Record-low costs and sustainability: Our new slewing ring bearing

By OEM Update Editorial September 1, 2023 12:30 pm IST

igus is adding a ready-to-install low-cost variant made from regranulated high-performance plastics to its iglidur PRT series.

It is affordable, compact, lightweight and ready to install with a mouse click: igus has added a minimalist low-cost variant to its iglidur PRT series of slewing ring bearings portfolio. The PRT-05-15-PC not only reduces costs but also protects the environment. The new slewing ring bearing consists of 97% regranulated high-performance plastics.

From the packaging machine to the assembly line to the operating table, slewing ring bearings are used in many rotary movements around a fixed axis. However, the bearings are often oversized and too expensive for many bearing points with low loads, such as those found in furniture construction or display technology. Therefore, such applications often contain metal ball bearings. The problem is that the rolling bearings often take up much space and require assembly work because they often need fitting. They are also maintenance-intensive as they require continuous lubrication to function. “To eliminate these disadvantages, we decided to add a ready-to-install, low-cost variant to our slewing ring bearing portfolio,” says Marc Trenkler, iglidur PRT Product Manager at igus. “So far, there have been hardly any ready-to-install, relatively inexpensive slewing ring bearings on the market,” says Trenkler.

Minimalist design reduces required installation space, weight and costs
The new low-cost slewing ring-bearing design follows minimalist principles. “Our goal was to produce a light, compact, ready-to-install bearing with as few components as possible,” says Trenkler. The PRT-05-15-PC consists of inner and outer rings that slide over each other without balls. It is manufactured in a cost-effective injection-moulding process entirely from lightweight, high-performance plastic – without an ounce of metal. Its diameter is 100 millimetres, only 10 millimetres high and weighs 72 grams. The reduced complexity makes the new low-cost slewing ring bearing compact, lightweight and quick to assemble. “Our employees only have to put the inner and outer ring together with a clip bearing. This allows us to offer the bearing to our customers at low cost,” says Trenkler.

Low-cost slewing ring bearing made of 97% regranulate
The PRT-05-15-PC not only reduces costs but also protects the environment. The new low-cost slewing ring bearing has a 97% content of regranulated iglidur M260 and iglidur P4 high-performance plastics. These materials, such as production sprue, have already been processed. Valuable plastics are thus saved from incineration and transferred to a sustainable circular economy. The plastic also has microscopic integrated solid lubricants that are released during operation and allow low-friction dry operation without lubricating grease for an additional environmentally friendly effect, which is a great advantage. Every year, millions of tons of lubricants pollute the environment. Finally, the new PRT is durable, especially outdoors. The polymer bearings do not rust and are resistant to contamination from grease and dirt. This means that they can be replaced less often. “The iglidur PRT-05-15-PC thus contributes to the EU sustainability strategy,” says Trenkler. That strategy is aimed at making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 while boosting economic growth.

www.igus.eu