Automatic disinfectant machine

• What was needed: An automatic cleaning machine that disinfects reusable cups within a few seconds with 140°C hot steam
• Requirements: 100% lubrication-free and maintenance-free, use in small installation spaces, robust, reliable, low-friction and quiet dry operation, wear-resistant
• Products used: drylin SLW-1040 with integrated dryspin high helix lead screw, drylin guide rail and matching DC motor, iglidur plain bearings
• Success for the customer: The vending machine is located directly next to the coffee machine in break rooms. To make the machine compact, the designers had to miniaturise all components, including the linear guides and bearings for the cleaning dome, which lowers over the cup before cleaning. The components had to be robust, reliable, low-maintenance and grease-free. Linear guides and polymer plain bearings from igus are therefore used. They allow for low-friction dry operation without external lubricants, are wear-resistant and quiet in operation. Thus, they are ideal for the disinfection machine.

It's a common problem in offices: dirty coffee cups piling up in the sink. But staff don't like washing dishes and instead use disposable cups. The damage to the environment is great. In France, about five billion disposable cups are still used every year.

The up-and-down movement is the best way to open and close the cleaning dome. Usage is central to the overall user experience. A non-contact solution with optimal linear guidance was needed. The automatic side allows hygienic non-contact opening to meet high hygiene requirements and reduce user interaction. Alternative plain bearings and guide rails were out of the question because of their limited service life and very complicated maintenance.

The user places the cup in the machine, and the dome automatically lowers and completely encloses it. The steam then disinfects the cup, and a stream of air dries it. Once this step is complete, the cleaning dome rises again, and the user can pick up his cup. The device is quick and easy to use. The machine itself is compact and elegant. It can be set up in company recreational areas. All technological machine components had to be miniaturised so that the whole system could be integrated into a 50cm x 50cm x 20cm machine.

The drylin SLW guide solved the problem of raising and lowering our cleaning dome. The plain bearings ensure smooth cup rotation. The bearings had to meet the requirements for robustness, reliability and minimal maintenance. Grease-free was also a requirement that was set and fulfilled.