Igus says that self-lubricating plain linear guides offer a number advantages for robotic welding applications, as the lack of oil and grease helps to prevent dirt and weld spatter becoming trapped.
Welding robots play a key role within many industries - especially automotive. These robots use a linear slide on the top of the welding equipment to provide a wide range of movement. Traditional metal linear slides require regular lubrication, and the exposed lubricant on the bearing slides can trap dirt and welding spatter, eventually causing the machine to stop working. However, igus DryLin T linear guide systems are self-lubricating, thus prevents dirt and welding spatter getting trapped. One of the best-known compact car manufacturers in Germany has used igus DryLin T linear guides on its welding robots; the guides lasted throughout the entire production period of the car and were still fully functional on completion.
DryLin T linear guide systems are specially developed for this type of application in automation and handling systems. The profile rail and base body of the carriage are made of aluminium, with the rail being hard-anodised and the base body of the carriage being clear anodised.
There are six gliding elements made of iglidur J self-lubricating bearing material that serve as guide bearings; these are arranged in opposing pairs to make up three guide bearings, and each of these three guide bearings is continuously adjustable. All steel parts are stainless steel and the end caps are made of solid plastic.
Follow the link to see a movie of the igus DryLin T linear guide system in a robotic welding application.
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