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Linear Motion Tips

Covering Linear Motion Systems, Components and Linear Motion Resources

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Linear Guides

Breaking down linear bearing construction

May 8, 2015 By Danielle Collins 5 Comments

Bosch Rexroth Profiled Rail

As with most complex products or systems, specifying and applying profiled rail bearings doesn’t require that you know every detail of linear bearing construction. But having a basic understanding of the various design types and geometries can help you choose a product that enhances, rather than detracts from, the performance of your machine—especially in applications that […]

Filed Under: Applications, Ball + roller guides, Slides + guides (all) Tagged With: bearing design, linear guide, Linear Guides

Nook Industries offers caged ball profiled rails for linear guidance

April 17, 2015 By Danielle Collins 1 Comment

Nook Caged Ball Rail

Nook Industries, a leading innovator of linear motion components and systems, introduces caged ball profile rails for linear guidance. Caged ball chains provide reduced friction and lower noise levels and prevent the bearings from making incidental contact. An industry leader for more than 40 years, Nook’s new line improves on more traditional designs with lubrication advantages, […]

Filed Under: Ball + roller guides, Industry news Tagged With: Linear Guides, nook industries

Miniature linear ball rails from Nook Industries for high-speed running capacity

April 16, 2015 By Danielle Collins 1 Comment

Nook Mini Ball Rail

Nook Industries, a leading innovator of linear motion components and systems, has launched a new miniature linear ball rail ideally suited for high-speed, belt-driven mechanisms and carrier designs as well as automation linkage between stations. Offered in three accuracy grades, Precision (P), High (H) and Normal (N), these miniature linear ball rails provide significant maintenance […]

Filed Under: Ball + roller guides, Industry news Tagged With: Linear Guides, nook industries

Ball Chains: Two things you might not know

April 3, 2015 By Danielle Collins 1 Comment

Radial bearings have used ball cages for nearly a century, but this technology was only introduced to profiled rail guides within the last two decades. THK pioneered the way, launching its Caged Ball® LM Guide in 1996, and other profiled rail manufacturers soon followed suit with ball chain and ball spacer designs. Now, virtually every style […]

Filed Under: Applications, Ball + roller guides Tagged With: linear guide, Linear Guides, profiled rail

When to use cam roller guides. (Hint: it’s more often than you think.)

March 13, 2015 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

With so many linear guide choices—from roller rails to plastic wheels—deciding which technology is right for your application can be difficult. On one hand, not every application requires machine tool rigidity and the ability to move a small car. But on the other hand, most applications require a guide that can withstand high duty cycles […]

Filed Under: Applications, Track roller (cam + wheel) guides Tagged With: cam roller guide, linear guide, Linear Guides, linear motion

Hardened way slides provide durability for long-life operations

March 10, 2015 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

Hardened Way Slide

Gilman Precision explains the basics of a hardened way slide, including which applications they are good for and how to keep yours in great working condition. Predominantly used for high production, hardened way slides provide linear rigidity for heavy duty applications. “A hardened way slide is a linear positioning device that incorporates precision, ground rectangular […]

Filed Under: Industry news, Linear actuators (all), Stages + gantries Tagged With: gilman, Linear Actuators, Linear Guides, linear motion, Linear Slide, Linear Slides

What is preload?

February 23, 2015 By Danielle Collins 8 Comments

Have you ever wondered, “what is preload”? We’re here to help! Applications that use linear bearings or ball screws often require precise positioning, which means that the motion components must be rigid. And while recirculating ball guides and screws are able to carry large loads, they inherently have clearance, or backlash, due to the size […]

Filed Under: Applications, Ball + lead + roller screws, Ball + roller guides, Linear drives (all), Slides + guides (all) Tagged With: ball nut, Ball Screw, Linear Drives, Linear Guides, linear motion, preload

High-class linear guides: How industry quantifies rail accuracy values

February 5, 2015 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

I once overheard a colleague, relatively new to linear motion and eager to be helpful, tell a customer, “H stands for our high-class rail.” While the thought of a “high-class” rail was amusing, technically she was correct. In profiled linear guide terminology, H is the designation for high class … … high accuracy class, that […]

Filed Under: Applications, Ball + roller guides, Slides + guides (all) Tagged With: Accuracy, linear guide, Linear Guides, linear motion

Roller rail guides: Three reasons why you should use them

January 14, 2015 By Danielle Collins 1 Comment

Roller rail guides, which use cylindrical or barrel-shaped rollers instead of spherical balls for the load–bearing elements, are typically associated with machine tool applications. But the performance benefits that rollers bring to machining centers can be worthwhile in other applications as well. If you’re designing a machine or system that requires linear motion, consider these […]

Filed Under: Applications, Ball + roller guides, Slides + guides (all) Tagged With: Application, Linear Guides, Roller Guides

Five Ways to Make Your Linear System Cleanroom Friendly

December 19, 2014 By Danielle Collins 3 Comments

Cleanroom

Implementing linear motion in a cleanroom presents a particularly difficult challenge, since motion – whether rolling or sliding – necessarily produces particles. But by understanding the sources that contribute to particle generation and implementing smart design options, it is possible to achieve linear motion without compromising even the most stringent cleanroom environments. Below are five ways […]

Filed Under: Linear actuators (all), Linear drives (all), Slides + guides (all) Tagged With: Actuators, Ball Screw, cleanroom, Linear Actuator, Linear Actuators, Linear Drives, Linear Guides, linear motion

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