Plain Bearings for E-Coating Processes

Save costs and weight: the new iglide® K250 plain bearings, specifically constructed for sheet metals that have to be painted in immersion processes

Due to their shape, the new iglide® K250 clip bearings can be easily clipped into sheet metals without getting lost. Thanks to its temperature resistance, the new material recipe also allows for absolute dimensional stability beyond the e-coating process.

Challenges in real life: from rattling to squeaking seats

We have developed the iglidur K250 clip bearings for this purpose.

A challenge that automotive manufacturers face: cost pressure, mass production and increasing demands regarding quality and feel have to be brought in line. They have to produce elegant surfaces as cost-effectively as possible and realize clear lines and shapes. At the same time, moving parts should work without any sort of rattling (i.e. bearing clearance) and squeaking. In other words: the perfect user experience. This applies not only to vehicles, but also to kitchen devices or furniture.
 
One problem: the manufacturing processes often set additional requirements for the plain bearings. A mixture of bad installation tolerances in stamped sheet metals, high assembly forces as well as hot temperatures and aggressive chemicals during painting in immersion baths will break any metal plain bearing. Either the outer steel base layer rusts or the sensitive PTFE sliding film is damaged. The result: rattling and squeaking.