Drive-train shaft size

[Andy Brockway]

The IGUS bearings can stand quite a bit of abuse. We use them in many applications in my facility. The majority are used for linear motion in vertical and horizontal slides.

We use the G300 series with little wear on equipment that runs 24/7. We do not lube them as this picks up particles that then contribute to drag.

We have also experimented with the L1 in a vertical slide mechanism. Currently we have three years with no significant wear.

It is important that the bores for these bearings match the catalog. This provides the proper clearance for the shaft. This one of the reasons we have not installed any in our robots. You cannot produce those tolerances on a drill press : )

Read the recommendations carefully. Our experience concurs that a shaft without a high polish is best. We have shifted from Thomson ground shafting to stainless shafting with standard grind. The bearing has an initial wear that embeds its material into the shaft and that this increases longevity and reduces friction.