See new bearings and energy chains at Machine Building Show

Two of the products highlighted on the stand will be the WJRM double hybrid bearing (pictured) and the R4.31 energy chain. igus drylin high-performance polymer bearings are maintenance-free and need no further lubrication over their entire lifetime. The bearings give excellent friction and wear values, and are resistant to dirt, water, chemicals and extreme temperatures, making them an excellent choice for machine builders. igus has a bearing life calculator on its website so that an accurate prediction of bearing life can be made easily and quickly.

The WJRM hybrid bearing offers a combination of roller and plain bearings, and is suitable for use on sliding machine tool doors, machine guards and control panels. By using the WJRM bearing, doors glide simply with minimum force thanks to the maintenance-free roller that supports the door's weight. The product's smooth-running design also features sliding pads made from the proven iglidur J plastic bearing material, which absorb shear and misuse forces; these run on a rail made from hard-anodised aluminium. A new version, the WJRM double hybrid bearing, features twin rollers with axes at 90 degrees to each other, which share the vertical load and also help to support offset loads better than the single-roller version.

In industries such as automation and materials handling, linear bearings that are exposed to swarf and debris can become jammed and, at worst, lead to production line failure. igus has an extensive range of robust linear guide systems that are resistant to detritus, maintenance-free and never need relubrication, thereby providing an extremely cost-effective alternative to conventional metal-based bearings.

Energy chains and cables

In addition, igus will be showing its range of energy chains, which are made from high-performance plastics; they are tough, resistant to corrosion and impact, offer high stability in the presence of UV, temperature extremes and precipitation, and exhibit extremely long working lives. Not only are they cost-effective to purchase and install, but they also offer end users a low cost of ownership. The R4L light enclosed energy chains also provide maximum protection against the accumulation of debris and operate smoothly - so they are particularly well suited to protecting and guiding cables found in machines. They can be delivered directly to the machine as ready-to-fit units, known as readychains, assembled to size and fitted with cables and hoses, suitable connectors and even including a guide rail, all of which enables machine builders and system integrators to reduce assembly times and storage costs. igus readychains are also highly beneficial when used to replace other cables and energy chains on existing machines, as they can help to reduce downtime.

Another highlight on the igus stand is the CFRIP cable that incorporates an innovative way to strip back long lengths of cable both quickly and easily. With just a few steps, the outer jacket of a CFRIP cable can be opened like a zipper to the desired length by simply pulling the special integral tear strip. igus claims that machine builders and electrical engineers can save 50 per cent of the cable stripping time typically required using conventional methods, but also avoid the need for additional cable stripping tools. Furthermore, it reduces substantially the chance of an inner cable being damaged by a sharp blade during stripping.

igus has been developing its cables for over 20 years and its chainflex cables have been designed with demanding moving automation applications in mind, giving reliable performance with high cycle rates, compact design spaces, and very small bending radii of as little as four times the outer cable diameter.

Experts from igus UK will be on hand to provide advice and guidance on selecting energy chains, bearings and cabling assemblies for specific application. To arrange an appointment, call Leanne Golding on +44 (0)1604 677240 or email [email protected].