In the food and packaging industry, machine builders are increasingly turning to clean and hygienic plastic solutions. igus has developed complete solutions for film and label guide rollers, consisting of various tube materials and polymer ball bearings with flange. The lightweight systems are now available with a fully-enclosed side. In addition, installation of the new rollers is much easier than before.

Under the brand name xiros, igus offers maintenance-free and, above all, lubrication-free polymer ball bearings. In the food and packaging industry, in particular, their key advantage is that there is no risk of contamination due to leaking lubricants. New in the xiros product range is a ready-made system solution consisting of an aluminium, PVC or carbon tube and two flange ball bearings made of xirodur materials with stainless steel balls. Especially the PVC version, which consists entirely of materials approved by the food industry.

 

The extremely light guide rollers are available in various diameters and lengths with millimetre accuracy. If a more ergonomic roller is required, igus can now support the machine builder with new guide rollers having one side completely closed. “The ready-to-install solution with polymer ball bearings and individual shaft and tube lengths is easy to configure. Assembly and disassembly is simple and does not require tools,” said Marcus Semsroth, head of xiros polymer ball bearings division at igus. Compared to commonly used stainless steel tubes, the aluminium tube weighs significantly less, which in turn has a positive effect on roller inertia.

 

The dry operating xiros polymer ball bearings also offer less friction than lubricated metal ball bearings. This is because the balls do not have to overcome the resistance of the lubricant - so they operate much more smoothly. Very convenient for the machine builder: With the help of the xiros service life calculator, the predicted service life of the polymer ball bearing can be determined online in just a few steps.

Igus GmbH is a globally leading manufacturer of energy chain systems and polymer plain bearings. The Cologne-based family business has offices in 35 countries and employs around 3,800 people around the world. In 2017, igus generated a turnover of Euro 690 million.