PRESS RELEASE

Lubrication-free support for square profiles with new igus pillow block bearing

Impressive continuous operation of custom-made igubal solution for solar parks in 70-year simulation

The motion plastics specialist igus has developed an extremely tough and wear-resistant igubal pillow block bearing for the support of large square profiles of 110 millimetres. Thus, for example, in solar parks with moving panels, profiles can be supported without lubrication and maintenance. In the igus in-house test, the bearing has already survived a service life of around 70 years without problems.

The share of renewable energies in the electricity sector rose by more than 16 percent the past year compared to the previous year. For the solar industry this also means, inter alia, that more and more modern solar parks with automatic and maintenance-free tracking systems are needed. Perfect for these applications, the motion plastics specialist igus has developed the igubal pillow block bearing ESQM-110, with which square tubes of 110 millimetres can be supported without lubrication. Both the housing made of robust igumid G and the inner spherical ball made of the wear-resistant iglidur J4 consist of a lower part and an upper part for easy assembly and disassembly. Despite its low overall weight, this solution is suitable for the support of very high loads.

Successful simulation in the igus test laboratory

"In order to simulate the service life of the pillow block bearing reliably, we conducted a continuous pivot test with a load of 1.5 tons placed on the bearing," explains Thomas Preißner, igubal product manager at igus. "Normally, the solar systems pivot only once a day. With one pivoting per minute in our test, we simulated an operating time of 72 years – even afterwards, there were no noticeable wear marks on the bearings.

Due to the spherical ball, it is possible to compensate for alignment errors on the profiles in very large solar parks. In addition to the solar industry, the igubal pillow block bearings are also interesting for many other applications such as X-ray machines or washing systems. In order to provide a high degree of freedom in design for a very wide range of customers, igus also offers the possibility to obtain custom-made versions for further square dimensions on request, and can be delivered within 1 week.

Caption:

Picture PM6916-1

igus has developed the igubal pillow block bearing ESQM-110 for supporting square profiles in solar parks. (Source: igus GmbH)

PRESS CONTACT:
Oliver Cyrus
Head of Media and Advertising
igus® GmbH
Spicher Strasse 1a
51147 Cologne
Tel. 0 22 03 / 96 49-459
Fax +49 22 03 / 96 49-631

/ ABOUT IGUS:
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 2,950 people around the world. In 2015, igus generated a turnover of 552 million euros with motion plastics, plastic components for moving applications. igus operates the largest test laboratories and factories in its sector to offer customers quick turnaround times on innovative products and solutions tailored to their needs.

The terms "igus", "chainflex", "CFRIP", "conprotect", "CTD", "drylin", "dry-tech", "dryspin", "easy chain", "e-chain", "e-chain systems", "e-ketten", "e-kettensysteme", "e-skin", "energy chain", "energy chain systems", "flizz", "iglide", "iglidur", "igubal", "invis", "manus", "motion plastics", "pikchain", "readychain", "readycable", "speedigus", "triflex", "twisterchain", "plastics for longer life", "robolink", "xiros", "xirodur" und "vector"’ are protected by trademark laws in the Federal Republic of Germany and internationally, where applicable.

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