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Tech Talk: The Proof Is In the Plastic
Over the past few decades, there has been a notable shift from recirculating ball bearings and PTFE-lined aluminum shells to high-performance plastic liners. This transition can be attributed to a number of factors, but two of the most important are material composition and the unique geometry of the replaceable liner.
1.1: drylin® liners do not require any lubrication, which virtually eliminates maintenance.
Material Composition
During bearing operation, a wet lubricant is typically applied to reduce friction and minimize wear. However, igus®’ plastics inherently contain solid lubricant as particles released in small amounts during movement. As a result, all igus® bearings do not require any external lubrication, which virtually eliminates maintenance and lowers costs.
drylin® R liners
Material: iglide® J
Color: yellow
Suitable shafting materials: case-hardened steel, stainless steel, soft stainless steel, and anodized aluminum shafting
drylin® W liners
Material: iglide® J200
Color: dark grey
Suitable shafting materials: anodized aluminum shafting
drylin®'s iglide® X liners
Material: iglide® X (for high-temperature applications up to 482° F)
Color: dark grey
Suitable shafting materials: chrome-plated and hardened stainless shafts
Geometry
Aside from their material composition, the geometry of the plastic liners also makes them unique. The liner may look deceptively simple, but in fact, it is not.
The part has a lengthwise slit which enables easy installation into a housing bore without any tools; this is also known as “slip-fit”. Unlike press-fit bearings, a slip-fit bearing has raised ridges on the OD of the liner that create a mechanical stop in the housing. This eliminates the risk of the liner shifting due to temperature changes or extreme axial loading. There is also a large pin on the OD of the liner that secures it radially to keep it from rotating.
1.2 drylin® liners have grooves that act like dirt channels so dirt and debris can easily pass through.
In addition, because of the slip-fit design, igus® is able to offer additional options. One example is the TJUI adapter, which makes bearing replacement possible without disassembling the shafts. Quick, easy liner replacement isn’t an option with a PTFE-lined bearing or ball bearing and is especially helpful in extremely harsh environments.
Lastly, the liner’s patented grooves serve two important purposes. First, if thermal expansion occurs, the grooves swell away from the shaft, which prevents the bearing from seizing. Second, in especially aggressive environments, the grooves act as dirt channels so dirt and debris can easily pass through the bearing system.
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igus® Canada Inc.+1 800 965 2496Contact an Expert
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