Posted to News on 22nd Jan 2016, 10:59
Zero-backlash thermoplastic rack and steel roller pinion
Nexen Group's latest generation of rack and pinion gears is said to provide new opportunities in precision motion control. An alternative to traditional metal racks, the new thermoplastic Versa Rack is characterised by low weight, high corrosion resistance and durability, low maintenance, and medium accuracy and load-carrying capacity - all at a relatively low price. Using Nexen's roller pinion system, which replaces the traditional pinion with bearing-supported rollers that mate with specially profiled teeth in the rack, results in better positional accuracy, speed and durability than conventional rack-and-pinion configurations.
Rack and pinions play a critical role in a wide range of linear motion control applications. The Versa Rack is suitable for many picking, part-marking and gantry-based automation systems as well as conveyors and CNC routers typically used for cutting wood, composites and plastic, which can generate large volumes of chips that can interfere with the lubrication of steel racks. Made of self-lubricating polymer, the Versa Rack is able to run at full speed without additional lubrication. It can easily withstand washdown, outdoors operation even in coastal climates with salty air, and other challenges, making it an economical option for use in dirty environments, clean rooms, and food and pharmaceutical production. Corresponding roller pinions can be specified in hard chrome-plated alloy steel, nickel-plated alloy steel or stainless steel with or without chrome plating.
The Versa Rack features backlash of less than 3.2um (generally referred to as 'zero backlash') and positional accuracy of +/-580um, depending on the pinion selected. It can be used with any of Nexen's pinions; lowest costs can be obtained with Nexen's Value Pinion, while higher performance is available with any of Nexen's premium pinions. The Versa Rack withstands loads of 500-1200N, depending on pinion size. The speed rating of value pinions and thermoplastic racks is 480-750rpm and 2m/s.
Follow the link for more information about the thermoplastic Versa Rack.
