igus drylin W linear guide

igus has developed the drylin W linear guide with a polymer carriage that can be removed for cleaning without tools. The system has EHEDG certification, making it officially approved for food technology.

Almost every designer of automation solutions for the food industry works with linear guides. For example, they enable the movement of sealing stations in thermoforming packaging machines, the positioning of dosing heads in filling systems and the guiding of knife units in bread slicers. Although indispensable, linear guides present a challenge in applications with stringent hygiene requirements. This is because lubricants, abrasion and dirt can accumulate in gaps, contact surfaces and hard-to-reach areas.

igus has designed this new linear guide in such a way that it can be dismantled without tools. The system consists of two stainless steel shafts and a monolithic polymer sliding carriage onto which users can bolt their structures. In the event of a complete system cleaning, the carriage can be simply pulled off the rail and cleaned separately. The rail can be cleaned in place without disassembly.

In accordance with EHEDG guidelines, the linear guide has a lubrication-free hygienic design to reduce the risk of contamination. The electropolished round shafts have a surface roughness of less than 0.8 micrometres, which facilitates effective cleaning as germs and product residues hardly adhere to the smooth surface. A floor seal made of FDA-certified silicone is also designed to ensure that no dirt or micro-organisms can accumulate between the rail and the surface.

Another feature is the carriage made of the blue high-performance polymer iglidur A160. It is PTFE-free and PFAS-tested, and integrated, microscopic solid lubricants are designed to ensure hygienic, lubrication-free dry operation. The material also has a low total moisture absorption, which helps the carriage retain its shape and functionality even after many cleaning cycles.