Plain bearing
Just relax on the lake or glide completely carefree through the lagoon, all this is made possible by the electrically assisted “Ceclo”. To ensure that the ride remains very smooth for a long time, the French manufacturer of the same name now installs polymer plain bearings from igus instead of metallic ball bearings in their e-pedal boats. As a result, the lubrication-free and maintenance-free rotation of the propeller reduces maintenance costs and also meets strict environmental regulations.
Plastic and heavy loads? This time igus proves that the combination works with a new lead screw nut design. The injection-moulded dryspin JGRM polymer nut offers a cost-effective alternative to ball screw nuts. The new lubrication-free and wear-resistant design can move heavy loads. For higher axial loads, the new lead screw nut is also available with a stainless steel plate as a “Heavy Duty version”.
To enable solar panels to generate energy efficiently, solar park operators rely on movable modules that automatically align themselves to the position of the sun and thus ensure a high energy yield. igus has developed the igubal ESQM pillow block bearing specifically for mounting the modules on square profiles and has now expanded it with two additional dimensions. Plant operators worldwide receive a lubrication-free solution, resistant to dust and dirt, whose durability has been tested in the laboratory and is guaranteed for 25 years.
They divert films or labels: guide rollers with ball bearings. Mainly used, so far, in clear anodised aluminium, the new black guide roller from igus now provides a real sensation in packaging and labelling technology. The ready-to-install system is convincing not only visually, but also technically. It consists of black anodised aluminium tubes and maintenance-free, smooth-running xiros polymer ball bearings.
High speeds, long travels and compact installation spaces: every two years, igus GmbH bestows the vector award, with which fascinating and creative energy chain applications are honoured. This year, 266 entries from 32 countries were received. The gold vector was won by the multi-spindle lathe of Gildemeister Italiana S.p.A.. In a very restricted installation space, a total of eight harnessed energy chains guide cables and hoses reliably and safely.
Presented last year as a prototype, igus has now developed its first isense plain bearing series with five iglidur materials for predictive maintenance. Whether in the food industry, textile machines, forklifts or construction machines, with the intelligent isense plain bearings, users receive a durable and lubrication-free solution that provides information about their wear. Maintenance can be planned in good time and machine and system failures are prevented.
For the bearing of pivoting and rotary applications, igus introduces iglidur J3, a lubrication-free and long-lasting tribo-polymer. The endurance runner convinces, above all, with its proven, very low coefficient of friction. As the yellowish material did not always match the design concept of the user, igus has now further developed the tried-and-tested tribo-polymer into the black iglidur J3B. But igus always has the right material for other applications as well. The intuitively operated iglidur online expert system helps with the selection.
Defrosting glaciers and declining fish stocks are just two examples of the effects of climate change in Alaska. In order to raise awareness of the issue among the population and to promote alternative drives, the Hoepner brothers from Berlin are developing their amphibious vehicle “Urmel”. They want to travel across Alaska with it. In order for Urmel to be able to drive over hill and dale and ice and snow, light and wear-resistant bearings are required. With the support of igus, the young inventors opted for lubrication-free iglidur tribo-polymers.
With specifications such as low coefficient of friction and excellent vibration dampening, the tribo-polymer iglidur E7 has already proven its strengths in the sliding elements of the drylin linear technology from igus. Now the plastics specialist has also included the material in its plain bearings catalogue range. This also allows users to benefit from iglidur E7 mechanisms with rotating or pivoting movements. The low coefficient of friction of the material ensures smooth movements, reduces the required drive energy and saves additional costs.
For the designers of Surf Evolution, the metallic bearings proved to be too maintenance-intensive and too expensive in their novel surf machines. Looking for an alternative, they quickly came across the motion plastics from igus. And the design engineers were thrilled, because the retrofitting significantly reduced the maintenance and saved 70 per cent in costs.