Since 1988, Epilog Laser has focused on designing and manufacturing world-class laser systems. The company uses igus® Inc.’s line of plain plastic bearings in an Epilog laser engraving machine.

Iglide® J is used in a rotating thrust load application on the end of a lead screw used in a table rail assembly. The rail assembly is driven by a servo motor and timing belt in the laser engraving machine for raising and lowering a laser cutting table. The table is raised or lowered to focus the laser on the surface of the object to be engraved or cut.

The replaced application used a machined aluminum rail with a ball bearing to support the lead screw. The design is very expensive for a low-cost machine.

After building a prototype and testing several materials, iglide J flange bearings were selected. The combination of iglide J and replacing the machined parts with sheet metal led to an overall savings of more than 50% per assembly.

To learn more about Epilog Laser, visit www.epiloglaser.com.