Rack and pinion drives are often used in applications that require stroke lengths beyond the practical limits of ball screws and thrust forces that exceed the capabilities of belt drives. And in some applications, rack and pinion systems can also provide lower total inertia than a suitable ball screw or belt drive alternative, which can […]
Rack + pinion driven
What are some linear motion options for moving multiple loads independently?
From a mechanical standpoint, one of the more challenging applications in linear motion has traditionally been to move two or more loads independently, as is required in some handling, transport, and inspection applications. While using multiple linear systems, or preassembled actuators, is a simple solution mechanically, this option typically requires a significant amount of space […]
What’s the difference between module and diametral pitch for rack and pinion drives?
Gear sizes are typically specified by one of two designations: module or diametral pitch. While both specifications define the size of the gear teeth, module and diametral pitch are calculated differently, with module (sometimes referred to as metric pitch) being the metric sizing standard and diametrical pitch being the Imperial (inch) sizing method. Standard modules for […]
Mapping tool optimizes gear rack assembly to maximize positioning accuracy
The positioning accuracy of a rack & pinion drive is dependent on the cumulative pitch error inherent in each gear rack used. For long travel lengths, this cumulative pitch error can add up quickly and dramatically affect the positioning accuracy of the axis. ATLANTA now offers “digital” gear racks and a smartphone app that when […]
The top 10 linear motion articles of 2020
Suffice it to say, pretty much everything about 2020 has been out of the ordinary, and our recap of the top linear motion articles for this year is no exception. For the first time in recent history, only one (1!) of the top 10 articles is about ball or lead screw technologies — a topic that usually […]
How to size a rack-and-pinion system for a precision motion axis
In a previous motion-sizing article, we reviewed how to properly specify a ballscrew-driven motion axis. Here we review how engineering teams can use a similar approach for sizing rack-and-pinion-based servomotor-driven axes on the same five-axis gantry. We’ll use manufacturer software to work through the application. By Sixto Moralez • Regional motion engineer | Yaskawa America […]
Güdel gantry robots add gentle touch to bakery automation
In the U.S., about 50 million people a day eat at fast-food restaurants — and about 60,000 of those establishments sell hamburgers. That requires epic volumes of fresh buns every day … and only commercial bakeries with automated operations can output sufficient production volumes. Workhorse Automation Inc. (based in Oxford, Pa.) supplies machines to this […]
New rack and pinion systems available from GAM Enterprises
GAM now offers new helical rack and pinion systems. High quality rack and precision pinions are paired with GAM gearboxes for optimized system performance. Helical rack provides smooth, quiet operation and precision operation. The rack is available in 1-meter lengths in module 2, 3, or 4 and ISO quality 6 or 10. Precision pinions in […]
How to size a rack and pinion drive
In linear motion applications, ball screws are widely recognized for their ability to provide high thrust forces, while linear motors are gaining market share in high-speed applications, and belt drives continue to maintain their reputation as the best solution for long travel lengths. But rack and pinion drives are the often-overlooked workhorses behind gantry and […]
Does my system need high accuracy or repeatability (or both)?
Question: “I’m designing a new linear motion system. Should I design it for high accuracy or repeatability? Or both?” Before we answer this question, let’s define accuracy and repeatability for linear systems… Accuracy In linear motion, there are two generally categories of accuracy – positioning accuracy and travel accuracy. Positioning accuracy specifies the difference between […]
