More efficient machine designs and larger installation space thanks to new PRT-04 compact version

With a new compact version of its PRT-04 slewing ring bearing, igus offers a space-saving solution for precise rotary movements under medium loads. Due to lubrication-free high-performance plastics in the sliding elements, the bearing is maintenance-free and corrosion-resistant – ideal for modern machines with limited installation space.

Whether in packaging machines, assembly tables or control and operating panels on machine tools – slewing ring bearings ensure precise rotary movements even at high cycle rates. igus has spent more than 20 years developing slewing ring bearings made of wear-resistant high-performance plastics for precisely these application scenarios. The bearings have sliding elements with a radial and axial effect between the inner and outer rings. The maintenance-free design means that friction and wear are minimised without lubrication. igus has now developed a new compact version of its iglidur PRT-04 series specifically for the increasingly smaller installation spaces in mechanical engineering. “Our customers are increasingly faced with the challenge of integrating high-performance components into ever more compact machine designs,” says Marc Trenkler, Product Manager for Slewing Ring Bearings at igus. The particularly compact version of the proven slewing bearing offers designers a space-saving, lightweight and cost-effective solution for rotary movements under medium load. The special design with a reduced outer ring creates space in the inner diameter, allowing cables and drives to be integrated directly. Compared to the previous PRT-01 series, the compact version is around 50% flatter, 60% lighter and 20% more cost-effective – a decisive advantage for moving applications and modular machine designs. Assembly is also easier as the bearing is bolted to an axis on the outer ring.

High-performance polymers for every application

Thanks to the use of high-performance plastics such as iglidur J in the sliding elements, the bearing is not only durable, but also lubrication-free, corrosion-resistant and quiet. There are FDA-compliant materials such as iglidur A180 and iglidur A181 for special requirements as in food technology. The PTFE-free material iglidur JPF or the electrostatically dissipative material iglidur F2 also work as sliding elements.

Modular, versatile and tested

The new compact version is available for all installation sizes in the PRT-04 series. igus is also currently working on a space-saving version of its PRT-02 series, which is particularly suitable for applications with high tilting moments. For a quick and easy design of the slewing ring ball bearings, igus offers an online tool. At https://www.igus.eu/slewing-ring/online-configurator, designers can customise their slewing ring bearings and order them directly. igus also gives a 4-year guarantee on all products for which you can calculate the service life with the online tools. This is made possible by intensive testing in the company’s own 5,500m2 test laboratory in Cologne.