drylin W - hygienic design

Clean, safe and without lubrication: igus presents the linear guide in hygienic design

Cleaning with chemicals is daily business for machines in the food processing industry. Even the smallest blind spot can collect moisture and lead to contamination in the machine. igus has developed the first linear guide system based on Hygienic Design guidelines.

More and more customers want an optimised design based on hygienic design principles. They want components to have an open design that can withstand regular cleaning processes with chemicals, steam and high-pressure water. Companies now demand lubricant-free components that can be cleaned quickly to reduce downtimes. Therefore, igus has now developed a drylin W linear guide according to hygienic design guidelines.

The focus was on designing a self-draining carriage and rail that allowed liquids to drain freely without collecting water. Until now, most hygienic design solutions were based on a fully enclosed unit. This new self-draining carriage consists entirely of FDA- and EU10/2011-compliant polymer iglidur A160. Hygienic screws and large grooves are also used to prevent water from accumulating and beveled edges ensure that cleaning agents drain easily, and the bottom seal protects the space under the rail from dirt accumulation. The axles are also sealed to prevent gaps in which dirt can accumulate. A corrosion-free, high-alloy 316 stainless steel is used as the linear rail.