Find your bearings

Heavy dirt accumulation, dust and swarf are commonplace for pillow blocks and fixed flange bearings which makes constant lubrication and maintenance necessary. Cost-effective injection-moulded igus spherical balls provide a lubrication- and maintenance-free solution for metallic pillow blocks. This article first appeared in the October 2021 issue of Food and Drink Business.

The motion plastics specialist has developed its igubal exchangeable spherical balls especially for pillow blocks and fixed flange bearings with metallic housings. These consist of the high-performance polymer iglidur J, which reduces costs since lubrication and maintenance are eliminated. The use of polymers prevents dirt and dust from settling in the bearing, which additionally reduces the sealing and prevents an unplanned machine downtime.

Within a few seconds, the igubal spherical balls can be mounted in place of ball bearings in existing classic metallic pillow blocks and flange bearing housings and now also in low-cost sheet metal housings. 

The balls are available in three dimensions for low-cost sheet metal housings (Ø 20mm, 25mm and 30 mm) as well as for cast housings (UC204-210).

The complete solution is available from Treotham Automation.