Self-Aligning Bearings from igus® Reduce Costs by 40% & Weight by 80%
Self-lubricating, corrosion-resistant & maintenance-free plastics for industrial equipment
igubal® self-aligning bearings are designed with our highly-engineered composite plastic materials that consist of base polymers for wear resistance, reinforcing fibers for high forces, and solid lubricants for smooth, maintenance-free operation. They are resistant to dirt, dust and corrosion, making them suitable for use in liquids and dirty environments. They can also withstand shock, impact and edge loads.
igubal® self-aligning bearings are also 80% lighter than steel and much quieter than metal bearings. By switching to plastic, you can reduce your overall bearing costs by 40% without sacrificing quality and calculate the expected service life before the bearing installed inside your machine.
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Whether you're interested in end-to-end, fully assembled solutions or looking to build your own customizable project, let us assist you with a solution based on your specific application and requirements. Contact us via the form below or call us at (800) 521-2747 to discuss your project today!
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, our team can review your requirements and drawings to offer custom parts from our various production options. Click here to fill out a form and get in contact with us!
Despite the housing design of the E range being narrower, the ball design in the K range is wider, which enables a larger tilting angle.
The movement of the ball inside the housing is a function of the production method and the materials used. We have a clip-in series with the ball and housing being produced separately and then clipped together. We also have an overmolded series, with the housing being overmolded on the spherical ball. Depending on the application conditions, one may be better suited over the other. Different material comvinations for the ball and housing also affect this.
Yes, igubal® can be used underwater, but some specific products are better sutied for this environment. For example, an E-series rod end with an iglide® J spherical ball would be a better choice than the same rod end with an iglide® L280 spherical ball.
One of the major cost-saving advantages of our product is the maintenance-free aspect and the high wear resistance. Our products are self-lubricating, meaning they do not require constant external lubrication. The high wear resistance of the materials can offer an increased product lifetime, which means they will need to be replaced less often.
Despite the housing being plastic, our products can be used in heavy duty applications. Two common areas of concern are tensile strength and cross-force. The plastic thread could strip if the rod end is overloaded in tensile, our the housing body could crack. Our catalog provides all of the necessary technical details to help ensure the product is a good fit for the application.
There are a few different options for axially securing. Firstly, you could use a circlip, which will require a special groove in the shaft. Additionally, you could use a fixing collar, which clamps to the shaft via a set screw. Lastly, you could add a shoulder to prevent the shaft from slipping out of the bearing.
An oscillating movement is like a swinging action. A tilting movement is a pivot at a specific angle.
igubal® 2.0 metal rod ends are available in zinc die-cast and in stainless steel.
Having metal rod ends allows us to provide maintenance-free solutions that have higher loading capacities. The metal housing provides better resistance to shock loads and tensile loads, while the bearing insert provides high wear resistance and is suitable for outdoor or dirty environments. Best of both worlds!
Yes! Our iguton G housing material, combined with an iglide® T500 spherical ball, offers temperature resistance up to 392°F long-term. We have a select group of products offered in these materials, including rod ends and two- and four-bolt flanges.
Certainly! The igubal® FC product line offers FDA compliance with visually and magnetically detectable material options. Compliant with FDA and EU 10/2011, these products can be used in food contact and packaging applications.