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Whispah Linear Slide suitable for non-contaminating linear motion applications

LM76 (www.lm76.com), a world leader in self lubricating linear motion bearings, has unveiled a linear slide ideal for non-contaminating linear motion applications such as pharmaceutical, medical and food processing equipment — the Whispah Linear Slide.

Offering smooth motion, the new linear slide is exceptionally quiet and is low cost. The Whispah Linear Slide has been specifically developed to fully utilize LM76’s Minute Man Linear Bearings’ properties, such as high load capacity, low friction, high speed (400 SFM), self lubrication, shock absorption, very low friction (0.09 to 0.12 C of F), zero absorption and noiseless.

Aside from non-contaminating environments, the stable two rail Whispah Linear Slide is also well suited for use in harsh environments such as welding systems, caustic wash downs, ceramic tile wet saws and outdoor (all-weather) applications.

The new Whispah Linear Slide comes in two different sizes. The WSP 2 Twin Rail System, which can handle greater load and provide higher stability, features 6.00” long x 7.00” wide table with a bearing centerline to centerline measurement of 2.906”. Meanwhile, the low profile WSP 1 Twin Rail System has 4.00” long x 5.50” wide table and a bearing centerline to centerline of 2.125”, can support side loads (Co-rad) to 75 lbs and vertical loads (Co-ax) to 150 lbs.

Both versions are offered in lengths to 120”. For longer life, aluminum two rail extrusion of the Whispah Linear Slide is covered with a Hardcoat finish. It also features predrilled mounting holes, making integration into existing or new systems easy. Although it is a low profile system, it still has room for easy mounting of electro-mechanical linear actuator or pneumatic cylinder to operate the slide.

New Whispah™ Linear Slide from LM76

E. Longmeadow, Mass. – The new Whispah™ Linear Slide from LM76 is a low-cost, quiet linear slide designed to use the properties of LM76′s Minute Man Linear Bearings series such as low friction, high load capacity, high speed (400 sfm), shock absorption, self lubrication, zero absorption, and low coefficient of friction (0.09 to 0.12).

The light weight Whispah Linear Slide is available in two sizes. The WSP 1 Twin Rail System features a 4.00 in. long x 5.50 in. wide table with a bearing centerline to centerline measurement of 2.125 in. For greater load and higher stability, the WSP 2 Twin Rail System features a 6.00 long x 7.00 in. wide table and a bearing centerline to centerline of 2.906 in.

The low profile Whispah 1 Linear Slide can handle vertical loads to 150 lbs and side loads to 75 lbs. Whispah 2 Linear Slide can handles vertical loads to 225 lbs and side loads to 125 lbs. Both Whispah Linear Slides are available in lengths to 120 in. The precision aluminum two-rail extrusion has a Hardcoat finish for long life, and each rail is hollow to allow for a water or air line and wiring. Predrilled mounting holes make integration into new or existing systems fast and easy. There is also room to easily mount a pneumatic cylinder or electro-mechanical linear actuator to operate the slide.

The stable two-rail Whispah Linear Slide is ideal for linear motion applications in non-contaminating environments such as medical equipment, pharmaceutical manufacturing systems, and food processing equipment, or operate in harsh environments such as ceramic tile wet saws, welding systems, caustic wash downs, and outdoor (all-weather) applications.

For more information visit www.lm76.com.

Expanded Miniature Capability

PBC Linear is announcing an expanded miniature rail portfolio that includes new, ball-type products along with their proven Frelon self-lubricating plain bearing linear guides and driven stages. The end result is a complete new line of miniature linear motion technology that includes:

->Frelon plain bearing linear guides available in 5 sizes from 7mm – 20 mm
->Miniature ball-type linear guides as small as 3mm Lead screw driven miniature actuators from both technologies

This expanded miniature portfolio is available as a result of cooperation with Chieftek Precision Co, LTD (CPC), a global leader in small profile ball-guided technology. This new arrangement will facilitate collaborative new product designs; such as precise, lead-screw driven linear actuators from both triboligical bearing technologies to fit into the compact space of the miniature industry. The strategic basis of the cooperation is built on multiple elements; including:

->Application of each company’s core technologies and tribology expertise to accelerate new product development
->Enhanced sales coverage based upon PBC’s strong position in the America’s and CPC’s position in Southeast Asia
->Opportunities to leverage each other’s regional manufacturing and logistics infrastructure to enhance Global responsiveness

PBC Linear
www.pbclinear.com

Thomson introduces 400 Series Profile Rail Linear Guides

Thomson introduces 400 Series Profile Rail Linear Guides.  The 400 Series is available in 4 meter lengths, in sizes from 15 – 45 mm in 5 mm increments, for extended joint-free rail transfer, even in smaller-sized applications. Double-faced ball track bearing arrangements allow for compliance to simplify installation, and enable equal load carrying capacity in all directions. The 400 Series is available with standard or ball cage carriages that use the same rail design.

