igus develops FDA-compliant liner for food industry
Lubrication-free, corrosion-resistant product also approved for use in Europe
igus has developed an FDA compliant liner made from high-performance plastic that is suitable for the special hygienic requirements of the food and beverage industry.
The liner, made with igus’ iglide A160 material, is also EU-compliant. igus, the Germany manufacturer of motion plastics, runs its North American operations out of Providence, R.I.
Linear guide systems from igus ensure the precise and quick adjustment of machines in the food and beverage industry. Integrated, maintenance-free and wear-resistant liners used in the carriages enable the guides to glide without lubrication. The new igus liner offers long service life on FDA and EU-compliant stainless steel shafts and in wet areas.
Corrosion resistant and lubrication free
Machine elements in food industry applications must be clean, corrosion-resistant and lubrication-free. Increasingly, plastic and maintenance-free solutions are proving to be the right choice.
Lubrication-free linear guide systems from igus are already used in numerous applications in the food and packaging industry due to their wide range of performance, whether it is in beverage filling systems or in the bottle processing industry.
Liners from igus made of high-performance plastics ensure a smooth and clean adjustment. They are manufactured with the iglide A160, which complies with the FDA and EU Regulation 10/2011EC. The material has an extended service life on stainless steel shafts, even in wet areas. The service life can also be calculated online.
The high-performance plastic is also characterized by high media resistance and is impervious to contamination due to its integrated dirt channels. The liner is also easy to clean and replace. Its blue color is also easily detectable if a piece falls into a food or beverage product.
The new linear bearing component is available in eight dimensions for all drylin W housing bearings and carriages as well as for all drylin R round guides.
Extensive testing
igus has tested the new liner on various steel shafts in its 2,750-square meter test lab, the industry’s largest. The liners were tested in comparison to plastic liners made of other igus materials, such as iglide J200, iglide J, iglide A180, iglide E8, and iglide X.
The iglide J200 is an established standard material on aluminum shafts, while iglide J is suitable for all shaft surfaces. For applications with drylin linear systems on steel shafts, iglide E7 is an endurance material while iglide X liners are particularly suitable for applications requiring high temperature and chemical resistance.
Test lab results showed the iglide A160 liner has the best wear values on various stainless steel shafts, and is therefore an ideal product for stainless steel linear guides used in the food industry.
