Intelligent sliding bearing ring for predictive maintenance

Details: Released: 22.09.2017; Last updated: 02.07.2023; Hits: 5102

The lubrication and maintenance-free polymer rotary table bearings (PRT) from Igus are preferably used in systems in which great robustness and resilience are required. The plastics specialist has developed the intelligent "Isense PRT" so that the bearing does not fail and the system does not come to an unplanned standstill. This uses a sensor to measure the abrasion of the bearing and indicates a necessary replacement in good time.

In control panels, welding systems, indexing tables or even in chain saws: there are slewing rings with plain bearings that demand high reliability - often paired with high cycle rates and loads. The "Iglidur" polymer rotary table bearings (PRT) have radial and axial sliding elements between the inner and outer rings of the bearing made of aluminum or stainless steel.

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The maintenance-free sliding elements made of the high-performance plastic Iglidur J ensure that friction and wear are minimized without the use of lubrication. In the Isense PRT.W intelligent rotary table bearing, a wear sensor installed in a milled recess under the sliding elements measures the axial lowering of the PRT head ring resulting from the abrasion of the plastic sliding elements and forwards the information to the "Icom" communication module.

In comparison with a previously application-related wear rate, the required replacement can then be displayed in good time via the module. The communication module receives the data from the sensor and sends the information to the desired end devices of the user via WLAN. A timely replacement without unplanned machine downtime is guaranteed and contributes to increased safety in production.

Rotary table systems for precise workpiece positioning

Under the product family name "Isense", the Motion Plastics specialist has developed various sensors and monitoring modules in recent years that make plastic solutions intelligent and make production processes simpler and safer. In addition to the Isense PRT.W, there are also measuring systems for the "Drylin" linear guides, energy chains and cables.