Compact slewing ring bearing bring power to tiny spaces

The new lubrication-free PRT-04 Micro iglidur slewing ring bearing for very small installation spaces is the latest in a high-performing product series from Igus.

Miniaturisation means requirements for machine components are becoming increasingly demanding, where enabling movement in the smallest installation spaces is an engineering challenge for many companies. Now Igus has further developed its PRT-04 slewing ring bearing series for these tight space applications while keeping high load bearing properties.

A common goal for engineering companies is to save installation space and weight without sacrificing reliable performance, while keeping parts lubrication-free. Igus now makes this possible with the PRT-04 Micro. The motion plastics specialist completes adds to this product range with a particularly small but very strong slewing ring bearing – Igus’s smallest PRT bearing yet, with an outer diameter of just 60mm.

The bearing consists of three aluminium rings and a new sliding element made of the high-performance plastic, iglidur J. Igus says it runs particularly well on aluminium and maintains good wear values and therefore long service life. This material also has low moisture absorption and good chemical resistance.

Depending on different customer requirements, other materials can also be used. And like all Igus bearings, the PRT-04 Micro is 100% lubrication-free and therefore insensitive to dirt, dust and moisture.

Lightweight for moving applications

“The use of aluminium and plastic offers two decisive advantages: lightweight but at the same time stable construction,” says Dean Aylott, product manager for PRT slewing rings at Igus. “Despite its small size, the PRT-04 Micro can keep up with comparable products on the market and can accommodate high load ratings of up to 3500N in the axial direction, but is much smaller than some competitors.”

Smooth-running rotation and swivel movements are thus made possible in even smaller installation spaces, and this versatility, along with low weight, creates a wide range of possible applications.

Typical uses include swivel tables in trains and airplanes, and applications in automotive engineering where low weight also pays off in terms of fuel consumption. Less weight and less fuel consumption means higher sustainability, and eliminating lubricants also offers added value, because maintaining systems costs time and money. Thanks to the solid lubricants contained in the iglidur material, the bearing is free of grease and oils, is also maintenance-free, and particularly durable.

Another plus is that the PRT-04 Micro is a ready-to-install part that can be integrated directly into an application, eliminating costs in the self-construction of the bearing points.