Posted to News on 1st Jun 2007, 15:49
Linear guides offer higher speed and longer life
Schaeffler's Linear Technology division is introducing an innovative, modular, high-speed linear guidance system that reduces throughput times in high-speed handling and automation tasks, while claiming to offer a 30 per cent higher service life over competing products.
In order to produce or assemble products faster, manufacturers require faster machines and highly automated production systems. Linear drive technologies, including linear motors and linear guidance systems, are therefore required that offer higher operating speeds and improved dynamics.
While there are linear guidance systems on the market today that are capable of reaching speeds of around 8m/s by using hybrid ceramic rolling elements, the Schaeffler Group's INA Linear Technology Division has developed a linear guide that operates on steel rolling elements, which is capable of reaching even higher speeds of up to 10m/s. No hybrid technology was used at all in the design of these new linear guides. Furthermore, compared to competing products on the market, Schaeffler's new high-speed linear guides are claimed to offer a 30 per cent higher basic rating life.
The new KUVE-B-HS high-speed version of Schaeffler's KUVE-B linear guidance range is a four-row, linear recirculating ball bearing and guideway assembly. The system was unveiled for the first time to visitors to the Schaeffler Group's stand at the recent Hanover Fair exhibition in Germany. With such high speed and acceleration capabilities, the new guides offer machine builders and systems integrators faster throughput times and improved dynamics for their customers. The guides are suitable for highly automated production environments, semiconductor manufacturers and high-speed pick-and-place applications.
Size-for-size equivalents
Because the new guides use steel rolling elements rather than ceramic balls, load-carrying capacity and rigidity are equivalent to standard full-complement KUVE-B guides of the same size and variant.
The KUVE-B-HS guides are robust, reliable and safe. The guides run on Schaeffler's standard TKVD guideways and so are easily interchangeable with other guides. The units have a design envelope that corresponds to those specified in DIN 645. The guides are compact for screw mounting. Five variants of the KUVE25-B-HS are available now, with more versions expected soon.
