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igubal® Innovations
The latest igubal® spherical bearing innovations expand the range of self-lubricating solutions for solar tracking systems, flange mounted applications and high-load equipment. Across the product line, igubal® bearings provide grease-free, maintenance-free operation, corrosion resistance and reliable performance in dirty, outdoor and demanding environments.
New pillow block bearings for solar trackers, redesigned flange mounted bearings with reduced weight and smoother contact surfaces, and new solutions for demanding static loads give engineers more options for reducing maintenance and improving equipment reliability. igus® is also continuing to develop polymer spherical bearings for heavy-duty applications, including testing for increased static load capacity.
Heavy-Duty Spherical Bearings for High Loads
The new igubal® heavy-duty spherical bearings are designed for applications with high surface pressures and demanding static loads. Made from the proven TXH fiber composite material, the bearings are available with inner diameters of 30, 40, 50 and 60 mm and support dynamic loads of up to 80 MPa.
Their self-lubricating construction eliminates the need for external grease while providing high wear resistance and corrosion resistance. Vibration-damping properties help improve performance in demanding equipment, while negative testing for the most harmful PFAS substances makes these heavy-duty spherical bearings a durable, cost-effective alternative to conventional metallic bearing solutions.
Sealed Spherical Insert Bearings for Abrasive Environments
igubal® spherical insert bearings with integrated seals are designed to protect the bearing surface in applications exposed to dirt, dust, sand and other abrasive particles. An integrated seal made from iglide® A160 can be added on one or both sides of the bearing to help keep contaminants away from the moving contact surface and reduce wear.
In internal testing with quartz sand, the sealed spherical insert bearing achieved more than 200,000 cycles, while a comparable unsealed bearing failed after only a few cycles. The result is a longer-lasting, maintenance-free bearing solution for equipment operating in harsh and contaminated environments.
igubal® 2.0 Metal Rod Ends with Polymer Inner Rings
igubal® 2.0 combines the strength of a metal rod end housing with the maintenance-free performance of a self-lubricating polymer inner ring. Four iglide® materials are available with standard thread sizes and shaft diameters from 5 to 25 mm, allowing engineers to select the bearing material that best matches the application.
The combination of a durable metal housing and grease-free polymer bearing surface provides a long-lasting rod end solution without the maintenance requirements of conventional lubricated bearings.
| Material | Area of use |
|---|---|
| iglide J | High wear resistance |
| iglide A181 | FDA and EU 10/2011 conformity |
| iglide X | High-temperature applications from -100°C to +250°C, with short-term operation up to +315°C |
| iglide G | Applications with dynamic loads |
motion plastics in material handling
In conveyors, sorting systems, forklifts, and pick and place equipment, igubal® products help compensate for misalignment while supporting defined turning, tilting, and pivoting movements without lubrication. This makes them a strong fit for material handling systems that need dependable motion, lower maintenance, and cleaner operation across energy, data, and material flow.
Polymer spherical bearings for high static loads
Many high load applications still rely on lubricated metal spherical plain bearings, but igus is actively investigating grease-free polymer spherical bearings for high static loads through its igubal® heavy-duty study. The concept is based on a tribology-optimized interaction of material, geometry, and contact surface to distribute load peaks in a controlled way and support reliable performance under demanding conditions.
Because these bearings run without lubricants, they can help prevent dirt particles from sticking to the bearing point and support smoother running under load. igus reports that customer projects have already replaced lubricated bearing points and achieved load capacities of up to 70 kN, while reducing maintenance requirements and operating costs. The company is specifically inviting users with high static loads, strong impacts, and demanding environments to work together on project-specific solutions
Ready for a cleanroom?
Cleanroom-compatible spherical bearings require harmonised materials. Successful applications have already been realised with igumid G in combination with iglidur W300, J and X - lubrication-free and low in particles. Are you planning a cleanroom application with spherical plain bearings? Contact us!
Tech talk on our split flange mounted bearings
Our split igubal flange mounted bearings are revolutionising shaft bearings in confined production environments. Save up to 80% time when changing bearings and benefit from complete freedom from maintenance thanks to the absence of lubrication .
Discover in our tech talk how advanced bearing technology increases your machine performance and effectively prevents downtime.
PTFE-free materials for the igubal series
Sustainable designing - without compromise.
With iglidur J3, iglidur R and igumid G, we offer completely PTFE-free materials for the entire igubal product series.
Tested in our in-house laboratory in accordance with SQP M1227 and tested negative for 96 PFAS compounds classified as particularly critical.
Whether rod ends, pillow block bearings, flange mounted bearings or spherical bearings: our shop only shows a selection of the possibilities. Special dimensions can also be realised - just contact us. Together, we will find the right solution for your application.
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