Whether plain bearings, linear or drive technology: shipbuilders worldwide rely on seawater-resistant plastic components from igus

Summertime is holiday time. People lying on the beach often look out over the sea, which is lined with boats and yachts. To ensure that they remain corrosion-free and require as little maintenance as possible, components that can withstand severe weather conditions are required. Parts such as plain bearings, linear and drive technology from the plastics specialist igus have been proving their worth for years in the rough conditions prevailing in sea air and salt water.

Plain bearings made of high-performance plastic can be found in the mechanisms of doors and sliding seats, tables and beds, among other things. The small components are anything but trivial. They help shipbuilders solve several problems at once. An example: hinges of a door that leads to the deck. Classic metal bearings quickly reach their limits here. Firstly, they tend to corrode when in contact with sea air and salt water. Secondly, due to the required lubricating grease, they quickly become dirt magnets. Over time, a mixture of oil and dirt develops, which is not only unsightly, but also makes the door less smooth-running. These problems are the reason for more and more shipbuilders across the globe to switch to igus plain bearings made of high-performance plastic.

Robust polymer bearings withstand constant ups and downs of the waves

A small investment with a big effect – this is what Lethe Exterior GmbH from Bremen proves. The company develops exterior doors for yachts that start at a length of 70m. They are quite heavy-duty, as they have to withstand high water pressure in an emergency and be fire-resistant at the same time. The bearings in the door bolts are therefore subjected to high loads – in an area of only a few square millimetres. A job for metal, you might think. However, Lethe opted for igus polymer bearings made of iglidur G, which is seawater-resistant, corrosion-free, particularly resilient and offers very good sliding properties. Freedom from lubrication is also essential, and not just because of the looks. Solid lubricants integrated into the material are released during operation, ensuring smooth dry operation – without any external lubrication. “Our polymer bearings are therefore not only seawater-resistant and durable, but also maintenance-free. At the same time, they protect the environment as water and soil are not polluted by lubricating grease or oil”, explains Lars Butenschön, Head of Business Unit iglidur Plain Bearings at igus. Another bonus: since the iglidur G plain bearings are part of the standard product range, they are also cost-effective and quick to deliver.

Linear and drive technology from igus also optimises window lifters in yachts

However, components from the plastics specialist are not only found in the mechanics of seats, tables and doors, but also in yacht windows. The company Glaskeil from Würzburg, for example, which specialises in ready-to-install and tailor-made glass products for yacht construction, has built an automatic window lifter with a linear guide system from igus. The centrepiece of the solution: toothed belt axes of the drylin ZLW series, installed right and left along the longitudinal struts of the window frame. With a clearance height of only 31mm, the toothed belt axes are particularly compact, which makes them perfect for easy adjustment and positioning tasks in confined spaces. A toothed belt made of neoprene, reinforced with glass fibres, runs through the middle of the rail and driven by a drylin E series DC motor. The DC motor’s flange size of 42mm also saves space since it requires no motor flange, coupling or complex external power electronics. Furthermore, it withstands a wide range of temperatures from -10°C to +60°C. Due to the lightweight design using plastic and aluminium and their low inertia, the toothed belt axes of the ZLW series are quiet and particularly efficient. At the same time, they are easy to control. All that is needed is a simple stepper motor output stage that is reliable, cost-effective and easy to operate. For this reason, Glaskeil uses the dryve D5 motor control system, which enables fast commissioning. Linear and drive technology as well as plain bearings from igus give users a long-lasting solution that can withstand aggressive salt water and considerable temperature fluctuations.