mounting parts. They also oer the option of using commercially available hinge pins instead of expensive custom parts. An iglidur G thrust washer is used to lock the parallelogram arm. The jury of experts that chose the awardwinner, praised its simple and economical design for such an important cause. Other winners of 2025 Manus awards include a bicycle trailer for parcel delivery, an AI hoe for agriculture, and an agrivoltaics irrigation and cultivation system. More information on the winners can found at www.igus.eu/manus-award n A surgical microscope that can be used reliably in remote areas has won the 2025 Manus award for innovative uses for plastic bearings. Its lubrication-free bearings avoid the risk of contamination and weigh less than metal bearings. Prechtl’s surgical microscope is helping to save sight is some of the world’s poorest regions motors was their ability to operate in space. “Seeing that these motors had heritage in other space projects was a huge plus for us.” The drive system required careful sizing. In a vacuum, heat cannot be removed by convection, and the only way of dissipating it is via conduction. To ensure long-term operation without overheating, the drive system is oversized compared to terrestrial applications, but the torque density and mass had to be chosen to t into the satellite’s compact footprint. The DCX motors ensure smooth control thanks to an ironless core that avoids cogging. Prototypes of the Hibiscus satellite are currently undergoing rigorous testing. “Thermal imaging from space is still something very new,” says Gomez-Jenkins. “Not many organisations are aware what can be achieved, so we’re continuing to push the advantages of cost-eective, precise analysis of heat maps, for the benet of a wide variety of applications.” n The Hibiscus satellite will open up new possiblities in space-based thermal imaging
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