Spray chamber: ten years in operation

• What was needed: drylin T linear guides
• Requirements: the plants are placed in the test chamber and sprayed with the liquid to be tested. For the results to be meaningful, the spraying must be absolutely even. The linear guide must also be resistant to moisture and chemicals.
• Industries: agriculture, research
• Success for the customer: The drylin linear guide system ensures lubrication-free and precise movement of the machine and is also resistant to moisture and chemicals in the chamber. Several such spray chambers have now been built, the first of which has been in operation for over ten years without any problems.

This spray chamber is used for very precise spraying of test objects (e.g. pots with plants, plucked leaves, samples of different types) with pesticides and fertilisers. It is used in research institutes and universities to test the efficacy of phytopharmaceuticals. To create conditions that are as realistic as possible, sprayers are used that are similar to conventional agricultural field sprayers. The selection of the right type and dimensions of a sprayer, constant monitoring of the operating pressure of the sprayed liquid and smooth adjustment of the speed of movement allow the user to perform the operation repeatedly under controlled temperature and humidity conditions - as closely as possible to real field conditions.

The problem was solved by using drylin T linear plain bearings made from high-performance polymers. The rail with carriage on which the mini sprayer is installed allows for higher acceleration rates over a very short distance. The plain bearing ensures smooth and repeated operation. The plastic materials of the plain bearings (both for the carriage and for the rail) do not show any negative reactions to the sprayed liquid, which contains various pesticides and fertilisers. Sometimes tests are carried out with chemicals containing unknown chemical components, which are tested in preliminary stages. Normal cleaning procedures of the rail ensured fault-free operation of the device. Several such spray chambers have now been built, the first of which has been in operation for over ten years without any problems.