User reportPackaging of sterile syringe sets: lubrication-free ball bearings in the isolator

• What was needed? xiros deep groove ball bearing made from the material xirodur® C160; igubal ® pillow block bearing
• Requirements: Use under clean room conditions: Lubricant-free, low dust generation, high chemical resistance
• Industry: Cleanroom technology
• Success for the customer: The xiros plastic ball bearings work without lubricants and are therefore maintenance-free. They are also permanently resistant to chemicals.

The Japanese company Airex Co. Ltd. specialises in the design and construction of rain room systems. This also applies to the design of an isolator in which syringe sets are packaged sterilely. The syringe trays are guided through the isolator on an inclinable roller system and can be ejected at the end of the decontamination isolator via a mechanism. Storage locations were sought for both the rollers and the tilting mechanism, which had to fulfil high requirements due to the cleanroom environment. Within the incubator (class A), only bearings that work without lubricants with low dust generation and have high chemical resistance may be used. This is the only way to guarantee a long service life even with regular chemical disinfection and sterilisation. At the same time, the bearings must be able to bear heavy loads without any problems. Together with the up to 80 spray tests, the rack construction can reach a total weight of around 400 kg.

To realise the roller tables in the isolator, Airex decided to use special xiros deep groove ball bearings made of the material xirodur® C160. The advantage of the ball bearings is their lubrication-free running due to the material. This ensures maximum cleanliness in the sterile environment. In addition, xirodur® C160 is resistant to chemicals and can be used at temperatures from 0 °C to +60 °C. As the material also has low media absorption, it is often used in a vacuum in autoclaves, for example. The special bearings are also used in the food industry, electroplating and the semiconductor industry.
In the isolator, the xiros ball bearings are arranged as staggered rollers at regular intervals to allow the syringe sets to glide maintenance-free. For the inclination of the tables with the syringes, shafts were also installed at the right and left ends of the isolator, which are supported at both ends by two igubal ® pillow block bearings. Here too, the material allows permanent use in the cleanroom environment.