From packaging machine to assembly line to operating table: slewing ring bearings are used in a large number of rotary movements around a fixed axis. However, for many bearing points with low loads, such as those found in furniture construction or display technology, the bearings are often oversized and too expensive. Therefore, such applications often contain metal ball bearings. The problem is that the rolling bearings often take up a great deal of space and require assembly work because they often need fitting. They are also maintenance-intensive as they require continuous lubrication to function. "To eliminate these disadvantages, we decided to add a ready-to-install, low-cost variant to our slewing ring bearing portfolio," says Marc Trenkler, iglidur PRT Product Manager at igus. "So far, there have been hardly any ready-to-install, relatively inexpensive slewing ring bearings on the market," says Trenkler.

The new low-cost slewing ring bearing design follows minimalist principles. "Our goal was to produce a light, compact, ready-to-install bearing with as few components as possible," says Trenkler. The PRT-05-15-PC consists of just an inner ring and an outer ring, which slide over each other without balls. It is manufactured in a cost-effective injection-moulding process entirely from lightweight high-performance plastic - without an ounce of metal. It has a diameter of 100 millimetres, is only ten millimetres high and weighs 72 grammes. The reduced complexity makes the new low-cost slewing ring bearing not only compact and lightweight, but also quick to assemble. "Our employees only have to put the inner and outer ring together with a clip bearing. This allows us to offer the bearing to our customers at low cost," says Trenkler.

The PRT-05-15-PC not only reduces costs, but also protects the environment. The new low-cost slewing ring bearing has a 97 per cent content of regranulated iglidur M260 and iglidur P4 high-performance plastics. These are materials, such as production sprue, that have already been processed. Valuable plastics are thus saved from incineration and transferred to a sustainable circular economy. The plastic also has microscopic integrated solid lubricants that are released during operation and allow low-friction dry operation without lubricating grease for an additional environmentally friendly effect, which is a great advantage. Every year, millions of tons of lubricants pollute the environment. Finally, the new PRT is durable, especially outdoors. The polymer bearings do not corrode and are resistant to contamination from grease and dirt. This means that they don't have to be replaced as often. "The iglidur PRT-05-15-PC thus contributes to the EU sustainability strategy," says Trenkler. That strategy is aimed at making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 while boosting economic growth.