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Carburisation process allows smaller racks to be used

08 October, 2010

At the recent Motek handling exhibition in Germany, Wittenstein unveiled a new generation of racks for rack-and-pinion systems, produced using a combination of carburising and case-hardening processes. This is said to result in stronger tooth roots which boost the racks’ ability to withstand stresses and allow them to endure much higher linear forces without altering their geometry. As a result, it is possible to downsize the rack to the next smaller size – or transmit higher forces with the same size – without compromising its performance.

The rack-and-pinion systems (above) are said to be ideal for applications with high feeding forces, which need compact, dynamic drives. They can provide a linear positioning accuracy of 30µm (even without direct-measuring systems), acceleration rates of up to 4g, and travel speeds of more than 300 m/min.

According the Wittenstein, the savings that result from the rack system’s high efficiency can be up to €20 per hour of operation for a medium-sized milling centre, compared to a linear motor.

Based on the new rack technology, Wittenstein has broadened its portfolio to include:
•  a “performance” system for maximum dynamics and feeding forces when installation space is limited;
•  a “precision” system offering exacting dynamics in high-end applications;
•  a “smart” system, for mounting with more degrees of freedom in flexible applications; and
•  an “economy” system for standard linear tasks.




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