Plastic contaminants in assembly systems can be easily detected

At each stage of the line sophisticated metal detectors and X-ray machines are installed to identify and reject all conductive metallic particle contaminants originating in the production environment or transport system. Designed specifically for use in the food and drinks industry, polymer bearing expert igus has developed a new variant of its igubal range made of detectable plastic. When these special igubal bearings are fitted to a machine, there is no possibility of any igubal parts contaminating the end product when a metal detector is fitted. Detectable plastic bearings are suitable for dry use at application temperatures ranging from -30 to +80°C, can run in liquids as well as chemicals, and are corrosion-resistant – so are not adversely effected by regular washdowns. In comparison to traditional metallic bearings, the igubal range offers better damping characteristics since the specially developed plastic material absorbs vibrations more effectively. The self-adjusting bearing components are manufactured completely from tribo-optimised plastic. The range includes lubricant and maintenance-free rod end bearings and clevis joints, flange, pivoting and pillow block bearings. Both the housing and spherical balls are made of detectable plastic.