A key feature of Lightweight Medical’s new ‘Neo-Capsul’ transport incubator for sick and premature born infants is its enclosed bed, which slides right out to enable fast, easy access. This feature called for a linear transfer device that provided smooth, reliable operation without lubrication. The device also needed to operate under tight spatial constraints and meet a variety of infection protocols.
Transport incubators have changed little since the 1950s. Existing products are typically heavy, difficult to use, and offer little protection to a baby from the noise, vibration and even potential road traffic collisions sometimes experienced during transportation. These issues added to the challenges faced by Lightweight Medical when it set out to re-design the product.
A DryLin W linear guide system from igus seemed to tick all the boxes for this application. It is lubrication-free, and thus hygienic, and the compact nature of the rail design also ensures maximum space within the incubator for the baby. The guide runs on a polymer plain bearing made from iglidur J, which has a low coefficient of friction for all loads when running dry, a low stick-slip tendency and a good wear rate.
DryLin W Stainless is also now available for the food processing and packaging industries and for chemically exposed or underwater applications. The rails are made from V4A high-grade steel (316 Ti), offering outstanding chemical and corrosion resistance and tolerating temperatures up to 250ºC.