PBC Linear’s Integral V™ Extends the Reach for Equipois zeroG™

Rockford, IL – Equipois, a mechanical design firm that provides ergonomic solutons, works tirelessly to reduce labor strain and improve efficiency in machine-tool applications. Their latest product, the zeroG™, allows for heavy machining tools (grinders, cutters, drills) to be suspended mid-air—providing easy access and operation while eliminating heavy-lifting! For one of their latest applications, Equipois approached PBC Linear for a complimentary linear guide system to the zeroG™ to be installed into a grinding work-area.

Successful linear guidance rested on two factors: ease of movement and load handling. The application required a linear system to support the wide working envelope of the grinding area. Fitted with the grinding tool, the zeroG™ weighs 100 lbs. The linear guide system needed to support the heavy moment load of the grinding arm while smoothly traveling along the guide rail at the hands of the operator.

Integral V™ Technology (IVT) was the solution. Introduced as the next generation linear guide, IVT is designed for heavy load support, precise guidance, and smooth travel. Each IVT linear guide aluminum extrusion is precision-machined using PBC Linear’s patent pending SIMO™ process. This creates a stronger, more rigid extrusion that matches the strength of steel—allowing IVT to easily handle high static/dynamic loads. The SIMO™ process machines all critical sides of an aluminum extrusion in one pass, creating a remarkably straight surface (tolerances held within ± .001’’). This eliminates the need for fasteners, and drastically reduces alignment/installation time while ensuring high accuracy.

Reduced costs and simplified assembly are very attractive reasons to choose IVT, but the proof lies in the performance. Equipois needed a guide system to support a high roll moment load (the zeroG suspends tools using an extendable/moveable arm attached to the linear guide). Once installed, the Integral V™ linear guide system easily tolerated the required static/dynamic loads (IVT Double Bolt-on tested for roll moment loads of 338 N-m static and 374 N-m dynamic). Gothic arch dual row bearings provided smooth, hand-operated travel of the linear guide; allowing the zeroG™ to be freely used throughout the grinding area.

Easily adapted into the Equipois system, IVT worked great with the zeroG™. The grinding tool operator could bend, pull, align and grind with ease, and IVT gave enhanced movement and freedom to the tooling area. For more information on Integral V™ Technology (IVT); such as more application examples and detailed technical data, please call 1.800.729.9085, email to marketing@pbclinear.com or visit us at our homepage at IVT.pbclinear.com.

For more information on Equipois zeroG™ or any other of their strain reducing, problem solving products, please visit their website at http://www.equipoisinc.com.

PBC Linear
www.PBCLinear.com

PBC Linear’s Integral V™ Linear Guiding System

Rockford, IL – Typical gantry routers can be used to accomplish a wide variety of specialized tasks. From woodworking to foam cutting, CNC routers are a commonplace system found in many different areas on the manufacturing floor. These routers rely on precise linear motion in order to accuratly complete objectives. Traditionally, this would entail several mounting components and a painstaking alignment process that drives up production costs and time. However, with the recent introduction of PBC Linear’s patented Integral V™ linear guiding system, this alignment process is a thing of the past.

Routers typically have large work envelopes and rely on the gantry’s structure to support the router head. The router process relies on high speed spindles that run in excess of 20,000 RPM and require the tool to quickly and accurately machine through the material with a series of high speed cuts. Due to the machining process, the machine base does not have to be as robust as a metal cutting machine and their structural members are manufactured typically out of structural aluminum framing. However before the process can run, the linear guide must be precision aligned in a process that could take hours with the old process, or minutes with IVT.

Integral V Technology (IVT) works to reduce installation time and drive down costs by eliminating mounting components while still maintaing a highly accurate linear motion system. Many hours can be consumed by the machine builder to properly align their cutting machine with the linear guide. Conventional linear guide systems rely on mounting components to maintain precision alignment and accurate travel. These mounting components are installed and arduously aligned to ensure precision in a process that can take hours. With IVT, the durable aluminum extrusion maintains its tight tolerances throughout the extent of the extrusion! This is accomplished by IVT’s innovative design and PBC Linear’s newly developed SIMO (Simultaneous Integral Milling Operation) process.

The SIMO process provides precision machined aluminum extrusions and extremely tight tolerances by using synchronized tooling to maintain alignment along the rail. In a straight line production process,SIMO can machine an extrusion concurrently and consistently on all four sides with one pass. This creates a solution to a common problem in several industries: cost efficient precision machined extrusions. SIMO reduces the meticulous alignment phase from hours to minutes. From simple linear guides to customized extrusions for routers, the SIMO can quickly machine out an accurate extrusion at no added cost.

Recently, IVT has been implemented in several different routers spanning a wide variety of industries. Using custom-built extrusions, IVT has drastically reduced the router’s mounting components, installation time, and production cost; yielding a simplified, highly accurate linear motion guide. With IVT’s custom integrated frame design, the lightweight aluminum structure can hold up against immense weight and provide highly accurate, long-lasting travel for the router. From installation to the end result, IVT creates a simplified and economical solution to linear motion in routing systems.

ivt.pbclinear.com