One automated worm farm in Germany to breed and grow worms includes machines to continuously lift, transport, release, stack, drill, and spray giant red worms called dendrobena. Duren-based SUPERWURM uses robots and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) until the worms are ready for sale to fishermen, as food for animals, and as natural fertilizer for gardens […]
Slides + guides (all)
How to specify linear motion components for vacuum applications
Vacuum applications are common in the manufacturing of semiconductors, liquid crystal and plasma displays, fiber optics, and aerospace components, where linear motion systems are used for the positioning, handling, and alignment of critical equipment. Although vacuum applications are often likened to cleanroom applications, in the category of “special environments,” there is a critical difference between […]
How raceway geometry affects profiled rail guide performance
In the context of profiled rail guides with recirculating balls, the raceway geometry defines how the load-carrying balls are positioned relative to the raceways of the rail and the bearing (aka “carriage” or “slide”). The two most common raceway geometries are referred to as circular arc and Gothic arch, but some manufacturers have adopted a […]
Beam deflection equations for linear systems
When a linear guide, such as a round shaft or profiled rail, deflects or sags, the bearings that travel along the guide experience edge loading (a higher load concentrated at the ends of the bearing), which can cause rough, irregular movement, increased wear, and reduced bearing life. And when a linear guide is incorporated into […]
THK expands manufacturing plants and automated processes in response to LM guide demand
THK is taking major steps to meet the growing worldwide demand for linear motion products. In fact, as the world leader in linear motion guides, THK has recently invested over a half-billion dollars in new brick and mortar facilities that will increase floor space for their global manufacturing operations to just under 10.5 million square […]
What benefits do dovetail slides offer versus other linear bearing types?
Dovetail slides are a type of plain linear bearing — along with boxway slides and plain bushings made of plastic, composite, or bronze — that rely on direct contact between sliding surfaces to support a load. These differ from modern rolling element linear bearings, which use balls or rollers to reduce friction between the load-bearing […]
Case-hardened tapped or threaded shafts, ready to ship
Made in the U.S.A., NB’s shafts are never annealed, so outer diameters are ultra precise — tolerances are always reliable. Tapped shafts can be ordered with one or both ends tapped, in either case-hardened carbon steel or stainless steel. Threaded shafts can be ordered with one or both ends threaded, in case-hardened carbon steel. Diameters […]
Timken acquiring linear-motion supplier Rollon
The Timken Company, a world leader in engineered bearings and power transmission products, has reached an agreement with pan-European firm Chequers Capital and IGI Private Equity to acquire Rollon Group. A leader in engineered linear motion products, Rollon specializes in the design and manufacture of linear guides, telescopic rails and linear actuators used in a […]
What’s the difference between dynamic load capacity and static load capacity?
Rolling element linear bearings, such as round shafts and bushings, profiled rail guides, crossed roller slides, and even ball screws, have two load capacity specifications — dynamic load capacity and static load capacity — which are based on different operating parameters and performance criteria and are independent of each other. To accurately size and select a […]
When should you use a ball spline?
A ball spline is a type of rolling bearing linear guide, similar to a round shaft and bushing assembly, but with a critical distinction in its operation. The shaft of a ball spline is much like a linear guide shaft, except that the spline shaft has grooves along its length. The spline nut (analogous to […]
