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Automation in the Automotive Industry

Automation in the Automotive Industry

Automation and Robotics for the Automotive Industry Main Image

Robotics manufacturer utilizes bearings from PBC Linear for the auto industry

A manufacturer of robotics for a major auto maker needed a slide system that would tolerate tough foundry conditions. Heat, sand, and dirt were common and disruptive to the robotic end effectors. Multiple factors can affect linear ball bearing systems that were in place, including corrosion of the shaft, seizing of the ball bearing track or ball-bearing spalling, or a general filthy environment. Not only was a better and more reliable linear bearing needed to withstand these tough environmental conditions, but weight reduction in the slide design was also a critical consideration.

Components:

Plain Bearings: FL16, FL24, FL32, Pillow Blocks

Retrofit or OEM:

OEM

Problem:

A manufacturer of robotics for a major auto maker needed a slide system that would tolerate tough foundry conditions while reducing the weight of the slide.

Solution:

Simplicity plain bearings and pillow blocks reduced overall weight and outperformed the linear ball bearing competitors under harsh conditions.

The PBC Linear solution

Simplicity® bearings and pillow blocks were recommended for the new slide design. The lightweight aluminum shell reduced overall weight, and the PBC Linear bearings also outperformed the linear ball bearing competitors. Shock loads and high temperatures were tolerated, and the sand was kept out of the bearing by tough molythane seals. The results were, and continue to be, a smooth, quiet operation. Backed by the patented FrelonGold® liner form PBC Linear, the Simplicity bearing is designed to last in the worst possible environments with minimal lubrication and maintenance.

Results and application details

Customer is pleased with the performance and weight reduction gained by using Simplicity bearings. Shock loading, temperature extremes and tremendous contamination do not prevent Simplicity from providing long trouble-free bearing life. This is a great improvement over the ball bearings that were the cause of unplanned downtime and dramatically increased production costs.

Simplicity bearing liners can handle loads up to 20x that of the competing linear ball bearing systems while increasing speed capabilities by 50%. Their corrosion resistance can handle temperatures ranging from -400° F to +400° F, and are virtually impervious to shock vibration. With no moving parts to stall, Simplicity bearings will NOT catastrophically fail!

Simplicity technology is a perfect fit into the automotive industry. Testing, product feeding conveyors, assembly lines, wash down machines, painting lines, welding applications and die storage are all examples of specific applications where Simplicity technology has been installed and then succeeded in provided reliable linear motion.

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