Machine elements in the food industry must meet media resistance, freedom from lubricants and corrosion. In order to be able to quickly identify fractions in the event of damage to a system, Igus has now developed two new optically and magnetically detectable materials for its plain and spherical bearings with "Iglidur FC180" and "Igumid FC". The materials are FDA and EU10 / 2011 compliant.
The tribologically optimized plain bearing material Iglidur FC 180 (Food Contact) can be optically detected by metal detectors thanks to its blue color and the addition of appropriate food-compliant additives. In this way, in the event of damage to the system, fractions can be quickly identified and removed. This ensures the purity of the product and prevents costly product recalls. The low moisture absorption and freedom from lubricants of the Iglidur FC 180 also speak for its suitability in food technology as well as the beverage and packaging industry.
Roller chain for the high demands of food technology
With the housing material Igumid FC in combination with Iglidur FC180 as the spherical cap material, there are now, for the first time, self-adjusting “Igubal” bearings that are approved for direct food contact. The very good detectability of the materials was also confirmed by Sesotec GmbH, a specialist in foreign body detection and manufacturer of metal detectors for the food industry. Even the smallest fragments of 0,0139 g (Iglidur FC180) or 0,0157 g (Igumid FC) could still be identified when passing the metal detector "Intuity" on a conveyor belt (right picture).
The vibration-damping bearings are corrosion and media-resistant due to their polymer base, allowing them to withstand even when cleaning with water and many cleaning media.