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Ball transfer units
Move heavy and sensitive loads easily: whether in conveyor technology, the food and glass industry or even in the sports sector. The transport of sensitive or heavy goods can be achieved with ball transfer units without great effort. Loads with a capacity of up to 1,470N can be carried without any problems, so that even heavy goods can be moved in almost all directions. The conveyor ball inside the housing is mounted with many small balls in order to ensure perfect running values. From pure plastic solutions to ball transfer units with a conveyor ball made of stainless steel: optimise work processes with our lubrication-free and low-maintenance ball transfer units for a wide range of applications.
Would you like more information about the xiros® plastic ball bearing range? Our experts will be happy to get in touch with you.
Ball transfer unit options
How are the ball transfer units constructed?
xiros® ball transfer units have a housing made of high-performance plastics with an embedded ball socket. This pan serves as a running surface for the support balls. If the load ball rotates, the support balls roll on the ball socket. Depending on the application, various materials are available for the running ball and the support balls. The situation is completely different with the sliding ball transfer unit. The support balls previously used in our ball transfer units are replaced by a sliding insert made of the in-house iglidur® J3B. The stainless steel load ball therefore no longer runs on the support balls as in previous versions, but on the particularly wear-resistant sliding insert.
Ball transfer units are important components in conveyor technology that enable the flexible and low-friction movement of goods on conveyor systems. They consist of a running ball embedded in a housing with additional balls and allow movement in all directions. Thanks to their design, they can be used in various industrial applications, for example in logistics, mechanical engineering and production automation. Ball transfer units of this type help make transport processes faster and more cost-efficient. They are available in various sizes and materials to meet different requirements and bear a variety of loads. Loads of up to 1,470N can be picked up without any problems, meaning that even heavy goods can be moved effortlessly.
Advantages and disadvantages of ball transfer units
The advantages are manifold. They are low-maintenance, durable and can be used in various environments. They play a major role in automation technology as they help improve production processes by optimising the material flow.
What are the advantages of ball transfer units from igus?
Compared to metallic solutions with steel housings or aluminium types with steel balls, our igus solutions have the following advantages:
✔️ 100% lubrication-free
✔️ Low-maintenance
✔️ Corrosion-free
✔️ Can be used in any installation position, e.g. horizontally, vertically or overhead
✔️ Made from our in-house material xirodur, which is particularly abrasion-resistant, durable and even electrically insulating upon request thanks to its technical specifications**.**
Application areas of ball transfer units
They are used in a wide range of industries and make it easier to move loads on flat surfaces. In the manufacturing industry, they are often used to transport heavy workpieces on assembly tables or in conveyor systems. They are also indispensable in the logistics sector as they simplify the transfer of goods to storage and sorting areas. Another area of application is mechanical engineering, where the ball transfer units are integrated into machine tables or packaging machines. They are also used not only in industry, but also in public facilities such as airports or shopping centres to make luggage or shopping carts easier to manoeuvre.
Frequently asked questions:
What exactly are ball transfer units?
Ball transfer units are components that enable the smooth movement of transported goods in various industrial environments in material handling. Transporting heavy loads from A to B: ball transfer units make it possible to transport food, airport goods or glass. Ball transfer units in conveyor tables make it easy to roll sensitive goods in various directions.
What materials are used for ball transfer units?
Depending on the application, they are made from different materials such as steel, stainless steel or plastic. At igus, we rely on tribologically optimised high-performance plastics.
Where are ball transfer units used?
Ball transfer units are used in a wide range of industries. In manufacturing, for example, they are used in conveyor systems, assembly lines and automated storage systems. Ball transfer units are also used in mechanical engineering to improve the manoeuvrability of machines and equipment. They are furthermore found in the furniture industry to make it easier to move heavy cabinets, tables and other pieces of furniture.
Why should you opt for ball transfer units with a housing and not simply with a threaded pin?
The housing protects the running ball and the balls inside the housing from dirt and dust, significantly extending the service life.