Posted to News on 13th Dec 2023, 16:30
Easy to clean, hygienic design linear guide
igus has developed its first linear guide system that is based on EHEDG hygienic design guidelines. Using FDA-compliant materials such as the high-performance polymer iglidur A160 and a high-alloy stainless steel, and carriage design with a washable interior, means the design adheres to hygienic standards.
(See igus at FoodManufacturing.Live, 1 May 2024, on stand 62)
Food processing machinery requires daily cleaning with chemicals. Even the smallest blind spot can collect moisture and can lead to contamination in the machine. More and more machine builders are therefore designing parts with a more hygienic design.
Special rules for hygiene in machines apply in the food industry. It is important to ensure that contamination on products is eliminated. Therefore, machine builders and plant operators ensure they design and use parts with the best materials for the components. Best case, these comply with FDA and EU regulations.
More and more customers want an optimised design based on hygienic design principles, looking for parts with an open design that can withstand regular cleaning processes with chemicals, steam and high pressure water, says Rob Dumayne, drytech director at igus UK.
The main challenge in the development of the new linear guide was how to construct a trap-free design. The focus was on designing a self-draining carriage and rail that would allow liquids to drain freely without trapping water.
This is a brand-new innovation for the linear technology market, says Dumayne. So far, most hygienic design solutions have been based on a completely enclosed unit a design that is sub-optimal for cleaning. The new self-draining carriage is made entirely of the high-performance polymer iglidur A160, one of the FDA- and EU10/2011-compliant igus materials.
The lubrication-free solution has already proved itself as a plain bearing material in numerous applications in the food industry. Hygienic lead screws and large grooves are also used to prevent water from accumulating and bevelled edges allow cleaning solutions to run off easily. The bottom seal protects the space under the rail from dirt accumulation, ensuring that no particles of food can be caught. The shafts are also sealed to prevent any gaps from collecting debris. A corrosion-free 316 stainless steel is used for the linear rail to avoid microscopic surface structures developing, preventing dirt from adhering.
