Reliable linear technology for Christmas magic without downtime

MAKATI, Philippines - Feb. 24, 2026 - PRLog -- Every year, the holiday façade of French luxury fashion house DIOR captivates hundreds of thousands of visitors in Paris. Behind the enchanting winter display, however, lies a complex engineering challenge: creating moving installations that operate reliably for weeks in harsh outdoor conditions. For the 2024 display—featuring illuminated stars, floating handbags and miniature Eiffel Towers—DIOR's creative team relied on weather‑resistant, lubrication‑free linear modules from igus to ensure uninterrupted festive magic.

Outdoor Christmas façades must withstand rain, frost and strong winds, all while running silently and maintenance‑free during the busy shopping season. Repairs using cranes are virtually impossible in December crowds, making robust, low‑maintenance components essential. One of the key elements of DIOR's 2024 installation was a series of large illuminated stars with automatic doors revealing a moving female figure. Italian creative studio Mammafotogramma needed an electric adjustment system that was quiet, durable and unaffected by winter conditions.

"Recirculating ball screws weren't an option—they are too sensitive to moisture, dirt and frost," explains Gianluca Lo Presti, Technical Director at Mammafotogramma.

The solution came from igus: a drylin® SLW linear module with an electric lead screw drive. Its corrosion‑resistant aluminium rail and high‑performance polymer sliding bearings require no lubrication, as the material contains built‑in solid lubricants. This prevents dirt accumulation, eliminates freezing risks and ensures virtually silent movement.

"Thanks to these weatherproof modules, the figures operated flawlessly, performing hundreds of movements daily throughout the festive period," says Lo Presti. Michael Hornung, Product Manager for drylin Linear and Drive Technology at igus, adds: "Our polymer bearings remain reliable even at sub‑zero temperatures, ensuring smooth, quiet performance without any risk of blockage."

With igus' innovative motion plastics technology, DIOR's iconic Christmas façade delivered its full seasonal magic—silently, reliably and without a single service interruption.

You can find more information about the drylin SLW series here: https://www.igus.sg/drive-technology/linear-axes-with-spi...