Pit Stop For Linear Plain Bearings

Video: Pit Stop For Linear Plain Bearings

2023 Author: Hannah Pearcy | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-26 11:39

What does the lightning-fast change in a few simple steps and driving in seconds remind you of? Right - at the pit stop in Formula 1. The linear slide bearing experts from Igus also had this picture in mind when they developed the new exchange bearing for the Drylin-W linear systems.

The plain bearing film can be changed directly on the linear rail in just a few simple steps. The bearing, the linear guide or the linear axis is "productive" again after a few seconds. The goal: to reduce assembly work and downtimes to a minimum.

Picture gallery

Change of bearings directly on the rail

The Igus Drylin W replacement bearing has been on the market since spring 2018. “We already saw at the trade fairs that customers are very interested in the topic. The market launch in Germany is accordingly starting very well. In 2019, we are now taking the next step and rolling out the product internationally,”says Stefan Niermann, head of the Drylin linear and drive technology division at Igus.

The bearing change works like this: The side cover of the linear slide is loosened and removed with a screwdriver. With a tool supplied by Igus, the film is pushed out of the sled and removed from the rail. The new bearing can then simply be clipped on and inserted into the slide using the tool. If the side cap is also back on the slide, the bearing change is complete. A pin, which sits in the middle of the side cover, secures the film in the slide.

Alternatively, the exchange can also be carried out with a screwdriver. Igus has provided special recesses on the new slide film and in the slide.

Bearing foil made of high-performance plastic

The bearing foil consists of the high-performance plastic Iglidur J200. “Like all Motion Plastics at Igus, the material is lubrication and maintenance free. In addition, he achieved the best friction and wear results on hard anodized aluminum in in-house comparison tests. And that's what 90% of our leadership profiles consist of,”says Niermann, describing the advantages of plastic.

Warehouse technology

Plain bearings - basics, properties and applications

Knowledge is a competitive advantage Stay up to date: With our newsletter, the editors of construction practice always inform you on Tuesdays and Fridays about topics, news and trends from the industry.

Subscribe now

The extension to other materials would also be possible for the bearing foil of the replacement bearing. Niermann thinks of the FDA-compliant Iglidur A180, for example: “In the end, what counts is what the customer needs. We listen and find a solution together. By the way, such discussions and discussions with the customer result in many of our new products.”

Exchange bearings available in two new sizes

In November 2018, Igus expanded the exchange warehouse by two sizes. In addition to size 10, it is now also available for linear guides of the Drylin-W series in sizes 16 and 20. "No other sizes are currently planned, as these three variants cover all possible applications optimally," says Niermann.

This means applications in the 24/7 handling area or low-cost robotics. Because where linear guides and axes are in use around the clock, bearings should be replaced quickly and easily. In a conventional manner, the entire slide has to be pushed off the rail, which leads to complex disassembly and recommissioning. Therefore, replacement bearings are already in use here - especially in the new Delta robot from Igus.

Use in adverse environmental conditions

The quick and easy exchange also makes sense when used in adverse environmental conditions that place high demands on the bearings. Because the wear of the bearing foils used there is preprogrammed, Niermann knows: "We think of dust, stand and dirt in foundries, machining or cement plants."

The replacement bearing is available for all existing Drylin-W systems of sizes 10, 16 and 20. Linear guides, linear axes and portals can also be retrofitted.

Manus Award

Igus is looking for exciting slide bearing applications

Seminar tip In the patent law seminar for engineers and designers, participants learn how to read and interpret patents correctly. It also deals with the possibilities of having innovations protected, the process from the idea to the patent, strategic decisions on costs and benefits, and the violation of proprietary and third-party property rights when launching new products.

Further information

Bring Plain Bearings From The Prototype Into Series Production

KS Gleitlager is increasingly expanding the industrial business area. Steffen Schieszl and Mark Erlwein explain how prototypes go into series production and what trends there are in plain bearing technology

What Plain Bearings Have To Do With Perfect Vehicle Painting

The electrodeposition coating ensures a uniform and efficient painting of the car parts in vehicle construction, but also has its picks /u2013 for example as far as the car door hinges are concerned. Saint-Gobain supplies plain bearings and knows the problem

Competence Center Enables Industrial Plain Bearings From Batch Size 1

At the Competence Center Industrial Bearing in St. Leon-Rot, KS Gleitlager GmbH has specialized in smaller quantities of custom-made plain bearings /u2013 and this starting from batch size 1

Plain Bearings - Basics, Properties And Applications

Plain bearings are the counterpart to roller bearings. They are easier to set up and therefore more cost-effective to use. How they are structured, which materials and types of lubrication are available and which advantages and disadvantages compared to rolling bearings occur can be read here at a glance

Plain Bearings Are One Of The Most Important Machine Components

Konstruktionsspraxis spoke to Bernd Fischer, Group CEO of Technymon, about plain bearing technology. What do customers expect from the small mechanical drive component? Which storage materials will come into focus in the future?

Table of contents: