With its new Iglidur A350-PF, Germany based Igus whch has a UK subsidiary in Northampton (www.igus.co.uk), now offers its proven plain bearing material also as FDA and EU-compliant filament for printing temperature-resistant and lubrication-free wear resistant parts. The new tribo-filament fulfils the need of machine builders in the food and packaging industry by giving more design freedom to print functional components in special dimensions and small quantities.

Igus dry-tech director Robert Dumayne said: “Iglidur A350-PF gives machine builders even more design freedom, enabling them to print wear resistant parts quickly. Since machines in the packaging and food industry are becoming more and more individual, solutions for plain bearings and wear resistant components in special shapes and sizes are in high demand.”

The lubrication- and maintenance-free material is specially designed for use in food and packaging technology and has proven itself in countless applications as a plain bearing in standard dimensions as well as semi-finished products directly from stock. The high-performance plastic is particularly appealing with its high long-term temperature resistance of up to 180°C and can be easily cleaned even with chemicals.

Compliant with EU 10/2011 and FDA guidelines, the material is formally approved for contact with foodstuffs. At the same time, it also fulfils the fire protection requirements of the Federal Aviation Authority of the USA (FAA) for aircraft interiors. As it is blue in colour, iglidur A350 is easy to detect and thus increases production safety.

The material's durability is particularly evident in pivoting and rotating applications, and at high and medium loads on stainless steel shafts. The filament is available both for self-printing on a high-temperature 3-D printer and in the 3-D printing service from Igus.