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Case Study: Linear Bearings for Robotics

Case Study: Linear Bearings for Robotics in Automotive Automation

Maintenance-free Bearings in Robotics for the Automotive Industry

Linear Guides for Robotics using Plain Bearings

A manufacturer of robotics for a major automaker needed a sliding, maintenance-free linear guide for robotics capable of supporting reliable robot arm motion in harsh foundry conditions. Heat, metal dust, and airborne particulates were common and disruptive to the robotic end effectors and overall robotic automation systems on the production line. Multiple factors can affect the linear ball bearing systems that were previously in place, including corrosion of the shaft, seizing of the ball bearing track or ball-bearing spalling, and the challenges of operating in a heavily contaminated environment. Not only was a more reliable linear bearing needed to withstand these harsh conditions and maintain smooth robot arm linear motion, but weight reduction in the slide design was also a critical consideration.

Components:

Plain Linear Bearings: FL16, FL24, FL32, Pillow Blocks

Retrofit or OEM:

OEM

Industries:

Automotive

Problem:

A robotics manufacturer for a major automaker needed linear bearings and linear guides for robotics capable of supporting reliable robot arm motion while withstanding tough foundry conditions and reducing the weight of the slide system

Solution:

Simplicity self-lubricating, maintenance-free plain linear bearings and pillow blocks reduced overall weight and outperformed the linear ball bearing competitors under harsh conditions.

The PBC Linear maintenance-free bearing solution

Simplicity® self-lubricating plain linear 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 from 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 in 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 with success.

 

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Source: PBC Linear - “Case Study: Linear Bearings for Robotics”
https://pbclinear.com/blogs/application-stories/automation-in-the-auto-industry
Last updated: March 2026