As industrial users seek to eliminate lubricant-related maintenance costs and contamination risks, igus continues to develop its drylin polymer linear guides as a direct replacement for traditional lubricated systems. Linear guides are essential in machines that move along fixed axes, where conventional systems rely on grease and oil. Friction at the bearing-guide interface is a leading cause of premature failure, while lubricants introduce contamination risks in sensitive sectors such as food processing and pharmaceuticals.
According to Juan-Eric Davidtz of igus South Africa, drylin linear guides address these issues by using tribo-optimised iglidur polymers that glide smoothly on corrosion-free surfaces without lubrication. The principle of gliding rather than rolling eliminates friction-related wear and enables maintenance-free operation in dirty environments, under submersion, and in chemical and temperature extremes.
“We recently introduced PFAS-free and hygienic-certified linear guides, including the world’s first European Hygienic Engineering and Design Group-compliant system designed for food safety applications. Our hybrid roller carriages and compact locking carriages are also expanding the portfolio into precision positioning for consumer appliances and automotive interiors. Some ranges, such as our SLX series, can handle loads of up to 600 kg,” says Davidtz.
“Locally we have customers in packaging, mining and heavy industries that require good mechanical and corrosion resistance, while steel, manufacturing and other industries require high heat resistance, dust resistance and hygienic equipment. Medical laboratories and food and beverage users can adopt hygienic-certified systems aligned with international standards. We also assemble locally, which means shorter lead times and delivery, and technical assistance is available where necessary,” Davidtz adds.
The combination of corrosion-free materials and tribo-optimised polymers improves durability and contributes to lower noise levels in environments where quiet operation is important. The modular design allows flexible installation across different rail profiles and pillow blocks, making drylin systems suitable for a wide range of applications.
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