400 Series Profile Rail Linear Guides are rated to handle loads ranging from 9800 N up to 129,500 N. They feature a polymer ball-return tube that reduces noise while retaining lubrication. The ball cage option includes individual ball lubricant reservoirs to increase running smoothness and operating life, while reducing noise by up to 30% when compared with standard carriages, even at high speeds.

400 Series Profile Rail Linear Guides are an ideal linear motion solution for uncomplicated factory and laboratory automation, packaging, food and beverage, life science and certain medical applications. With an industry standard envelope and hole patterns, they are completely interchangeable with other profile rail systems and are well-suited as a drop-in replacement. And for higher precision mounting and more compliant system requirements in machine tool, forming, and many other applications with demanding linear motion requirements, the company’s time-tested and field-proven 500 Series Profile Rail Linear Guides are an ideal solution.

Thomson
www.thomsonlinear.com

Accuride Expands Heavy-Duty Slide Options

Accuride presents models 7950 and 7957, two new slides designed to expand the company’s heavyduty slide line-up and provide an intermediate load rating choice between the 3600 and 9300 products. The 7900 slides offer full extension, a load rating up to 350 pounds, and accommodate drawers up to 42″ wide. For added versatility, the slides may be flat mounted at a lower load capacity of up to 150 lbs. per pair.

Designed for applications such as mobile toolboxes and utility vehicle storage, the 7900 slides are a good drop-in alternative for .75″ side space projects, giving fabricators additional slide options for midrange loads, while increasing the aesthetics of the finished product.

Model 7950 does not offer a disconnect method, while Model 7957 has a handed lever disconnect. Both models have an enhanced ball retainer design, which mitigates retainer migration. Two special order models in a smaller cross section of .724″ are also available: models 7930 (non-disconnect) and 7937 (handed lever disconnect). All products are available in lengths of 12″ to 36″ in a clear zinc finish.

Accuride International
www.accuride.com

Bishop-Wisecarver Promotes National Sales Manager

Pittsburg, CA - Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation announced that National Sales Manager Michael McVeigh has been promoted to Vice President of Sales. He will have the primary responsibility of overseeing the entire sales channel for Bishop-Wisecarver, and manage all global efforts both domestically and internationally.

“I have had the pleasure of working with Mike for four years as our National Sales Manager. He has done a fabulous job of growing our sales efforts, even during the recent economic downturn,” said Pamela Kan, president of Bishop-Wisecarver. “The Board of Directors felt that bringing Mikes’ management skills to our entire sales channel will be an important element of our global sales efforts going forward. I look forward to working with Mike on our strategic sales plans for growing our sales both domestically and internationally.”

McVeigh is a college graduate from the University of New York at Buffalo. Prior to joining Bishop-Wisecarver in 2006 as the National Sales Manager, McVeigh worked in the bearing industry for 16 years in both sales and marketing. Since his hire at Bishop-Wisecarver, he has grown to appreciate the uniqueness of Bishop-Wisecarver’s customer base and their applications.

“Our overriding company goal is to become the customer’s 1st choice,” said McVeigh. “I am honored to be leading our team to meet this challenge as the Vice President of Sales.”

Bishop-Wisecarver
www.bwc.com

PBC Linear’s Uni-Guide Design Helps Team Win FRC Innovation Award

The FRC (First Robotic Competition) is put on through FIRST and used to provide hands-on design/mechanical physics and engineering experience to high school students—along with valuable teamwork building and project management skills. This year, Team 2641 (a.k.a. the Vikings) of Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School decided to implement PBC Linear’s Uni-Guide linear slide for reliable operation of their robot’s “kicking” mechanism. Installed into a system they designed, the Vikings took the Uni-Guide through a host of competitive events throughout the country, pitting their design against other high school teams in a remote game put together to test the ingenuity of each team.

FRC varies their game every year. For 2010, FRC rolled out Breakaway: a team effort game using a 27’ x 54’ carpeted field divided into thirds by two 13’’ barriers. The teams are grouped into alliances (3 teams and 3 robots per alliance). The robots use varied student-made designs to toss soccer balls at targets located on either side of the field in order to score points—the Vikings accomplished this utilizing their Uni-Guide controlled design. Teams can also score points by elevating or suspending robots by climbing towers at the center of the dividing barriers. To summarize, the alliance has 2 minutes 15 seconds to score the most points using their 3 unique and FRC approved robots.

