Designing motion systems for dusty, wet, or chemically exposed environments requires more than standard industrial design. Contamination directly impacts wear, alignment, lubrication, and long-term reliability, making thoughtful engineering essential to extending system life and reducing maintenance.
A key consideration is how contaminants interact with rolling or sliding surfaces. While tight seals are often used, some applications benefit from open or self-cleaning geometries that allow debris to escape rather than accumulate, helping maintain smooth, consistent motion. Learn more about how these geometries work in practice.
Material selection is equally critical. Stainless steel, engineered coatings, and corrosion-resistant polymers help withstand washdown chemicals, humidity, and temperature extremes. Thermal expansion must also be considered to avoid alignment issues over time. Explore material guidance in our technical resources.
System architecture must support environmental demands. Long travel lengths, multi-axis designs, and continuous operation require careful attention to rigidity, load distribution, and serviceability. While systems may be designed to perform reliably in dirty conditions, engineers should also consider what happens when contamination inevitably occurs. Designing for easy access, replaceable wear components, and straightforward cleaning allows maintenance to be performed quickly and efficiently. The result is low maintenance, yet it doesn't compromise performance.
Early collaboration between engineering, operations, and maintenance teams helps ensure real-world environmental conditions are fully considered, resulting in more robust, dependable systems.
With the right design strategies, motion systems can perform reliably even in the harshest environments. For more engineering insights, visit our resource library or contact our expert Application Engineers at aesupport@bwc.com.