Robust even in the face of wind and waves: durable high-performance polymers prove themselves in yachts

Whether for plain bearings, linear or drive technology: shipbuilders worldwide rely on seawater-resistant plastic components from igus

Summertime is vacation time. People lying on the beach often look out over the sea, which is full of boats and yachts. To ensure that they remain corrosion-free and require as little maintenance as possible, parts are needed that can withstand harsh weather conditions. Parts such as plain bearings, linear and drive technology from the plastics specialist igus have been proving themselves for years in the harsh conditions of sea air and salt water.

Slide bearings made of high-quality plastic can be found in the mechanisms of doors, chairs on skids, tables and beds, among other things. The small parts are anything but trivial. They help shipbuilders solve multiple problems at once. One example: hinges of a door leading to the ship's deck. Classic metal bearings quickly reach their limit here. First, they tend to corrode when in contact with sea air and salt water. Second, because of the required grease, they quickly become dirt magnets. Over time, a mixture of oil and dirt forms, which is not only unsightly but also makes the door run less smoothly. These problems are the reason for more and more shipbuilders around the world to switch to igus plain bearings made of high-quality plastic.

Robust plastic bearings withstand constant wave motion

A small investment with a big effect - that proves Lethe Exterior GmbH from Bremen. The company develops exterior doors for yachts from a length of 70 m. They are quite heavy, because they have to withstand high water pressure in an emergency and be fire-resistant at the same time. The bearings in the door latches are therefore exposed to high loads - in an area of just a few square millimeters. A job for metal, you might think. Lethe, however, chose igus polymer bearings made of iglidur G, which is seawater-resistant, corrosion-free, extremely resilient and offers very good sliding properties. It is also essential that no lubrication is required, and not just because of appearance. Solid lubricants integrated into the material are released during operation, ensuring smooth dry operation - without external lubrication. "Our plastic bearings are therefore not only seawater-resistant and durable, but also maintenance-free. At the same time, they protect the environment because the water and soil are not polluted by grease or oil," explains Lars Butenschön, Head of Business Unit iglidur plain bearings at igus. Another advantage: because the iglidur G plain bearings are part of the standard range, they are also inexpensive and quickly available.

Linear and drive technology from igus also optimizes window openers in yachts

However, parts of the plastic specialist can be found not only in the mechanical operation of chairs, tables and doors, but also in windows of yachts. The Würzburg company Glaskeil, for example, which specializes in ready-made and customized glass products for yacht building, has built an automatic window opener with a linear guide system from igus. The core of the solution: toothed belt shafts of the drylin ZLW series, installed right and left along the longitudinal beams of the window frame. With a clearance of only 31 mm, the timing belt shafts are particularly compact, making them perfect for easy adjustment and positioning in tight spaces. A neoprene toothed belt reinforced with glass fiber runs through the center of the rail and is driven by an E-Series drylin DC motor. The 42 mm flange size of the DC motor also saves space because it does not require a motor flange, coupling or complex external power electronics. In addition, it can withstand a wide temperature range from -10°C to +60°C. Thanks to the lightweight plastic and aluminum design and their low inertia, the ZLW series timing belt shafts are quiet and particularly efficient. At the same time, they are easy to control. All that is needed is a simple stepper motor output stage that is reliable, cost-effective and easy to operate. That's why Glaskeil uses the dryve D5 motor control system, which enables fast commissioning. Linear and drive technology and plain bearings from igus provide users with a durable solution that can withstand aggressive salt water and significant temperature fluctuations.