Pest-control drone

• What was needed: igubal ®-pillow block bearing, energy chain E2 micro, drylin® -linear system
• Requirements: This forward and backward movement of the injection arm had to be precise, simple and as light as possible. The company was also looking for the lightest possible system for the other bearings.
• Industry: Aerospace, aviation industry, drones, agricultural industry
• Success for the customer: The igubal® bearings are maintenance-free, insensitive to dust and dirt and resistant to corrosion. As they are particularly lightweight, they are especially suitable for use in this application. Weight has also been saved on the linear system by integrating it into the structure of the device.

The drone "FitoStinger" can spray a crop protection product in a targeted manner on plants, using as little of it as possible. A movable and extendable arm allows the pesticide to be injected precisely through a needle at the end of the articulated arm. The device housing the pesticide includes a motorisation system, a propellant for the product's crop protection and container tanks, as well as transport tubes, lens cameras, positioning lasers, etc. Different bearing solutions were needed in the guide system of the pesticide transport tubes and in the articulated arm of the device, which face different problems in the application.
One challenge was to fix the injection arm during the tilting, turning or rotating movements so that it could not come into contact with the other components.
The second problem was to equip the device with a linear movement in order to puncture nests. This forward and backward movement had to be precise and as simple as possible. Priority is always given to the weight of the components, as this is a decisive factor when using drones.

By installing five igubal® pillow block bearings in front of the injector motor in combination with a plastic-energy chain E2 micro, the transport tube was guided and secured. It was also fitted with self-aligning supports that allow it to slide easily inwards, resulting in a significant reduction in forces.
The igubal®-bearing are maintenance-free, self-aligning bearing elements made entirely of plastic. The entire igubal® joint system is insensitive to dust and dirt and resistant to corrosion. As they are particularly lightweight, they are especially suitable for use in this application.
The second problem was to equip the device with a linear movement to puncture nests. This forward and backward movement had to be as precise, simple and light as possible. To solve this problem, a drylin®-linear module made of carbon fibre was installed. The lubrication-free linear systems run in dry operation and are therefore maintenance-free and insensitive to external influences. To reduce the weight of the components, the linear module was designed to be part of the structure of the device.