Press releasePM0806-engl
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First complete plain bearing toothed belt axis
Maintenance-free polymer bearings - igus at the "Anuga FoodTec"
igus GmbH, Cologne, is presenting a wide and varied range of plastic plain bearings, linear bearings and spherical plain bearings at this year's Anuga FoodTec in Hall 6, Booth O/019. The machine components made of high-performance polymers represent a low-cost alternative to conventional ball bearings or metallic rolled bushings. They are used in numerous machines and systems in different industry sectors, including the food and packaging industries, where they are being used increasingly. In the meantime, around 20 % of igus' domestic turnover is from its bearings product range.
Food contamination-free
In contrast to ball bearings which need continual care, the plain bearings of the "iglidur" range, the spherical plain bearings of the "igubal" series and the linear bearings of the "DryLin" series require no maintenance at all. This is because they are lubrication free, which is particularly important for food processing systems. Lars Braun, Food and Packaging Manager at igus: "The product to be processed or packed must never be contaminated by machine oil or grease." The resistance of polymer bearings to cleaning chemicals and high temperatures also plays a decisive role in their selection. Examples of applications are in sausage meat, fish and fresh meat processing systems, in coating systems for sweets, waffle baking machines or filtration units, as well as in packaging lines of all kinds. The bearings are suitable for linear, rotating or oscillating movements and are ideal for high loads with low running speeds. Combined linear and swivelling movements are also possible.
Anuga FoodTec - New: maintenance-free linear system
One of the central focuses on the igus stand is its new linear toothed belt axis "DryLin ZLW", which is the first positioning unit to be fitted completely with plain bearings. It is maintenance free and low weight and it is particularly designed for the quick positioning of small loads. The sliding elements of this extremely quiet ZLW axis are made of igus' "iglidur J" polymer, whilst the bearings of the material "iglidur L 250". The housing parts are made of sturdy plastic and the profile of hard-coated aluminium. All connecting screws are made of stainless steel. A second version uses ball bearings for the deflection shafts, which makes higher traverse rates possible. Apart from these bearings, this axis is also completely maintenance and lubrication-free.
Anuga FoodTec - New material with FDA approval
The new material "iglidur A 180" also deserves special attention. This is a special high-performance polymer which has been granted FDA approval. The plain bearings made of "iglidur A 180" are temperature resistant up to 90°C. Its low humidity absorption and good chemical resistance are indispensable properties due to the cleaning processes required in food and packaging technology.
More than 4,000 laboratory tests a year
igus engineers develop more than 100 new plastic compounds every year. These are tested in the company's own laboratories in over 4,000 tests a year for their suitability as maintenance-free, self-lubricating plain bearing materials.
All the results of the tribological properties of the polymers are recorded in a comprehensive database. This allows the service life of a plain bearing application to be calculated exactly on the basis of empirically determined values.
Photo PM0806-01: igus GmbH, Cologne
New linear toothed belt axis "DryLin ZLW" completely fitted with plain bearings.
Photo PM0806-02: igus GmbH, Cologne
New material iglidur A 180 with FDA approval.
Photo PM0806-03: igus GmbH, Cologne
Food and packaging: All lubricants must be kept strictly away from products to be processed or packed.
CONTACT:igus® GmbH
Spicher Str. 1a
D-51147 Köln
Phone+49-22 03 / 96 49-0
Fax+49-22 03 / 96 49-222
/ The terms “igus, Chainflex, Easy Chain, E-Chain, E-Chain System, Energy Chain, Energy Chain System, Flizz, ReadyChain, Triflex, TwisterChain, DryLin, iglidur, igubal, Polysorb“ are legally protected trademarks in the Federal Republic of Germany and in case also in foreign countries.
PRESS CONTACT:
André Kluth
Corporate Communication Manager
igus GmbH
Spicher Str. 1a
D-51147 Köln
Tel. +49 (0) 22 03 / 96 49 - 611
Fax+49 (0) 22 03 / 96 49 - 631
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