Compact for small installation spaces: igus presents new miniature linear slides

Lubricant-free drylin W series expanded to installation size 06

Laboratory equipment, espresso machines, tiny houses: wherever installation space is scarce and components are difficult to access, designers are looking for space-saving and maintenance-free linear guides for adjustment and positioning tasks. igus is therefore adding new miniature linear guides in installation size 06 to the drylin W series. They are not only compact but also lubricant-free.

The new drylin W series miniature linear guideway consists of a modular system, including ready-to-use systems or individual components. New are the drylin WW-06-20-T415-AL miniature linear slides with a corrosion-free housing made of anodized aluminum. They fit on a double-axis rail, also made of anodized aluminum. "Together, the carriages and rails require an installation height of only 20 millimeters and a width of only 32 millimeters," says Roy Snellens, drylin linear and drive technology product manager at igus. Compared to igus' most compact solution to date, designers thus save 28% in width, 12% in height and 70% in weight. "The linear guide fits into almost any niche - horizontal, vertical or overhead. It is ideal for adjustment mechanisms in the tightest installation space, including pipette systems or furniture for caravans." All parts in installation size 06 are available in silver and in black. "The black look, which is often in demand, does not reflect light and can be unobtrusively integrated into any design."

Also new: a mini linear actuator with electric motor

Another new product is the SLW-06-20 electric linear actuator. It incorporates a wire spindle in the middle of the new drylin W miniature guide WS-06-20. "Again, we managed to save installation space by making design-related adjustments. The system also has an installation height of 20 millimeters and a width of 32 millimeters," said Snellens. "Among other things, the solution is suitable for automatic setting tasks in small installation spaces, such as in medical and laboratory technology or household appliances - e.g., positioning the portafilter in an espresso machine." Such applications also benefit from dryspin wire spindle technology. For example, the tooth flanks of the wire spindle are not angular, but rounded. This reduces the contact area between the spindle nut and the threaded spindle and results in less vibration, which can be noticeable as rattling or squeaking. Thanks to the rounded tooth flanks, the thread runs smoothly and almost silently. The mini linear actuator can be adjusted manually or electrically and is available in silver and black, as is the drylin W miniature guide.

Sliding instead of rolling: thanks to the absence of lubrication, the miniature linear guides operate for years without maintenance

The new miniature linear guide in installation size 06 follows the igus principle of "sliding instead of rolling." The slides glide on the rails via films of high-quality plastic - without lubricating oil or grease. This is due to the microscopic solid lubricants in the plastic that are released over time and allow dry operation with low friction. "In many systems, grease becomes a dirt magnet. This quickly creates a lubricant film that can affect the smooth operation of the linear guide and requires a lot of cleaning," Snellens says. "Moreover, a high level of cleaning is not ideal, especially in applications with small installation space because the components are usually difficult to access," he adds. "Thanks to the absence of lubrication, our miniature linear guides operate for years without maintenance."