Packaging machines situated at the very end of a production can play an outsized role in the process determining the speed of delivery of goods to distribution while simultaneously performing the critical task of providing required protection and branding for goods.
Reliability of these types of machines is therefore of the utmost importance and is the reason why the country’s most respected manufacturer of packaging equipment, Gossamer Packaging Machinery, is fine-tuning its equipment with ultra-reliable and lubrication-free polymer bearings wherever they are required.
While Gossamer Packaging Machinery has always been at the pinnacle of innovation in the packaging industry, the drive to constantly improve efficiency and longevity of its machines recently led to the company’s project manager, Heinrich Steyl and draughtsman, Gerbrand van Wyk, to research newer and more effective materials and components for each part of its machines.
According to the two innovators, this led to consultations with polymer manufacturer igus and together with igus bearing specialist, Juan-Eric Davidtz, recently led to the specification of the German polymer manufacturer’s linear bearings being incorporated into the Gossamer’s carton stacking machines. The igus components are specifically used in how the equipment manages the centring, clamping and lifting of heavy cartons.
The primary application for the igus linear bearings at Gossamer is in their full carton stacking machines. These machines are tasked with lifting cartons weighing up to 20 kg at a rate of up to 20 cycles per minute. The linear bearings play a crucial role in the mechanism that centres, clamps and lifts the cartons, enabling them to be stacked securely on top of each other. This design, although new, is based on similar applications where conventional linear bearings were used, highlighting Gossamer’s focus on constant improvement.
Heinrich and Gerbrand played integral roles in the decision to switch to igus components. They cite several reasons for this choice, including cost-effectiveness, ease of maintenance, the promise of spare parts availability and simplified wear-part replacement.
“While the purchase price certainly plays a role in our selection of components, we place a higher priority on reliability and longevity. The igus components are cheaper, but we are more looking forward to the technical benefits that the products will provide to our clients. We expect the new igus components to significantly outperform traditional bearings, especially in terms of maintenance requirements as the polymer linear bearing have a significantly less maintenance-intensive schedule.”
When evaluating the total cost of ownership, Gossamer looks beyond the initial purchase price. They prioritise reliability and longevity, aspects where the igus components excel. Over time the technical benefits of these products will translate into direct cost savings for Gossamer’s clients. “When these technical benefits become obvious over time, the client will directly see cost savings.”
Gossamer’s experience with igus products is not new. The company has previously used iglidur bearings and linear guides, as well as echain cable management systems and chainflex dynamic cables in specialised applications. Their familiarity with igus, combined with the positive results they’ve seen in the past, made the decision to expand the use of igus components an easy one.
“We have known about igus for a long time and have used the products on and off for many years, but only in specialised applications. We look forward to making more extensive use of its products in the future,” the innovators conclude.