Costs for wear-resistant parts reduced by 15x when they are 3D printed from high-performance polymers

• What was needed: 3D-printed sliders made of iglide® i180
• Requirements: The machine is permanently used in a humid environment with a lot of dirt and sand, the gliders must be wear-resistant and temperature-resistant
• Industry: Agricultural machinery construction
• Success through cooperation: 15 times cheaper than metal glides, fast delivery for frequently required spare parts

The Riga-based company Mass Portal manufactures innovative 3D printing solutions for various applications. For this project, a solution was sought that would reduce the maintenance costs of floating mowing machines. Mowing machines remove fast-growing grasses from lake shores so that they can be used for swimming and water sports.

The cutting blades on the bow of the floating mower are tensioned and guided by special metal sliders. As the machine is permanently used in a damp environment with lots of dirt and sand, the metal sliders used until now wear out quickly and have to be replaced up to three times per season. This results in increased maintenance costs for the operators and costs of around 180 US dollars for spare parts.

3D-printed sliders made of iglide® i180 ensure the necessary robustness and lubrication-free running, even in damp environments and with intensive use of the bow shears. They can be produced quickly using a lockable 3D printer so that customized spare parts can be delivered within just a few days. The cost of spare parts has been reduced 15-fold thanks to 3D printing.

The tribofilament® iglide® i180 is also up to 50 times more abrasion-resistant than conventional 3D printing materials. Thanks to the incorporated solid lubricants, components made of iglide® i180 do not have to be additionally lubricated. Thanks to the abrasion resistance and optimum sliding properties, components made from this 3D printing plastic achieve a particularly high service life and can be used in a wide range of applications. The filament can be processed on any 3D printer that has a heatable print bed and adjustable temperatures.