Maintenance-free plain bearings and lead screws in actuators in the automotive industry

• What was needed: iglidur ® plain bearing, dryspin® lead screw technology
• Requirements: Long service life and maintenance-free
• Industry: Automotive industry
• Success for the customer: The lubrication-free components from the dryspin® and iglidur® product range are completely lubrication-free and minimise the costs by eliminating maintenance; further advantages are e.g. low weight, freedom from corrosion, vibration- and shock-absorbing specification and cost efficiency

Linearis actuators are used in industry for adjusting flaps, e.g. in the ventilation sector, or for controlling slides. In general, all types of linear movements can be realised. In particular, Linearis actuators are used in painting lines in the automotive industry. The design of such linear units established on the market at the time involved the use of bronze spindle nuts, bronze anti-rotation devices (linear plain bearings) and axial needle bearings. For a new product generation, the manufacturer was looking for new components and, above all, innovative materials that would make the actuators even more reliable. This is because freedom from maintenance on the customer's premises is a key issue for actuators.

Aris has consistently implemented the use of innovative materials and technologies in the development of its new generation of damper adjusters. In a very conservative market, the new product was equipped with a plastic spindle nut as a replacement for the "traditional" bronze nut. In addition, various iglidur ® bearings and a dryspin® high helix lead screw are also used in the actuator. The iglidur® material can thus optimise the function at various points in the drive and create considerable customer benefits. In particular, the lubrication-free bearings are maintenance-free, which minimises costs and guarantees a long service life. In addition, the components used are suitable for use in the cleanroom, are low vibration, vibration and shock-absorbing, weight-optimised, corrosion-free and also cost-effective.