Cross Motion Linear Guides Reduce Assembly Time

THK, the global innovator in linear motion technology, has extended its range of high accuracy SCR cross motion linear guides with the addition of two new small sizes of rail width, at 15mm and 20mm. Developed to help machine builders and OEMs reduce design and assembly time and costs, the new sizes are especially suitable for use in compact automation and production systems, in applications ranging from printed circuit board manufacture to pack erection and handling. In essence, the SCR is constructed from four standard LM guides, arranged in two parallel sets that are mounted at right angles to each, providing motion in both X and Y axes. This fully integrated unit guarantees smooth and consistent motion at high speeds, with excellent levels of accuracy, typically to within 2 microns in every 100mm of travel, and provides an extremely stable platform on which to base linear automation systems. The cross rail structure enables the new linear motion guides to make complex planar movements, in horizontal or vertical alignments, while the use of 45 deg contact angles ball to raceway ensures equal load ratings on each guide rail in the radial, reverse radial and lateral directions also utilising Caged Ball technology, means reducing operating noise and heat to an absolute minimum, while extending operating life to in excess of 40,000km without the need for maintenance. One of the key advantages of the new SCR is the ability to allow machine builders and OEMs to specify and install one complete unit, which has been pre-tested to guaranteed standards, as opposed to the use of multiple and separate guides, rails and mounting blocks. As a result, the new guides can significantly reduce both design and assembly times and, perhaps as importantly, eliminate the problems of misalignment that can occur when assembling linear guides to synchronise in X and Y axes. The SCR guides are available in varying accuracy grades, ranging from precision to super precision right through to ultra precision, and each is supplied with a choice of contamination protection devices, including end seals, double seals and scrapers. The complete SCR family of guides now ranges from 15mm to 63mm width rails, giving the capability of constructing automation systems for both lightweight to heavy duty applications.