igus presents maintenance-free systems for packaging industry

June 26, 2014 6:15 am

The plastics expert igus offers products for cost-effective and zero-maintenance options for packaging machinery design
 igus presents a wide range of innovative products – ranging from food grade tribo tape to fully harnessed energy chain systems. These are specifically developed for the stringent demands of the industry.
“Manufacturers of packaging machinery rely upon high-performance components especially where products must be packaged in a time and energy-efficient manner”, states Lars Braun, Head of Industry Management – Packaging Industry at igus GmbH. “Machinery has to be designed and manufactured within strict rules and regulations, whilst minimising associated costs, in order to do this we offer individual components as well as complete systems for drive technology.”
Food grade: quality standardsAt igus, most food grade products are produced in blue, and are therefore clearly identifiable. The world’s first tribo tape made from proven iglidur A160 materials is suited for a range of applications due to its friction and wear values. Specifically, its maintenance free dry-running properties make it an ideal component for packaging machinery as a sliding surface where low friction is essential. Another example, and with an equally wide range of design freedom, iglidur A160 is also available as stock bar. Food-grade materials, iglidur A181 and iglidur A350 are used for even more specialised challenges, such as high temperature applications.
Even for conveyor technology, the injection moulded knife-edge rollers from igus allow the complete avoidance of additional lubricants, whilst also providing better wear values when compared to PET-P versions.
Complete drive systemsAs a system manufacturer, igus also has developed a presence in drive technology. The drylin product range has evolved and is enhanced by the linear modules drylin SLW Protect and drylin SLWT-1080. drylin SLW Protect is designed for sensitive environments. The durable drylin W linear rail provides an effective protection mechanism that safeguards the lead screw and lead screw nut against impact from falling components and debris. This enhances its maintenance-free characteristics, a feature also shared by the drylin SLWT-1080. Its new linear unit is equipped with a twin lead screw, which allows separate control of the carriages. Various lead screw pitches can be combined, therefore providing maximum design and operating flexibility. The drylin E stepper motors also create new design possibilities. The compact design of the laterally mounted motor flange allows the motor to be mounted adjacent to the system, therefore reducing the overall system footprint.
The new xiros ball bearings made from FDA compliant xirodur F180 material, combined with igus’s aluminium guide rollers provide yet wider options for packaging system solutions, included within this are the cost-effective flanged ball bearings made from xirodur B180 (available in various diameters,) which also fall into the igus approach of consistently striving for improved solutions.
Complete systems for energy chains and cablesThe readychain and readycable product range seamlessly integrate into the igus system concept. Fully harnessed energy supply system solutions ensure savings in logistics and downtime. The innovative plug-and-play method of “readychain speed“, where the connector and mounting bracket form a compact unit, allows the complete energy chain to be connected within seconds without the use of tools.. This significantly reduces assembly and maintenance time. Ranging from individual components to complete systems, igus provides in excess of 100,000 products for packaging machinery designers and builders.