Lots of power for little space: the new igus sprocket bearing is particularly compact

The high-quality product series is further expanded - with the lubricant-free iglidur PRT-04 micro sprocket bearing for the smallest installation spaces

The demands on machine components are becoming increasingly stringent: installing drives and allowing movement in even the smallest installation spaces is a challenge facing companies in many areas. Now igus has refined its PRT-04 series of sprocket bearings to meet exactly these applications - with an extremely compact sprocket bearing for even more space savings.

Save installation space and weight without sacrificing performance reliability - while completely eliminating lubrication. That's what the igus PRT-04 micro is capable of. igus thus adds a particularly small and also robust sprocket bearing to its product range. The PRT-04 micro has an outer diameter of 60 mm, the smallest installation size among igus PRT sprocket bearings. It consists of three aluminum rings and a newly developed sliding element made of the proven iglidur J high-performance plastic, which works particularly well on aluminum and ensures good wear coefficients and long life. It also has low moisture absorption and good chemical resistance. Depending on individual customer requirements, other materials can also be used. Like all bearings from igus, the PRT-04 micro 100% is lubricant-free and thus insensitive to dirt, dust and moisture.

A lightweight for moving applications

"Aluminum with plastic offers two decisive design advantages: it is light yet stable. Thus, despite its small size, the PRT-04 micro can compete with similar products on the market and take on high loads (up to 3,500 N) in the axial direction, even though it is much more compact," says Fabian Wieking, Product Manager for PRT sprocket bearings at igus. This allows for smooth turning and slewing movements in even smaller installation spaces, giving rise to a number of possible applications. The low weight is also highly relevant in all industries. Possible applications include small, movable lighting installations - so-called moving head applications - or folding tables in trains and airplanes, as well as automotive applications. Low weight here also pays off in terms of fuel consumption. Less weight means less consumption - and thus another way to achieve the goal of greater sustainability. Eliminating lubricants also adds value: after all, maintaining equipment costs time and money. The solid lubricants in the iglidur material not only allow the gear bearing to operate without greases and oils, they also eliminate the need for maintenance - all while making the gear bearing extremely durable. Another advantage is that the PRT-04 micro is a ready-to-use component that can be integrated directly into an application. This eliminates design costs and do-it-yourself bearing points.

Ready to install or individually configurable: best advice from PRT experts

Since 2019, igus has been offering users the PRT-04 rack and pinion bearing series, a comprehensive and constantly growing modular system specifically designed for movements in tight spaces. It consists of several combinable variants. The PRT expert helps in selecting the right bearing: by entering only a few parameters regarding installation space, load, speed and environment, the configurator can find the right sprocket bearing for the customer's individual application and calculate the expected life in the same step. The service life is thoroughly checked in igus' own 3800 m² testing laboratory. The data collected there are integrated into the PRT configurator, enabling reliable judgments about the service life of the sprocket bearings.