Cleanly operated: New igus bearing foil with FDA and EU conformity for linear systems

Approved for food contact: The new linear bearing foil made from iglidur A160 by igus. (Source: igus GmbH)

The wear test in the in-house igus test laboratory shows that the iglidur A160 linear bearing foil is the optimal sliding partner for stainless steel shafts. (Source: igus GmbH)

Linear guidance systems from igus ensure precise and quick adjustment of machines in the beverage and food industry. To enable the linear guides to glide without lubrication, integrated, maintenance-free, and wear-resistant bearing films are used in the carriages. Especially for the special hygienic requirements of the food industry, igus has now developed an FDA- and EU-compliant linear sliding film made from the high-performance plastic iglidur A160. It is characterized particularly by its high durability on FDA- and EU-compliant stainless steel shafts and in wet areas.

Cleanliness, lubrication-free operation, and corrosion resistance: these are the requirements the food industry places on the machine components used. Therefore, maintenance-free plastic solutions are increasingly the preferred choice. Lubrication-free linear guidance systems from igus are already being used in numerous applications within the food and packaging industry, whether in beverage filling plants or in bottle processing industries. High-performance plastic linear bearing films ensure smooth and clean movement. Specifically for applications in the food sector, users can now rely on particularly hygienic linear guides thanks to the new lubrication-free linear sliding bearings made from iglidur A160. The blue material is compliant with FDA and EU Regulation 10/2011 EC and is therefore ideally suited for the special requirements of the food industry. iglidur A160 has a particularly high and online calculable lifespan on stainless steel shafts, even in wet conditions. The high-performance plastic also features high chemical resistance. Another advantage: the linear film is insensitive to contamination thanks to integrated dirt channels, easy to clean, and easy to replace. The new linear bearing component is currently available in eight sizes for all drylin W housing bearings and carriages, as well as for all drylin R round guides.

Tested wear resistance on stainless steel shafts

In the company’s own 2,750-square-meter testing laboratory, igus tested the new linear film on various stainless steel shafts against the plastic sliders already offered in the igus range, made from iglidur J200, iglidur J, iglidur A180, iglidur E7, and iglidur X. iglidur J200 is established as a standard material on aluminum shafts, while iglidur J is suitable for all shaft surfaces. For users relying on drylin linear systems with steel shafts, igus offers iglidur E7 as a long-lasting option, whereas the use of linear sliding films made from iglidur X is particularly suitable for applications demanding high temperature resistance and chemical resistance. The wear test clearly showed that the new linear film made from iglidur A160 has the best wear characteristics across various stainless steel shafts. Therefore, the new linear bearing film is an ideal sliding partner for stainless steel linear guides used in the food industry.