At the beginning of the season, each team is given a strict budget of $3500.00 to create their unique robot design. For their robot, the Vikings required a reliable linear guide system to conduct the kicking mechanism in order to shoot the soccer balls into the targets. The linear guide would need to endure several performance obstacles: high shock vibration from periodic impact crashes during the game; functioning in particulate-heavy environments due to steel and aluminum filings; and fast changing repeatability under high charged loads.

The Vikings decided to go with PBC Linear’s Uni-Guide system. Using a motor driven, dual-carriage design, the Uni-Guide would drive one carriage down the slide and attach to the other. As the second carriage was retracted back up the slide, potential energy built-up—awaiting the trigger’s release. Once triggered, the carriage releases in a slingshot-like motion to provide the kicking foot with enough energy to easily knock soccer balls into the goal.

The Uni-Guide was the perfect solution. The linear slide’s plane bearing technology sustained smooth velocity control for the operation of the “kicking foot.” Containing no rolling elements, the Uni-Guide tolerates shock forces and contamination without experiencing system failure or binding. The simple, two-piece (rail and carriage) assembly mounts to existing systems and is precision machined to ensure high accuracy and repeatable travel. This reduces cost by eliminating further alignment machining and fasteners that other multiple piece linear guide assemblies require. Available in driven or un-driven assemblies with multiple carriages, the Uni-Guide is well-suited for unique applications that necessitate sophisticated control—even in harsh surroundings.

Put to the test in three regional competitions, the Vikings’ robot excelled in mechanical performance due to the team’s innovative design and hard-working components; such as the Uni-Guide. The Vikings were even recognized for their design, winning an award for Innovation and Control at the 2010 Long Island Regional (at which they also took first place). To learn more about the Vikings Robotics Team or FRC, please visit their website at http://robotics.centralcathorlichs.com/node/1.

PBC Linear
UniGuide.pbclinear.com

Linear Motion Slide Solution from Accuride

Accuride announces the launch of Model 115, a linear motion ball bearing slide that provides captive travel within the length of the outer member.

Model 115 may be side, flat, or vertically mounted. When mounted vertically, it may be used as a guide in non load-bearing applications. This product provides a low-cost solution for component guidance, support, or adjustment in a wide range of applications such as access to laptop docking stations in utility vehicles; bins for postal vehicles; reading machines for the visually impaired; traffic barriers; diagnostic equipment; and material handling in manufacturing machinery.

When mounted flat in pairs, Model 115 offers up to a 132-pound load rating; side mounted installations are up to 110 pounds per pair. A guide belt synchronizes the moving elements of the slide, ensuring smooth and consistent travel, while the moving member is fully supported on ball bearings at all times.

This product has been tested to 10,000 cycles and is available in zinc in lengths of 12″ to 28″ in 2″ increments, plus 32″, 36″, and 40″. It is RoHS compliant.

Accuride International
www.accuride.com

Guide to Motion Solutions for Packaging Applications

WOOD DALE, IL –Thomson has available a new Guide to Motion Solutions for Packaging Applications that offers information on how to leverage motion technology to design and build optimized packaging and related material handling machines.

Specific examples with detailed 3D application renderings include pick-and-place/palletizing, label printing/scanning, stretch wrapping, carton packing, PET bottle manufacturing and filling machines. The guide also provides an overview of the company’s linear motion and related components for packaging machinery including profile rails, RoundRail linear guides and components, lead and ball screws, linear actuators, precision linear actuators, linear motion systems, clutches and brakes, and gearheads.

Thomson
www.thomsonlinear.com

Bimba Introduces New Movable Housing Linear Slide

Monee, IL—Bimba Manufacturing introduces the newest addition to their linear slide product offering, the Movable Housing Linear Thruster. The Movable Housing Linear Slide is available in bore sizes 9/16” through 3”, spanning 7 different bore sizes and five guide shaft diameters. In addition, the Movable Housing Linear Slide is available with ball bearings (Model TMH) or composite bearings (Model TEMH) with both styles housed in black anodized carriages.

“This design compares favorably to competitive movable housing or gantry slides in load carrying capability, offering up to 50% more load carrying capability than the most popular competitive models,” said Bimba’s linear thruster Product Manager, Tom Carlson. To achieve increased load carrying, the new Movable Housing linear thruster uses a precision machined housing, guided by precision ground, case hardened chrome plated shafts powered by Bimba’s original round line cylinders.

Bimba Manufacturing
www.bimba.com

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