Maintenance-free plain and spherical bearings withstand strong vibrations in grain sorters

Lubrication-free polymer bearing technology enables a maintenance-free and long-lasting operation.

This machine cleans and sorts all types of grain. To do this, the grain is first separated from other material using an air stream. Further sorting is carried out using various sieves. The components used should be as maintenance-free and durable as possible. They should also be free of lubricants so that the grain is not contaminated. Therefore, igubal rod ends and iglidur bearings are used, which fulfil all requirements.

Profile

What was needed: igubal spherical plain bearing, iglidurplain bearing
Requirements: Lubrication and maintenance-free, long service life, insensitivity to vibrations, dust, dirt
Industry: Agriculture, food
Success for the customer: The igus bearing elements used consist of high-performance polymers and combine high robustness with very good sliding properties. They are also self-lubricating so that active lubrication and maintenance are not necessary. Thanks to their dry operation, no dirt sticks to them.

Problem

Grain sorters can easily and efficiently separate grain from unwanted foreign materials, the rejects, using intelligent processes.
As in this application of a grain sorter, which cleans all types of grain such as maize and separates them from the rejects. The operating principle consists of two main steps. Firstly, an electric motor in the machine drives a turbine that generates an air flow. This first separates the grain, which is deposited in a sieve, from light rejects. In a second phase, the remaining grain is then sieved through several sieves with different diameters while they are in a rocking motion caused by the electric motor.
Plain bearings and spherical plain bearings are required at various points in the sorter, which must always operate flawlessly under strong vibrations, high loads and the effects of dust and dirt.

Solution

igubal rod ends and iglidur plain bearings are used at the various bearing points in the grain sorter.

igubal spherical plain bearings are self-aligning bearing elements made entirely of plastic. With igubal, the user utilises all the advantages of the high-performance plastics used. These can be used dry and also have very good vibration-damping properties. Since they are insensitive to dirt, can run in liquids and even in chemicals and are completely corrosion-resistant, they can be used for a wide variety of applications.

iglidur plain bearings are also bearing elements that, thanks to their self-lubricating properties, do not require external lubrication and thus operate completely maintenance-free. The different material compositions enable, for example, use at high temperatures, under continuous operation or under high static loads.

Overview of iglidur plastic plain bearings

Overview of iglidur spherical bearing technology