Breakthrough in linear technology: New igus sliding material offers greater design freedom

40 percent less friction and new design freedom in linear technology: The newly developed iglidur E3 material makes it possible – and without environmentally harmful lubricants. (Source: igus GmbH)

Whether in an industrial environment or in the coffee machine: To maximize the lifespan of a linear guide and keep the required drive energy low, it is essential to minimize friction and wear as much as possible. The motion plastics specialist igus has now achieved a breakthrough in tribological plastics: With iglidur E3, igus has developed a new sliding material that has up to 40 percent better friction values and thereby expands the design flexibility in linear technology for users from the traditional 2:1 rule to 3:1 for the first time.

Extreme low friction in application and new freedom in design – this is offered by the drylin T miniature linear guide thanks to the newly developed sliding material iglidur E3. Depending on the operating point, it exhibits friction coefficients around 0.16, achieving up to 40 percent less friction compared to igus standard materials, measured on hard-anodized aluminum, and even less compared to conventional sliding materials. As a result, 40 percent less force is needed for manual adjustments. "This is an important step for greater design freedom, because it allows us to significantly expand the design space for the first time," explains Stefan Niermann, Head of the drylin Linear and Drive Technology Business Unit at igus. The traditional 2:1 rule, which generally applies to linear slide bearings, states that the distance of the driving force from the fixed bearing should not exceed twice the bearing distance. Otherwise, uneven movement or even system blockage can occur. The further the drive is from the guide bearing, the greater the wear and the required driving force. igus has now extended this design rule to 3:1, so the drive can be 50 percent further away without impairing the movement of the linear guide. At the same time, the required drive forces are reduced by 40 percent, saving 40 percent of energy in electrically driven applications. The drylin T miniature guide is available in three sizes: 09, 12, and 15, and is suitable for laboratory and medical technology as well as device manufacturing.

Proven to glide better – without environmentally harmful lubricants

Furthermore, the miniature linear guide with the new iglidur E3 sliders offers the well-known advantages of igus motion plastics. The use of high-performance plastics enables quiet operation and provides high dirt resistance as well as 100 percent maintenance-free operation thanks to built-in solid lubricants in the material. Eliminating lubrication not only saves money but also benefits the environment. Through new material blends and processing, as well as countless tests in the company's own, industry’s largest testing laboratory, igus has further pushed the limits of motion plastics and created new design freedom in linear technology.