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Nova Biomedical develops biosensor technology for amino-assays. In one medical instrument, Nova uses DryLin N linear guides and DryLin R linear bearings from igus Inc. Both the DryLin guides and bearings are lubrication-free and maintenance-free.

The instrument that uses DryLin is comprised of a two-axis tray and a three-axis probe. The two-axis tray required a highly reliable, easily manufactures system. The motion is repetitive and accurate positioning is critical to ensure precise optimal performance. Bearings operate at elevated temperatures and come in contact with saltwater solutions. The three-axis probe needed to be a cantilevered arm that must be lightweight and accurate. Both systems were required to produce low friction, and be lubrication-free and maintenance-free, as the end-users are medical technicians unqualified to perform the maintenance.

To remedy this problem, both systems are equipped with a combination of fixed and self-aligning plastic bearings from igus, which reduces the manufacturing and assembly cost by greatly simplifying the assembly process without compromising performance. The result is two systems that meet or exceed all of their performance requirements, manufactured at an affordable cost.

Nova won a third place honor in manus, The First North American Plastic Bearing Contest for its use of DryLin. The company also eliminated technical problems and increased machine reliability in its medical instruments.

Ed Mulhern and Jonathan Scott, Mechnical Engineers with Nova Biomedical, spoke about their experience with igus.

“Igus products were initially considered primarily for the low-friction and lubrication-free operation, but other advantages soon became evident,” Mulhern and Scott said. “The low cost and ease of implementation were two other important factors in the ultimate selection of igus plastic bearings.”

To learn more about Nova Biomedical, visit www.novabiomedical.com.