Plastic instead of metal: Replace recirculating ball bearing guides and immediately profit from the advantages of the dry operation provided by lubrication-free drylin® linear technology

The drylin® linear bearings enable maintenance-free and lubrication-free operation of parts of machines and equipment whose function is determined by relative movements in a straight line between components. The special dry-tech® high-performance plastics of the bearing bushings ensure that machine elements can be moved along a shaft or profile guide silently and with little friction. Compared to linear solutions with rolling elements, the acquisition costs are up to 40% lower and there are no additional operating costs.
 
In linear ball bearings, one or several rows of balls support the shaft. To work properly, they need a ball recirculation system that guides the balls back in the direction opposite to the shaft's direction of movement. The ball recirculation system and the high level of stress on the balls due to the load being applied to a small point on each ball are factors that result in potential weak spots and noise. Ball recirculation systems can be replaced with igus® linear bearings of the drylin® series in nearly all areas of use. Due to their simple structure, the drylin® linear plain bearings have very little susceptibility to failure. Lubrication-free operation means that the machine parts remain free of dirt, dust and moisture. Another benefit is the very quiet operation of the drylin® linear bearings.
 

 

The advantages in detail

Fact check: Plain bearings vs. rolling bearings

Properties	Characteristics of igus® plain bearings	Characteristics of rolling bearings	Technical data of igus® plain bearings	Technical data of rolling bearings	Especially relevant for the following industries:
Accuracy	+	+++	0.02 - 0.15 mm	0.001 - 0.01 mm	Machine tools, CNC processing, electronics manufacturing
Completely lubrication-free	+++	+			Medicine, packaging, food, cleanroom, consumer goods
Maintenance-free	+++	+			For many different branches of industry
Weight advantage	+++	+	Aluminium approx. 2.7 g/cm³ Polymer approx. 1.5 g/cm³	Steel approx. 7.8 g/cm³	Handling, automation, laboratory, leisure time
Highly dynamic responsiveness in the case of low loads	+++	+			Packaging, handling, automation
Highly dynamic responsiveness in the case of high loads	+	+++			Packaging, handling, automation
Stroke length variance	+++	++			Camera technology, textile
Coefficient of friction	+	+++	0,15 - 0,3 µ	0,001 - 0,05 µ	Manual adjustment, pivoting
Sensitivity to dirt	+++	+			Packaging, stone, textile, paper, painting equipment
Noise dampening ¹	+++	++	45-60 dB	60-70 dB	Medicine, laboratory, furniture
Cost advantage	+++	++			For many different branches of industry
Protection against corrosion	++	+			Filling systems, chemicals, food
Magnetism	+	+++	Plastic, aluminium	Steel	Medicine, testing instruments
Chemical resistance	+++	+	1.4751 + iglidur® X	1.4112	Medicine, food, electroplating, filling systems
Compatibility of the modules	+++	+			Jig construction, assembly line automation
Quiet operation without any vibration	+++	++			Camera technology, inspection, medicine, 3D printer
Short-stroke suitability	+++	+			Textile, handling
Easy assembly and quick replacement	+++	+			Jig construction, assembly line automation
Rigidity	+	+++			Machine tools, CNC processing, electronics manufacturing
Long travels of more than 10 m	++	+			Camera, material handling, logistics
Temperature resistance	+++	+	up to +250 °C		Chemicals
Smooth running	+	+++			Manual adjustment
Maximum acceleration ²	+++	++	50 m/s²	15 m/s²	Automation, handling
Maximum speed ²	+++	+	30 m/s	5 - 10 m/s	Automation, handling

1) Measured in the igus® laboratory, 400 mm stroke, manual adjustment
2) When subjected to low loads, depending on installation size 0.1 to 5 kg
Characteristics: +++ strong ++ average + weak

Change your bearings now!