New Stainless Steel Linear Guide Devoloped by Igus

Igus has developed a stainless steel version of its DryLin W linear guide especially for corrosive environments,DryLin W Stainless is designed principally for the food processing and packaging industries and for chemically exposed or underwater applications. The rails are made of V4A high-grade steel (316 Ti). This means the guides not only offer maximum corrosion resistance, but they also withstand many different chemicals and are resistant to temperatures up to 250C. The linear system needs no lubrication and therefore does not require any maintenance during normal operation. The linear bearings are offered with the option of running on Iglidur J or Iglidur X polymer bearings. Iglidur J is well-known for its minimal wear, chemical resistance and vibration damping properties. The high performance polymer also absorbs very little moisture. Iglidur X also has these traits, but is additionally pressure resistant, even under high temperatures. The new stainless steel guides are available as individual single rails with a diameter of 20mm, or as a double rail (10mm). Carriage size and the space between the rails can also be varied to suit the application. A company in Glasgow chose to integrate DryLin W Stainless when redesigning an existing transport incubator. Transport incubators have changed little since the 1950s and are usually based on an inappropriate, fixed ward incubator model. This means they are heavy, difficult to use, and offer little protection to a baby from the extreme challenges faced during transportation, such as noise, vibration and potential road traffic accidents. Lightweight Medical successfully developed its 'Neo-Capsul' transport incubator to allow the enclosed bed to slide out as far as possible to enable a baby to be reintubated: a frequent procedure absolutely critical to the survival chances of a baby. It was important that the bed action was smooth, reliable, did not require lubrication and, crucially, met infection control protocols. The linear transfer device also needed to operate under tight spatial constraints to ensure maximum space was left for neonate care. The company discovered the DryLin W Stainless system dramatically increased bed stroke and stability over competitors' products and offered a significant USP to the market. The system is also non lubricated, cost effective, exceeds infection control protocol, fits with the clean aesthetic of the Neo-Capsul and is a silent, low maintenance solution. The compact nature of the rail design also ensures that maximum space is provided for the baby. Rory Wilkinson, Director and Design Engineer at Lightweight Medical, says: 'Igus linear rails were the key component which helped us to solve a critically important design challenge which will help save the lives of very sick babies'.