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Carbon fibre linear guides are up to 60% lighter
The German plastics engineering specialist igus has developed a linear guide system that is made entirely of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), making it up to 60% lighter than traditional steel rail systems, and 40% lighter than aluminium rail. As well as saving weight, the drylin W guides are said to be stiffer than metallic guides, and to be non-magnetic. They need no lubrication, and are therefore maintenance-free.
“The one-piece carriage, combined with iglidur L250 tribo-optimised plastic, running on carbon fibre rails, creates what may be the lightest linear system in the world,” says Rob Dumayne, a director of igus in the UK.
The guide system, available for travel lengths of up to 2 metres, is aimed at aerospace and motorsport applications, where light weight is vital, or at applications where high dynamic movements are important, such as in robots.
The rail is available in a completely metal-free, belt-drive version, with plastics pulleys and ball bearings, making it suitable for use in X-ray equipment.
