Reduced wear for packaging machines

Packaging and processing machines have very specific requirements in order to operate smoothly and efficiently. The machines used by Doel Engineering were no different. The demand efficiency, continuous operation and hygienic components. When they approached us with friction and wear issues on their mitre bars we were only too happy to take some of the bars away and get them coated for a trial.

On this page, you can see the challenges that Doel Engineering were experiencing and how powder coating was the solution.

Requirement, challenge and solution

Requirement

Doel Engineering is a manufacturer of packaging and processing machines and they wanted to reduce the friction in their packaging transportation. They needed the components to have high hygiene standards, high rigidity and a low coefficient of friction.

Problem

The packaging machine takes bubble wrap and/or so-called pads for plastic trays from a roll, stretches and cuts them to size and then places them in trays. Doel Engineering had originally used hollow rolls for this process, but could not achieve sufficient tension in the material to achieve an accurate and fast cut, which meant that throughput times were too long. In addition, the inertia of the rollers meant that they continued to rotate after being switched off, which inevitably led to waiting times before the next cycle could begin. This in turn impaired productivity. The previous rolls made of uncoated metallic material harboured the potential risk of contamination of the packaging materials, despite regular cleaning of the machine.

Solution

igus® analysed the process together with production manager Adam Deighton and recommended replacing the rollers with solid metal rods coated with iglidur® IC-05, an FDA-approved tribologically optimised polymer in powder form. The coated rods offered several advantages. They had a higher rigidity than the rollers previously used, so that the machine produced more power and ran smoother and faster with the new components. The start-up time was almost zero and the start/stop process was immediate, which increased the throughput. Like all iglidur® materials, iglidur® IC-05 coating powders are tribologically optimised and therefore not only protect the shaft from wear, but also guarantee excellent friction and wear values at the same time.

"The results are improved running smoothness at a higher speed and less wear on the shafts and the materials used. The solution therefore involves a quick implementation at a very attractive price and a result that I will also consider in other areas of our plants."

Adam Deighton

Production Manager at Doel Engineering

Application examples of our customers

User-friendly serialisation in very small spaces

WIPOTEC TQS-SP

All-in-one operating concept for fast and easy handling
Throughput of up to 600 pieces per minute possible (standard: 300 pieces per minute)
Space-saving unit for fast integration and operational readiness contributes to cost reduction
Lubrication-free and maintenance-free drylin, iglidur and xiros products successfully in use

Sleevematic TS labelling system

Successful cooperation for more than 25 years
A wide range of igus products are used in the Sleevematic TS. From lubrication-free drylin polymer nuts in the belt station and sleeve brush, and drylin profile guides in the inlet and outlet sensor, up to drylin SLW lead screw lift tables in the preliminary shrinkage process and for height-adjustment of the guide rollers.
Krones AG

Innoket Neo labelling machines

High precision and extremely high speed
In addition to corrosion resistance and hygiene, speed plays an important role for this machine as up to 60,000 bottles are labelled every hour. Lubrication-free drylin W linear guides are used here.
KHS GmbH

Tubular bag packing machines

Easy to install and easy to clean
Hastamat from Germany uses our company's products for its bag forming, filling and sealing machines. Lubrication-free and maintenance-free drylin linear guides defy adverse environmental influences.
Hastamat Verpackungstechnik GmbH

Bag forming, filling and sealing machine from Hastamat

Thermoformer PowerPak

Cost-effective, lubrication-free and requiring little maintenance
Resistance to temperature fluctuations and cleaning agents, as well as hygiene and cost-efficiency are important criteria for the selection of machine components from CFS.B. V. In this packaging machine, FDA-compliant iglidur® A180 bearings and temperature-resistant iglidur® X bearings are used.
CFS B.V.

Nappy production machines

Problem-free movement
In nappy production, machine elements have to function in rough ambient conditions. Lubrication-free linear bearings that are insensitive to dirt have been installed in very different places in the nappy production machines.
ONTEX MAYEN GmbH

Palletiser

Short installation time, long service life
Beyer Maschinenbau GmbH was looking for an energy supply system that provides the stability and durability needed in its beverage machines. Our e-chain E4.1L does more than meet this requirement. Due to its design, it is easy to fill and assemble while being cable-friendly at the same time. It therefore shortens assembly times and ensures long-lasting cables.
Beyer Maschinenbau GmbH

Fully automatic labellers

Today, reliable and efficient machines are required for the labelling of products. What matters is a combination of speed, precision and flexibility. A failure of the labeller? That would be annoying and on top of that very costly. Bluhm Systeme GmbH therefore not only develops fully automated marking systems with labels, inkjet or laser, it also relies on durable and maintenance-free drylin® linear bearing technology.
Bluhm Systeme GmbH