Feature

Life’s a beech: Wooden shafts and plastic bearings save CO2 in manufacturing

Machine builders are searching for ways to reduce their carbon content. New materials are coming under greater scrutiny in manufacturing processes, to replace metals and alloys or incumbent, carbon-heavy materials. Wood is a renewable raw material, and several seasoned woods have the physical properties to suit low- to medium-load applications like conveyors, as well as furniture-making and advanced joinery.

04/12/2023 15:13:37

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However, using wood for moving applications that need bearings has some issues. Metal bearings require lubrication that could potentially leak and affect the wooden shafts’ integrity. Plastic bearings need to be affixed to the wooden shafts with enough grip – or co-efficiency of friction – to withstand the forces of the application, and some plastics and woods have inadequate friction coefficients for long-term use.

igus has developed a bearing made from recycled plastic material, which is well suited to wooden shafts, and has extensively tested its performance against metal shafts.

Read the full article in DPA's December issue

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.