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igus® has been manufacturing engineered plastics for 50 years, and develops each of the materials and all technology behind its products. Committed to using its innovative polymer materials to develop products that provide creative solutions and exceed customer expectations while delivering fast, accurate service. igus®’ polymer blends are used throughout its range of product lines of cable carriers, plastic bushings, spherical bearings, and linear bearings, guides, and slide tables. With constant advancement and technological breakthroughs, igus® is continually expanding its range of materials, and performs rigorous testing to ensure every product meets and exceeds industry standards. igus® sales engineers are available throughout North America for on-site technical support, friendly customer service is available 8am – 8 pm, and igus® offers over 80,000 parts in stock, ready to ship as early as that day. igus® also offers 3D CAD files, samples, and online tools, all completely free.
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POSTED 04/22/2011
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Plastic plain linear bearings replace PTFE-lined bearings in post-plating machineEast Providence, RI - A machine used during the post-plating stage of a high-performance metal finishing process uses DryLin® R linear plain bearings from igus® to apply an abrasive, thermal-resistant coating to the interiors of large exhaust pipes. The bearings replaced PTFE-lined bearings, which were binding as the fine wet grit worked its way between the liner and the shaft. With the machine’s rigorous operating schedule, the DryLin R linear bearings are in constant operation 24 hours a day, five days a week.
In the metal-finishing and plating industry, special surface finishes and spray coats are used to prevent issues related to wear, corrosion, high temperatures, and lubricity. Whether for performance reasons or simple aesthetics, it is important that the finishing or plating applied to a product is completed correctly. A 56-year veteran supplier of products requiring high-performance metal finishing custom designed the machine. It uses four spray heads, each guided by a DryLin R linear plain bearing, to spray the abrasive, sand-like media.
DryLin R linear bearings are now used in this application because they are optimized for aggressive environments thanks to patented dirt channels: grooved inlays on the bearing’s liner that prevent buildup. The bearing uses the liner’s individual glide pads to wipe away any excess media and move it into the contact-free areas. The glide sections then slide freely on the shaft that has been cleared of all contaminants. They are also self-lubricating, which eliminates the need for messy oil or grease.
DryLin R linear bearings also eliminated abrasion and maintenance on the custom-designed machine. Metal-on-metal contact is no longer a concern like it was with the PTFE-lined bearings, which had to be replaced every five weeks. This maintenance took hours and was costly. Instead, the DryLin R bearings are only serviced four times per year using a simple shot of pressurized air to keep them clean. If DryLin R does need to be replaced, the bearing’s split adapter means shafts do not need to be removed from the housing. Instead, the two shells of the adapter separate so the split inner-liner can be easily pushed off of the shafting. This unique feature can offer up to a ninety-percent saving in replacement costs. Split adapters also help to keep installation times to a minimum.
To request a free sample of DryLin R, e-mail [email protected] or call 1-888-803-1895.
About igus
igus develops industry-leading Energy Chain® cable carriers, Chainflex® continuous-flex cables, iglide® plastic plain bearings, igubal® spherical bearings, and DryLin linear bearings and guide systems. These seemingly unrelated products are linked together through a belief in making functionally advanced, yet affordable plastic components and assemblies. With plastic bearing experience since 1964, cable carrier experience since 1971 and continuous-flex cable since 1989, igus provides the right solution from over 80,000 products available from stock. No minimum order required. For more information, contact igus at (800) 521-2747 or visit www.igus.com.
DryLin, igus, Energy Chain, Chainflex, iglide, and igubal are registered trademarks of igus Inc. All other company names and products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.