Lubrication-free linear and spherical bearings for baked goods gripper

Profile

• What was needed: drylin W linear guides, igubal spherical bearings
• Requirements: reliable as well as lubrication-free bearing components needed. Since baked goods must not be contaminated, the requirements for cleanliness and hygiene were very high.
• Industry: food industry
• Success for the customer: while the drylin bearings enable the linear movement of the gripper, the igubal components ensure the constant pivoting movement of the two gripper arms. The materials are  completely lubrication and maintenance free.

Problem

The fully automatic packaging machine of the English machine manufacturer SP Technology Ltd. is used in the food industry, more precisely in the area of bakery products. A station includes a gripper, which is a handling system for the passing products. The function of the gripper is to place the incoming fresh bakery products in high quantity and under fast movement from a conveyor belt into baskets.
Reliable and lubrication-free bearing components had to be found for the gripping movement and the linear motion. Since the baked goods must not be contaminated, the requirements for cleanliness and hygiene are very high, especially in the food industry.

Solution

In order to remove a large number of baked goods from a non-stop conveyor belt and place them in baskets, bearing components made of plastic are now used in the modern packaging plant instead of the conventional metal bearings. Specifically, drylin W linear rails are used here, on which matching drylin W carriages travel. In addition to the precise and quiet bearings, double joints made of the material igubal have also been installed. While the drylin bearings enable the linear movement of the gripper, the igubal components ensure the constant pivoting movement of the two gripper arms. Due to the high-performance polymers used as materials in both the linear and rotary bearing elements, they are completely lubrication and maintenance-free. This is because the polymers are self-lubricating and therefore meet the high hygiene requirements in the plant.