UHMW Guides
Custom machined UHMW guides for chain management, wear protection, and material handling systems
- Significant friction reduction without any lubrication
- FDA compliant UHMW guides for direct food contact
- Metal & X-ray detectable UHMW guides for food safety programs
- Custom profiles reverse engineered from worn parts
- Serving Chicago and nationwide since 1986
Overview
UHMW guides for every industrial application. Self-lubricating guides that outlast metal while eliminating maintenance.
CDS Plastics manufactures precision UHMW guides including UHMW chain guides, UHMW wear strips, and UHMW guide rails that significantly reduce friction compared to metal guides. Our CNC machined UHMW-PE guides eliminate the need for lubrication while providing superior wear resistance in demanding applications. From standard UHMW guide profiles to custom UHMW guide replacement parts, we deliver self-lubricating guides that typically outlast steel in abrasive conditions.
Why Choose CDS Plastics UHMW Guides
Self-Lubricating Performance Eliminates Maintenance Forever
Virgin UHMW guides require zero lubrication throughout their service life, eliminating grease contamination and maintenance costs while providing a low coefficient of friction (0.10-0.15) versus steel's higher friction (0.45).
Significantly Longer Life Than Steel in Abrasive Conditions
UHMW conveyor guides typically outlast metal guides substantially in applications with dust, debris, or abrasive materials, reducing replacement frequency and downtime.
Won't Damage Chains, Belts, or Products
Unlike metal guides that can scratch and wear components, low friction UHMW guides provide gentle contact that can extend chain life considerably and eliminates product marking.
FDA Compliance with Detectable Options
Our FDA compliant UHMW guides meet all food contact requirements, with metal & x-ray detectable UHMW guides available for critical contamination prevention in HACCP programs.
Solutions for Common Guide System Challenges
Constant Lubrication Requirements
Rapid Guide Wear and Replacement
Chain and Belt Damage
Excessive System Noise
Product Marking and Scratching
Technical Specifications & Capabilities
Machining Capabilities
- Length: Up to 20 feet (longer available in sections)
- Thickness: 0.125" to 4"
- Width: 0.25" to 12"
- Tolerance: ±0.005" standard, ±0.002" precision
- Surface finish: 63Ra Standard. Better available.
- Profile complexity: Simple to complex custom shapes
Types of UHMW Guides We Machine
- Chain Guides: U-channel, L-shaped, P-profile, Z-shaped, custom
- Wear Strips: Flat, beveled, grooved, notched profiles
- Guide Rails: Adjustable, curved, straight, snap-on designs
- Belt Guides: V-guides, tracking guides, crowned profiles
- Custom Profiles: Reverse engineered from your worn guides
Material Grades and Options
- Virgin UHMW: Maximum performance, FDA/USDA compliant
- Reprocessed UHMW: Economical option for non-food applications
- Metal Detectable UHMW: Blue color with metal/X-ray detection
- Static Dissipative UHMW: For explosive or electronic environments
- Standard Colors: Natural (white), black, blue (detectable), custom colors
Material Comparison Table
| Property | UHMW | Steel | Nylon | PTFE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friction Coefficient | 0.10-0.15 | 0.45 | 0.25 | 0.04 |
| Wear Resistance | Excellent | Poor | Good | Fair |
| Lubrication Needed | No | Yes | Sometimes | No |
| FDA Compliant | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Noise Level | Very Low | High | Low | Very Low |
| Cost | $$ | $$$ | $$ | $$$$ |
| Impact Resistance | Excellent | Good | Good | Poor |
Information We Need From You
To machine your UHMW guide replacement parts, provide us with:
- Application details: Chain size, belt type, or product being guided
- Environmental conditions: Temperature, chemicals, moisture
- Current guide specifications: Dimensions, profile shape
- Mounting method: Bolted, clamped, snap-fit
- Sample part or drawing: For exact profile replication
- Special requirements: FDA compliance, detectability needs
Industries and Applications
Food & Beverage Processing
- Bottle filling lines use our UHMW guide rails for gentle product handling
- Metal detectable UHMW guides for contamination prevention
- Conveyor transfer guides that withstand daily sanitization
- Chain guides for wet environments without corrosion
Material Handling & Distribution
- UHMW wear strips for package handling systems
- Chain guides for sortation equipment
- Curved guides for spiral conveyors
- Low friction UHMW guides for accumulation zones
Packaging Machinery
- Changeover guide sets for different container sizes
- UHMW guides for food processing and pharmaceutical lines
- Custom UHMW guide profiles for specialized equipment
- Quick-release designs for tool-free adjustments
Chemical Processing
- Chemical-resistant guides for corrosive environments
- UHMW guides vs nylon guides: superior chemical resistance
- No spark generation in volatile areas
- Withstand acids, bases, and solvents
Manufacturing & Assembly
- UHMW conveyor guides for production lines
- Static-dissipative options for electronics
- Custom profiles for specialized processes
- Virgin UHMW guides for cleanroom applications
Agricultural Equipment
- UHMW guide strips for grain handling
- Weather-resistant outdoor applications
- Impact-resistant guides for heavy materials
- Self-cleaning profiles for dusty environments
Ordering Process
Information Required for Quoting
- Guide type and profile (U-channel, wear strip, etc.)
- Dimensions (length, width, thickness)
- Quantity and delivery requirements
- Material grade (virgin, reprocessed, detectable)
- Mounting specifications
Standard Profile Options
- U-Channel: For top chain guidance
- L-Profile: Side guides and corner protection
- P-Profile: Combination top and side guidance
- Z-Profile: Offset mounting applications
- Flat Strips: Simple wear surfaces
- Custom: Any profile you need
No Drawings? No Problem
Send us your worn guides for reverse engineering. We capture exact profiles and dimensions to create UHMW guide replacement parts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do UHMW guides need lubrication?
No, UHMW guides are completely self-lubricating. The material has an inherent low coefficient of friction (0.10-0.15) that never requires oil or grease. This eliminates maintenance costs and contamination risks permanently.
How long do UHMW guides last compared to steel?
UHMW guides typically last significantly longer than steel guides in abrasive conditions. In one food processing application, steel guides lasted 3 months while our UHMW guides are still running after 18 months. The exceptional wear resistance comes from UHMW's molecular weight of 3-6 million.
Can you match our existing guide profiles?
Yes, our reverse engineering service duplicates any guide profile exactly. Send us a sample or worn part and we'll capture all dimensions to create perfect replacements. We maintain your profile documentation for easy reordering.
What's the difference between virgin and reprocessed UHMW?
Virgin UHMW offers maximum performance with the highest molecular weight and best wear resistance. It's FDA compliant for food contact. Reprocessed UHMW provides good performance at lower cost for non-food applications. Both eliminate lubrication needs.
Are UHMW guides FDA approved?
Yes, virgin UHMW guides are FDA and USDA compliant for direct food contact. We provide full certification documentation. We also offer metal detectable and ultra detectable grades for food safety programs requiring contamination prevention.
Contact our engineering team for application assistance and rapid quoting
