Determining the expected life a recirculating ball or roller bearing is fairly straightforward when the applied loads and duty cycle are known. Just use the bearing life equation: for recirculating ball bearings OR for recirculating roller bearings Where: L = bearing life C = bearing dynamic load capacity F = applied dynamic load These equations give the […]
Ball + roller guides
Telescoping slides: Extending the reach of linear guides
Traditional round shaft and profiled rail linear guides can be joined in sections to provide virtually unlimited travel. But some applications require a linear guide that can extend into and retract out of the work area, and with profiled rail and round shaft guides, there’s not a simple, easy way to do this. For these […]
Which linear guides are interchangeable?
The need to replace a linear guide in an existing machine or assembly can arise for any number of reasons: to improve the stiffness of the assembly by changing to a bearing with higher preload, or to accommodate unforeseen space constraints by using a different bearing type or style. And sometimes, a linear guide needs to be replaced […]
What are recirculating linear bearings?
Linear ball and roller bearings can be broadly divided into two categories—recirculating and non-recirculating—depending on whether or not the rolling elements actually flow (or circulate) through the bearing housing. In order to understand what a recirculating linear bearing is, let’s first take a look at bearings that don’t recirculate. Non-recirculating linear bearings Non-recirculating bearings have […]
Custom dovetail slides (and other linear components) from Gilman Precision
Gilman Precision sells myriad custom products with an array of size, accuracy range, and complexity variations. Gilman can tailor specific dimensions to given motion applications. For more data and information regarding customization options and assemblies, email sales@gilmanprecision.com. Dovetail slides for simple and cost-effective precision movement Base width is 1.00 to 36.00 in. and base length is to 200.00 in. long. Hardened-way slides for ruggedness […]
What is L10 life and why does it matter?
One of the fundamental steps in selecting a recirculating linear bearing, whether profiled rail or round shaft type, is to calculate the bearing life. But how is this calculation derived, and what does it mean in the “real world?” Bearing life for recirculating linear bearings, often referred to as the L10 life, is a method […]
New Profile Rail Linear Recirculating Bearings from Lintech
Lintech’s MR, ARC, and HRC Profile Rail Linear Recirculating Bearings incorporate two or four rows of recirculating balls arranged in a 45 degree contact angle with the raceway. The rigidity under moment and torsional loads is increased by this design. Larger ball size is used to enhance the load capabilities. This design offers equal loading in all […]
When is static load capacity important?
When sizing a recirculating bearing, most designers and engineers focus on bearing life, which is based on dynamic load capacity. This is the load at which a linear recirculating bearing will, with 90 percent certainty, achieve the targeted service life before fatigue occurs. Static load capacity, on the other hand, is the force that causes permanent […]
How to choose linear guide accuracy
When choosing a recirculating linear guide, there are several criteria that need to be specified, including size, preload and accuracy. And although the term “accuracy” is often used in a generic sense, when referring to recirculating ball or roller guides, it designates five characteristics: Height tolerance of the rail and block assembly Permissible difference in height between […]
FoodStream Pillow and Flange Blocks: FDA/USDA and 3A-Dairy Compliant
FoodStream electroless nickel plated pillow and flange blocks from LM76 are FDA/USDA/3A-Dairy compliant linear motion components. They complement LM76’s line of FDA compliant bearings, scraper seals, and shafting. FoodStream off-the-shelf pillow and flange blocks are ideal for use in processing and packaging food, producing pharmaceuticals, the BioPharma industry, and in medical devices. Inch size FoodStream […]
