Plain bearing
igus, a motion plastics specialist, showcases what plastics can do with its first drylin W linear bearing made entirely of tribo-polymers. The linear bearing has been developed specifically for linear movements. At just ten grammes, it is quick to install, vibration-dampening, lubrication-free and ideal for transportable applications. The fact that it is injection moulded makes it very cost-effective. The injection moulding-optimised design also reduces its weight, lowering the necessary linear system drive energy.
In order to be able to move linear bearings on shafts with high precision, igus has now developed the W360CM series. The new polymer linear bearings consist of an aluminium housing and a thin liner, which ensure smooth and quiet operation combined with high rigidity. The bearings have hardly any clearance and allow precise movements. Thanks to the use of iglidur W360 high-performance polymers, the user does not need external lubrication. The dimensions of the new series match metallic ball bushings, so that they can be easily converted 1:1.
Especially for heavy-duty applications in the construction machinery or agricultural industry, igus now has the new tribo-material iglidur TX2 in its product range, which works without lubrication. Because even small excavators still need 50 litres of lubricant every year. The wound plain bearing bushings withstand very strong forces and increase wear resistance by a factor of 3.5 in load ranges with more than 100 MPa surface pressure.
iglidur I151 is blue, prints easily, and has an optimal coefficient of friction and wear. The new tribo-filament is a refinement of the easy-to-machine igus iglidur I150 all-rounder filament. Because it is blue, it can be used to manufacture special parts that are optically detectable in the food industry. Food compatibility according to the FDA and to EU Regulation 10/2011 also qualifies the high-performance polymer for use in the food and cosmetics industries.
So that users can get their wear-resistant knife edge roller even faster, igus has expanded its online shop to include the range of iglidur rollers made from high-performance polymers. Included in the new range are knife edge rollers made of the blue material iglidur A250. The new tribo-polymer is particularly characterised by its wear resistance at high belt speeds and fulfils the requirements of FDA and EU conformity at the same time.
Sailboats that lift themselves completely out of the water as if by magic. Sounds like a dream, but it is reality. The iFLY15 sports catamaran from CEC Catamarans GmbH lets the sailor fly over the water. For the automatic flight control system, the developers relied on the lubrication-free, lightweight and corrosion-free igus plain bearing technology. An innovative project that won the silver manus award in 2019. The winners of this year’s award for the best plain bearing technology application were chosen by the jury from over 580 entries on 9 March 2021.
When the market demand for a product is high, then the manufacturers and their suppliers are needed. Customised parts, such as plain bearings in special shapes, have to be delivered quickly and without complications. But it is not unusual for the production of special parts by injection moulding to take several weeks. The plastics specialist igus therefore now offers its customers the FastLine Service thanks to its expanded in-house toolmaking department. Lubrication-free, polymer plain bearings in special dimensions can be delivered within a few days at cost-effective unit prices.
Whether in dosing systems, on conveyor belts of filling systems or in labelling technology: you will find sheet metal and parts that are exposed to friction and wear in all these places. To increase the service life of the metallic components, igus has now developed a new coating material. The sprayed-on IC-05 tribo-polymer protects sensitive and small bearing points as well as sliding surfaces. It is optically detectable due to its blue colour and is approved for use in food technology. In the test, the material was able to convince with a four times longer service life than the coating powder IC-01.
They are compact and lightweight and show how things are done. They have been developed specifically for movement in tight spaces and give igus an entire PRT-04 modular system. The lubrication-free slewing ring bearing system comes in eight sizes. They feature outer tooth drive and angle stop (optional), and now also inner drive teeth and a locking function. This allows the design engineer to find the product needed for applications with very little installation space.
Coupling joints are exposed to various types of loads, such as permanent vibrations, edge loads and high tensile forces and compressive strength. The demands on the material used are therefore extremely high. With the igubal GPZM coupling joint, the motion plastics specialist is now presenting a double joint that is not only lubrication-free and maintenance-free, but also 20 per cent more flexible than the conventional solution thanks to a new housing material. This firmly encloses the ball stud, prevents the penetration of dirt and increases the dependability of the moving application.