Spray chamber: 10 years in operation

Profile

• What was needed: drylin T linear guides
• Requirements: The plants are placed in the test chamber and sprayed with the liquid to be tested. For the results to be meaningful, the spraying must be absolutely uniform. The linear guide must also be resistant to moisture and chemicals.
• Industry: Agriculture, research
• Success for the customer: The drylin linear guidance system ensures lubrication-free and precise system movement and is also resistant to moisture and chemicals in the chamber. Several such spray chambers have now been built, the first of which has been in operation for over 10 years without any problems.

Problem

This spray chamber is used for very precise spraying of test objects (e.g. pots with plants, plucked leaves, samples of different types, etc.) with pesticides and fertilisers. It is used in research institutes and universities to test the efficacy of phytopharmaceuticals. In order to create conditions that are as realistic as possible, sprayers are used that are similar to the agricultural field sprayers generally used. Proper selection of the type and dimensions of a sprayer, constant monitoring of the operating pressure of the sprayed liquid and smooth adjustment of the speed of movement allow the user to perform the operation repeatedly under controlled temperature and humidity conditions, as close as possible to real field conditions.

Solution

The problem was solved by using drylin T linear plain bearings made from high-performance polymers. The rail with carriage on which the mini sprayer is installed enables higher acceleration rates over a very short distance. The plain bearing ensures smooth and repeated operation. The plastic materials of the plain bearings (both for the carriage and for the rail) do not show any negative reactions to the sprayed liquid, which contains various anti-icing agents and fertilisers. Sometimes tests are carried out with chemicals with unknown chemical components, which are tested in preliminary stages. Normal cleaning procedures of the rail ensured fault-free operation of the device. Several such spray chambers have now been built, the first of which has been in operation for over 10 years without any problems.