With a new locking mechanism, igus has expanded the functionality of its lubrication-and maintenance-free PRT-04 series slewing ring bearings for tight installation spaces. This saves time during adjustment in applications such as assembly tables and control panels.
Assembly workers often work with rotating assembly tables. Once a component has been fitted, they turn the table to carry out the next work step without changing their own position. The aim is to find the optimum setting for each rotation. This adjustment quickly adds up to several hours a month. Especially at the end of a shift when concentration is waning, there is a risk of turning the table too far and skipping a work step. This leads to expensive rework.
“To solve these problems, we have launched a new locking function for our PRT-04 series slewing ring bearings,” said Stefan Loockmann-Rittich, head of the iglidur bearings business unit at igus. “This is a relatively simple mechanical device but it very effective.”
Never forget a work step again
The locking function for the PRT-04 slewing ring bearing is easy to operate: Before it is turned, the spring bolt is pulled by hand. At the next latching point (every 90° as standard), the pin snaps back into place after rotation and holds the bearing securely in position. The user no longer wastes time with further adjustments. The locking points can also be individually determined. For example, specialists can rotate the table 20° to screw a glow plug into an engine and then another 70° to insert the dipstick. The locking mechanism makes it impossible to forget a step.
The PRT-04 with locking function is part of a comprehensive modular system specifically designed for compact installation spaces and loads of up to 48,000N. The customer can therefore configure his individual iglidur PRT slewing ring bearing in a total of eight sizes from 20-300mm.
In addition to accessories such as drive pins, variable mounting plates and clamping levers, igus offers three outer drive rings and one inner drive ring for very limited installation spaces. The slewing ring bearings are driven with drive belts or gears that igus produces by injection moulding from highly wear-resistant tribopolymers. As with all of its slewing ring bearings, igus uses sliding elements with radial and axial effect between the bearing’s inner and outer rings.
The lubrication-free slides made of iglidur J high-performance polymer ensure that friction and wear are minimised not just when the ready-to-install system is used in assembly tables, but also in control panels as well as stage and lighting technology.
