Lubrication-free linear guides in CNC machine for milling styrofoam

Mat in Mat is a Spanish company that specialises in technological solutions for milling, machining, digital modelling, digital scanning and 3D printing of large-format sculptures.
Various materials can be used for the realisation of such figures; in the case of this CNC machine, mainly polystyrene is milled. However, the special material also posed a particular challenge. When polystyrene is milled, a large number of small particles are produced which, due to their electrostatic charge, adhere to all surfaces and gaps in the machine (even a vacuum system can only minimise the problem, but not completely eliminate it). As conventional linear guides and bearings clog up over time and cause high maintenance costs, a suitable solution was sought.

Today, the manufacturer relies on a drylin® -W linear guide system from igus® on all three axes, which means that maintenance work is now a thing of the past. Unlike many other linear guides or ball bearings, the linear guides are completely lubrication-free and self-cleaning so that the polystyrene particles cannot mix with a lubricant and thus restrict functionality. The machine manufacturer also benefits from the new solution in terms of performance. With the new linear guide, the milling machine achieves speeds of up to 50,000 mm/min thanks to the excellent sliding properties on the X and Y axes. This also significantly reduces the milling time.