Maintenance-free bearing technology for high loads in the "Boby" logistics robot

Lightweight and resistant plain bearings enable failure-free operation in logistics

The robot "Boby" travels autonomously to a storage location, lifts a shelf with the help of an integrated scissor system and transports it to the picking station. The employee is relieved and the operation is significantly more efficient. iglidur G plain bearings are used for the scissor joints of the lift table to ensure reliable, lubrication-free and maintenance-free operation under high loads.

Scallog robot transports shelves in a logistics warehouse beside a large iglidur plain bearing.

Profile

What was needed: Maintenance-free and cost-effective bearings that work reliably even under high loads of up to 600kg.

Requirements: High load capacity, long service life, low wear and maintenance-free

Industry: Material handling

Success for the customer: The robust iglidur plain bearings for the scissor joints reduce operating costs by dispensing with lubricants and save weight compared to metal bearings.

Products used

iglidur G plain bearing in cylindrical form.

iglidur G plain bearings

Problem

SCALLOG is a French company that
develops automated warehouse solutions. These include the logistics robot "Boby", an Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) that approaches warehouse shelves and automatically brings them to picking stations. The aim is to relieve employees and increase picking efficiency.

The logistics robot is activated by a digital order and travels independently to the relevant storage locations, where it lifts the required shelf using an integrated lifting system. Thanks to its compact design, it can drive under the shelves and transport them to the picking station, orientating itself along a guideline attached to the floor. Once there, it enables the employee to pick the products ergonomically.

During the development of the autonomous logistics robot, SCALLOG was
looking for special plain bearings for the scissor joints of the integrated lift table. These not only had to permanently support the weight of****shelves weighing up to 600kg, but also be low-maintenance, cost-efficient and compact enough to fit into the robot's limited installation space and ensure reliable operation under high load.

Solution

When designing the robot, SCALLOG turned to the igus field service, which recommended iglidur G type plain bearings.
The bearings consist of tribologically optimised high-performance polymers, which operate completely without external lubrication and are therefore maintenance-free. Solid lubricants incorporated into the material ensure low-friction dry operation. This makes them not only perfect for autonomous applications in continuous operation. The bearings are also ideal for high mechanical loads in material handling.

Overall, SCALLOG benefits from the use of iglidur plain bearings, which provide reliable and durable support in the scissor joints and save costs during operation.

To our plain bearing online shop

iglidur robot transports shelving through an automated warehouse.