Now it clicked

Compact, lightweight and low-maintenance: New drylin W linear guide with detent for precise adjustments - even in small installation spaces

Whether moving to fixed positions with a sensor, positioning a headrest at the desired height, or ergonomically adjusting a screen until it clicks: For simple positioning tasks, for example in the interior, Igus has launched the new linear guide with PTFE-free drylin WWP detent slide. The solution is intuitive to use, compact, durable and, thanks to the material combination of lubrication-free high-performance plastics and aluminum, particularly light, hygienic and low-maintenance.

People like comfort and appreciate the possibility of customization. And so it is not surprising that with technical progress, more and more objects are being found that can be individually positioned for comfortable and ergonomic use - from sofas with leg rests to monitors in vehicle cabins to headrests and armrests in airplanes or trains. Adjustment is particularly pleasant when as few manual movements as possible are required. "Many manufacturers want linear guides that are as minimalist as possible with a locking function that do not require levers or other complex mechanical and electrical components," says Michael Hornung, Product Manager for drylin linear and drive technology at Igus. "We have therefore developed the new drylin WWP linear guide with locking, which enables uncomplicated and cost-effective positioning."

Precise, flexible and stable adjustments

The linear guide consists of two components: a linear carriage made of high-performance plastic that can be connected to the object to be moved, and a linear rail made of aluminum on which the movement takes place - for example the adjustment of a sofa headrest. The special feature: small polymer rings a few millimeters high are mounted on the rail at regular intervals. On the underside of the carriage there is a steel ball that sits on a spring with selectable preload.

As soon as a specified position is reached during adjustment, the ball locks into place with an audible click and the object remains stable in position. The maximum static load capacity is 100 N vertically to the guide and 50 N horizontally to the guide. To release the carriage, the user only needs to apply enough force to push the ball out of the recess. The system then moves freely again until the ball locks into the next position. Michael Hornung: "The system is intuitive to use and, thanks to the absence of complex mechanical components, is durable and fail-safe." This is also confirmed by tests in the in-house 4,000 square meter test laboratory.

65 percent weight saving and dry running without lubrication

Users can flexibly adapt the new linear system to their application. The rails are available in lengths of up to 3,000 mm and can be supplied hard-anodized, silver-anodized or black-anodized. Igus also offers undrilled rail profiles for individual drilling patterns. The polymer carriages are available in two sizes: size 1030 (carriage dimensions: L60xW56xH24mm) and miniature size 0620 (carriage dimensions: L40xW32xH14 mm).

"With these dimensions, the system is more compact and lighter than systems with recirculating balls. The low weight also makes it flexible and portable, making it ideal for interiors where space is often at a premium," says Hornung. "Compared to aluminum miniature slides alone, users save up to 65 percent in weight." In addition, no external lubrication is required. The locking slide is made of a high-performance plastic with integrated solid lubricants that ensure clean, low-maintenance and consistently smooth operation over several years. In addition, the high-performance plastic used is free of around 100 PFAS chemicals that could be subject to future regulations and meets the low-fogging requirements in the automotive sector.