Polymer Bearings Adopt Miniature Outlines

Igus has added two new mini polymer bearings to its Igubal range. Both are light and compact, simple to install and adapt to all angular misalignments. High performance polymer bearings are being used more and more in machine tools, handling equipment, laboratories and automation equipment. This trend is because specific material properties mean these bearings are dry running. They are maintenance-free, manage without a seal, even in heavily soiled environments, and are corrosion resistant in liquids and chemicals. With the new plain bearing, KGLM Mini, Igus has developed a highly resilient polymer bush, the wall thickness of which has been reduced to half that of the traditional KGLM bearing. The mini plain bearing takes up less room and can be supplied immediately ex-stock. Its housing and spherical ball liner absorbs vibrations differently to steel. The rotating, swivelling and oscillating movements of the self-supporting shaft take place within the spherical ball, which also has a dampening effect. The bearing housing is made of Igumid G, a particularly robust, reinforced polymer. The internal, independently moving spherical ball is made of Iglidur W300, which means a minimum coefficient of friction with the shaft. Secondly, Igus has developed a new mini pedestal bearing for high radial loads. The self-aligning bearing also absorbs high forces, but only weighs 30% as much as its predecessors. The mini version can be supplied to suit 5, 6, 8 and 10mm shaft diameters. The pedestal bearing is either fixed in place from below with self-tapping screws or with M3 machine bolts.