igus new low-cost curved guideway slider

The new drylin econ entry-level slider range for simple adjustment and positioning tasks costs up to 80 per cent less.

igus is launching the new drylin econ range of engineering plastic sliders made from high-performance recycled engineering plastic pellets. The sliders are made using the injection moulding process, which makes them extremely cost-effective and sustainable. The cost of the slider is 20% lower than comparable machined aluminium sliders. Thanks to the integrated removable bearings, the slider can even be smoothly bent on curved aluminium rails.

The new drylin econ series of engineering plastic sliders can even negotiate rail bends without any problems. They not only cost 80 per cent less, but are also environmentally friendly as they are made from recycled plastic granulate. (Source: igus GmbH)

Positioning of mobile advertising displays in a shoe shop. Adjustment of fixtures for conveying sweets in a snack vending machine. For this type of task, linear guidance systems based on rolling bearings that move cyclically between a slide and a steel guideway are often oversized. Design engineers are paying for mechanical specifications they don't need. With multiple pressures such as rising energy prices, supply chain disruptions and inflation, cost cutting is imminent for many companies." As a result, igus has now added a new range of cost-effective drylin® econ entry-level slides to its linear guide product category." Michael Hornung, product manager for linear and drive technology at igus drylin, said, "The range is suitable for simple adjustment and positioning tasks, including curved track applications."

Cost reduction of approx. 80 per cent for linear sliders

The new drylin econ series is a cost-effective alternative to igus' previous drylin linear plain bearing guideway series. The secret of its cost-effectiveness lies in the fact that the sliders are not machined from steel or aluminium, but are made from high-performance engineering plastics by injection moulding." This manufacturing process, which uses one mould for mass production, is much less time-consuming and reduces the cost of the slider from €112 to €21. for example, for linear sliders size 0630. which is a cost reduction of more than 80 per cent." Hornung says. The drylin econ series is also maintenance-free, which means that its operating costs are also low. This is due to the large number of solid lubricant particles integrated into the high-performance engineering plastic sliding membrane that connects the slider to the guideway. Unlike conventional rolling bearings, these bearings run dry without any additional lubrication. This saves the user a lot of maintenance time and material costs. These advantages also indirectly increase the price/performance ratio and attractiveness of the entire application. In addition, the system is very lightweight." The drylin econ is made primarily of engineering plastics and aluminium, so it has a very low deadweight and is suitable for many lightweight devices." Hornung said.

The slider can negotiate guideway bends with the help of a movable centring ball.

The drylin econ series sliders can even negotiate guideway bends without any problems. igus offers both linear and curved anodised aluminium guideways, of which the curved guideways can be further subdivided into convex and concave, as well as quarter-circle, half-circle and full-circle curved guideways. For these curved rails, the new slider's engineering plastic bearings flexibly adapt to the shape of the rail with the help of movable spherical balls." Even when turning, the slider runs smoothly and quietly without any noise." Says Hornung, "This is particularly important for applications such as vending machines (e.g., drink vending machines in hotel lobbies), which are installed in public places and have to be as unobtrusive as possible."

Sliders made from injection moulding production waste

The drylin econ series slider is not only low-cost to acquire and use, it is also environmentally friendly. It is made using the injection moulding process and the material used for its production is iglidur ECO P, a recycled plastic granulate made entirely from injection moulding production waste (e.g. sprues and non-conforming parts)." igus recycles the waste plastic instead of just throwing it away and incinerating it." Says Hornung, "We regenerate and granulate the recovered plastic and then put it back into the circular economy to save resources and protect the environment."