Shipbuilders worldwide rely on a variety of water-resistant polymer components from igus®

Summertime brings the promise of sun, sea and relaxation. As you lie on the beach, overlooking a sea lined with boats and yachts, it’s likely that igus® is at work in each one. A lot of work goes in to ensuring that these vessels remain corrosion-free and require as little maintenance as possible. The yachting industry is worth billions so it is vital that components can withstand all weather conditions.

igus plain bearings can be found in all manner of places from the mechanics of doors and sliding seats, to tables and beds and they play a crucial role in helping shipbuilders solve several problems at once. For example, door hinges are exposed on the deck, but classic metal bearings quickly reach their limits here. In time, they corrode in contact with sea air and salt water and quickly accumulate dirt because of the grease required to lubricate them. An oil-dirt mixture is then created that is not only unsightly, but also wears away at the mechanism. As a result, more and more shipbuilders around the world are switching to igus plain bearings made of high-performance plastic which never require lubrication and are also corrosion-free.

Customer success story

Lethe Exterior manufacture external doors for large yachts. Designed to withstand high water pressure in an emergency and be fire-resistant at the same time, it comes as no surprise that these doors are quite heavy. The bearings in the door bolts are subsequently subjected to high loads over an area of only a few square millimetres. While some may argue this to be a job best suited for metal, Lethe Exterior opted for polymer bearings from igus®, made of the iglidur G material. This is water-resistant, corrosion and lubrication-free, and offers very good sliding properties.

Providing self-lubricating components is at the heart of what igus have been doing for decades. Solid lubricants integrated into the material are released during operation and ensure smooth dry running, all part of the ongoing efforts from igus to ‘GO ZERO’ when it comes to external lubrication and minimise the impact on the environment. “Our polymer bearings are not only water-resistant and durable, but maintenance-free. They protect the environment, as water and soil are not contaminated by lubricants,” explains Rob Dumayne, drytech Director at igus in Northampton. Additionally, the iglidur G plain bearings are part of the standard range, so they are quickly available and cost-effective.

Linear and drive technology for window regulators on yachts

igus components are not only found in the mechanics of seats, tables and doors, but also in the windows of yachts. For example, the company Glaskeil, which specialises in ready-to-fit and tailor-made glass products for yachts, has built an automatic window regulator using a linear guide system from igus. At the heart of the solution are drylin ZLW linear belt drives, mounted on either side along the longitudinal struts of the window frame. With an installation height of just 31mm, these belt drives are very compact, making them ideal for easy adjustment and positioning tasks in confined spaces.

In the middle of the rail runs a glass fibre reinforced neoprene toothed belt powered by a DC motor. With a flange dimension of 42mm, the DC motor is also space-saving, as it does not require a motor flange, coupling or complex external power electronics. It is also resistant to a wide temperature range between -10°C and +60°C. Due to the lightweight design using plastic and aluminium, and their low mass inertia, the ZLW belt drives are quiet, efficient, and easily controlled. Glaskeil uses the igus dryve D5 motor control system here, which allows quick commissioning. With both the linear and drive technology as well as the plain bearings, customers receive a durable solution that withstands aggressive salt water and the ocean environment.

For more information, please contact:

Taylor Macdonald

Tel: 01604 677240

Email: tmacdonald@igus.net