Clearance-free multi-link hinges with self-calibrating iglide plain bearings for automotive applications
By Mark McGwin
igus develops the new, highly wear-resistant iglide F300 material for e-coated assemblies
26 January 2023 – igus®, the leading global manufacturer of engineered components to increase the service life of customers’ machines, announced the development of iglide® F300 – a highly wear-resistant material, especially for components in automobiles that should be clearance-free and silent moving.
Producing clearance-free multi-link hinges cost-effectively for spoiler kinematics and soft-top and hinge systems is challenging. Often only roughly punched holes with a limited number of fine cuts in the guides and sheet metals, combined with cold extrusion rivets, require costly bearing recalibration.
With its plain bearings made of tribologically optimized plastics, such as the new electrically conductive iglide F300 material, igus offers a technically better solution that costs less. In the e-coating process, the bearing recalibrates itself and also prevents corrosion.
Manufacturing low-clearance multi-link hinges is challenging as the holes in the guides and sheet metals are only roughly punched, with a limited amount of fine cuts. In addition, there are rivets and plain bearings, which also have to operate without clearance throughout the entire system to avoid noise and rattling. Traditionally, manufacturers have used metallic rolled PTFE bearings. However, metallic bearings must be recalibrated. This is where igus plastic plain bearings made of the new iglide F300 material come into play.
“The disadvantage of plastic plain bearings – that they become soft at high temperatures – is an advantage here,” explains Markus Feth, Head of Automotive at igus.
Self-calibration due to high temperatures
The bushing made of the iglide F300 material is mounted with pretension in the bearing point. It undergoes cathodic dip painting, a process for even surface coating. For this, igus has developed the new iglide F300 material to be electrically conductive so that it doesn’t insulate the individual parts of the hinge from one another.
The conductivity is designed to be sufficient for a good coating result. However, the igus bearings are more insulating than metal plain bearings, so there is no significant corrosion in the usual OEM salt spray and climate change tests. This is especially important for aerodynamic components, such as spoiler kinematics and adjustable diffusers.
The material is also highly wear-resistant and withstands the special thermal requirements of the subsequent burning process. The bearing recalibrates at 180 to 220 degrees Celsius during the drying process. Despite roughly punched holes and cold-bolt extrusion, the customer thus receives a low-clearance bearing that operates smoothly, silently, and free of noise, without BSR buzz squeak or rattle.
Find out more about the new iglide F300 plain bearing here.
