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EconoGlide Low Cost Plain Linear Bearings

EconoGlide Low Cost Plain Linear Bearings

EconoGlide Low Cost Plain Linear Bearings
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Injection-Molded Polymer Liner

EconoGlide® from PBC Linear is a low-cost line of plain linear bearings with injection-molded polymer liners, designed to balance reliable performance, durability, and minimal maintenance in cost-sensitive applications. While Simplicity® bearings use premium bonded liners for harsher environments and high-downtime replacement situations, EconoGlide bearings use injection-molded Frelon® IM liners for easily accessible machinery and applications that do not require the same level of heavy-duty contamination resistance.

Designed for light-to-moderate industrial use, EconoGlide provides a quiet, self-lubricating alternative to linear ball bearings in systems where designers want simple installation, reduced upkeep, and long service life without over-engineering the system. Each bearing supports lubrication-free operation and helps maintain smooth motion over the life of the bearing.

Performance Benefits of EconoGlide Self-Lubricating Plain Bearings:

  • Straight groove geometry helps channel dust away from the bearing surface to maintain smooth motion in dusty environments.
  • Grease-filled pores in the Frelon® IM liner provide lifetime lubrication.
  • Wide operating temperature range from -58°F to +194°F (-50°C to +90°C).
  • Vibration damping due to no metal-to-metal contact.
  • Corrosion resistance from anodized aluminum or 316 stainless steel shell options.
  • Support for linear, oscillating, rotary, or combined motion.
  • Smooth, quiet operation and long service life.
  • High accuracy, with critical surfaces ground on precision bearing grinders.
  • No rolling elements, reducing the risk of catastrophic failure or shaft damage.
  • Available in inch and metric sizes, with flanged bearings available in metric sizes.

Self-Lubricating Polymer Liner Technology

At the core of every EconoGlide bearing is a self-lubricating Frelon® IM liner. This engineered polymer contains internal lubricants that are released gradually during operation. At the beginning ofthe bearing’s life, the impregnated lubricant transfers evenly to the shaftsurface creating a thin, lubricating film on the shaft. This allows for reducedfriction across the contact area and minimized wear over extended traveldistances.

This process allows EconoGlide bearings tooperate without external grease or oil in most applications, reducing downtimeand eliminating routine re-lubrication schedules.

Built-In Protection Against Dust and Debris

EconoGlide bearings are designed with straight debris reliefchannels molded into the liner surface. These channels help direct smallparticles away from the primary load zone while the liner itself provides anatural wiping action on the shaft.

This makes EconoGlide well-suited for:

  • Lightly contaminated environments
  • Packaging and conveying systems
  • Equipment exposed to airborne dust or fibers
Linear Shafting

The Importance of Matched Shafting for Self-Lubricating Linear Bearings 

One-Stop-Shopping with Products Shipped Together

PBC Linear shafting is exclusively optimized to match high-performance linear bearing technology providing long life, low maintenance, and reliable linear motion. Advanced process capabilities maintain the ideal surface finish resulting in the longest life and highest performing shaft-to-bearing combination for linear bearings rails.

Don’t be misled–all shafting is not alike! Don’t settle for below average performance. In most applications, smoother does not equal better; in fact, it means decreased performance and shortened life. A shaft surface finish of 8-12 Ra is the optimal smoothness for linear plain bearings and linear ball bearings. Choose between carbon steel, 300 series stainless steel, 400 series stainless steel, and aluminum with hardened surface coating for your ideal linear shafting.

IB (inch) Closed Plain Linear Bearing

econoglide bearing

The red anodized aluminum shell identifies the inch series, which is available in off-the-shelf industry standard sizes from 3/8” to 2” and is interchangeable with linear ball bearings and some bronze bushings. The closed type of linear plain heavy-duty bearing is ideal for handling loads in all directions and offers several mounting options. The Frelon IM insert bearings offer static loads up to 20,198 lb.

Name Nominal ID (in) Nominal OD (in) Shaft Diameter (in) Static Load (lbs) Shop Link
IB06-01 3/8 0.3766–0.3782 3/8 600 Shop Now
IB08-01 1/2 0.5016–0.5032 1/2 1,020 Shop Now
IB10-01 5/8 0.6266–0.6282 5/8 1,950 Shop Now
IB12-01 3/4 0.7516–0.7532 3/4 2,940 Shop Now
IB16-01 1 1.0016–1.0032 1 3,810 Shop Now
IB20-01 1-1/4 1.2520–1.2541 1-1/4 7,050 Shop Now
IB24-01 1-1/2 1.5020–1.5041 1-1/2 10,830 Shop Now
IB32-01 2 2.0024–2.0051 2 14,100 Shop Now

IBM (metric) Closed Plain Linear Bearing

econoglide closed metric bearing

The blue anodized aluminum housing denotes the metric series, available in standard sizes from 10–50 mm and interchangeable with linear ball bearings and select bronze bushings. Closed-type linear plain bearings support loads in all directions and offer flexible mounting options. Linear bearings equipped with a Frelon® IM insert provide static load capacities up to 87,500 N.

Name Nominal ID (mm) Nominal OD (mm) Shaft Diameter (mm) Static Load (lbs) Shop Link
IBM10-01 10 10.030–10.088 10 1,141 Shop Now
IBM12-01 12 12.030–12.088 12 1,511 Shop Now
IBM16-01 16 16.030–16.088 16 2,266 Shop Now
IBM20-01 20 20.030–20.091 20 3,541 Shop Now
IBM25-01 25 25.030–25.091 25 5,705 Shop Now
IBM30-01 30 30.400–31.110 30 8,026 Shop Now
IBM40-01 40 40.400–40.115 40 12,589 Shop Now
IBM50-01 50 50.500–50.130 50 19,669 Shop Now

IBMN (metric) Open Plain Linear Bearing

Econoglide open

Open-type plain linear bearings are designed for use on rail supported shafting for increased system rigidity. The blue anodized aluminum housing denotes the metric series, available in standard sizes from 10–50 mm and interchangeable with linear ball bearings and select bronze bushings. Linear bearings equipped with a Frelon® IM insert provide static load capacities up to 87,500 N.

Name Nominal ID (mm) Nominal OD (mm) Shaft Diameter (mm) Static Load (lbs) Shop Link
IBMN10-01 10 10.030–10.088 10 1,141 Shop Now
IBMN12-01 12 12.030–12.088 12 1,511 Shop Now
IBMN16-01 16 16.030–16.088 16 2,266 Shop Now
IBMN20-01 20 20.030–20.091 20 3,541 Shop Now
IBMN25-01 25 25.030–25.091 25 5,705 Shop Now
IBMN30-01 30 30.400–31.110 30 8,026 Shop Now
IBMN40-01 40 40.400–40.115 40 12,589 Shop Now
IBMN50-01 50 50.500–50.130 50 19,669 Shop Now

EconoGlide Flanged Linear Bearings

flanged econoglide bearings

EconoGlide Flanged Bearings are a cost-effective solution for linear motion applications where smooth travel and easy mounting are key. Designed with an integrated flange, they simplify installation while maintaining reliable performance. These bearings are ideal for systems that require dependable motion in light- to moderate-duty environments, especially where simplicity and value are priorities.

Name Nominal ID (mm) Nominal OD (mm) Shaft Diameter (mm) Static Load (lbs) Shop Link
IBFPM08-01 8 8.025–8.083 16 1,511 Shop Now
IBFPM12-01 12 12.030–12.088 22 1,511 Shop Now
IBFPM16-01 16 16.030–16.088 26 2,266 Shop Now
IBFPM20-01 20 20.030–20.091 32 3,541 Shop Now
IBFPM25-01 25 25.030–25.091 40 5,705 Shop Now
IBFPM30-01 30 30.040–30.110 47 8,026 Shop Now
IBFPM40-01 40 40.040–40.115 62 12,589 Shop Now
IBFPM50-01 50 50.050–50.130 75 19,669 Shop Now
Name Nominal ID (mm) Nominal OD (mm) Shaft Diameter (mm) Static Load (lbs) Shop Link
IBFPMR08-01 8 8.025–8.083 16 1,511 Shop Now
IBFPMR12-01 12 12.030–12.088 22 1,511 Shop Now
IBFPMR16-01 16 16.030–16.088 26 2,266 Shop Now
IBFPMR20-01 20 20.030–20.091 32 3,541 Shop Now
IBFPMR25-01 25 25.030–25.091 40 5,705 Shop Now
IBFPMR30-01 30 30.040–30.110 47 8,026 Shop Now
IBFPMR40-01 40 40.040–40.115 62 12,589 Shop Now
IBFPMR50-01 50 50.050–50.130 75 19,669 Shop Now