Description
These systems are available in five levels of precision to meet any axis drive requirements. They utilize our wide range of standard Rack & Pinions (quality levels from DIN 4 to DIN 10) and Servo Reducers, which are available in-line (motor is in-line with pinion) and right-angle (motor is at a right-angle to pinion) versions to fit into most designs.
These drive systems are perfect for a wide range of applications, including axis drives requiring precise positioning & repeatability, traveling gantries & columns, pick & place robots, CNC routers and material handling systems. Heavy load capacities and duty cycles can also be easily handled with these drives. Industries served include Material Handling, Automation, Automotive, Aerospace, Machine Tool and Robotics.
Highlights:
- Low to ultra high precision
- Light duty to high force and speed systems
- Rack – Helical, straight, integrated (rail), and round versions available
- Pinion – Helical, straight, ISO flanged, split (zero backlash) and circular pitch
System Overview
There are five levels of system precision, each of which is well suited for certain types of applications (click on level for more information):
| System Precision Level: | Rack Type & Class: | Rack Quality Level: | Rack Pitch Error: | Rack & Pinion Minimum Backlash:* | Drive Force Capacity: |
| Ultra-High | Hardened & Ground (UHPR & HPR) | DIN 3 to 6 (~AGMA 12+) | < 0.012 to 0.036 mm per meter | Zero | up to 28,000 lb. |
| High | Hardened & Ground (UHPR & HPR) | DIN 3 to 6 (~AGMA 12+) | < 0.012 to 0.036 mm per meter | 0.02 mm | up to 28,000 lb. |
| Medium | Quenched & Tempered (PR) | DIN 8 (~AGMA 10) | < 0.100 mm per meter | 0.04 mm | up to 4,300 lb. |
| Medium-Soft | Soft (BR) | DIN 9 (~AGMA 9) | < 0.150 mm per meter | 0.06 mm | up to 3,400 lb. |
| Low | Induction-Hardened (BR) | DIN 10 (~AGMA 8) | < 0.200 mm per meter | 0.08 mm | up to 10,000 lb. |
* The rack and pinion backlash depends on the alignment of the rack to the linear guides.
Ultra-High Precision Rack & Pinion Drive Systems
For rack & pinion applications requiring ultra-precise positioning and repeatability, the system backlash can be eliminated by using two pinions – one to drive the axis and one to “preload” the axis to remove the backlash. Positioning accuracy is maintained during acceleration and deceleration, as well as during changes in direction of travel. We have several different different solutions to achieve a zero-backlash drive system:
Split-Pinions
The simplest zero-backlash drive system utilizes a split-pinion, which consists of two pinion halves and an axial spring pack. The pinion halves mesh with opposite tooth flanks on the same rack, eliminating the backlash.
One pinion half drives the axis while the second pinion half is “preloaded” to remove the backlash. The preload setting of the second pinion half is fully adjustable on the machine by turning the axial spring pack at the end of the pinion shaft.
The split-pinion shafts mount directly into our High-Torque (HT) & High-Performance (HP) Servo-Worm Reducers.
Dual-Pinion Electrical Preload
Another method to remove the backlash at the rack & pinion is to use two motor/reducer assemblies with dual pinions operating on the same rack in a master/slave setup.
One pinion drives the axis (the “master”) while the second pinion is “preloaded” to remove the backlash (the “slave”). The preload is created electronically with a special motor controller; these systems can also be set up to drive together during cycle times when backlash is not critical.
Dual-pinion gearboxes using only one motor are also possible, please consult the factory.
Our Automatic Lubrication Systems are highly recommended for use with these drives, providing continuous grease lubrication to the rack & pinion tooth flanks to preserve the quality and lifetime of the gearing.
These drives are perfect for precise positioning applications, such as traveling gantries and columns, milling machines, CNC routers and material feel axis drives. Two reducers/motors can also be used to eliminate the axis backlash by electrical preload.
High-Precision Rack & Pinion Drive Systems
These systems utilize our precision Planetary and Servo-Worm Reducers, which have backlash levels down to one arc-minute, to rigidly support and drive a hardened & ground pinion. The rack used in these systems is also hardened & ground.
These drives are perfect for a wide range of applications, including axis drives requiring precise positioning & repeatability, traveling gantries & columns, pick & place robots, CNC routers and material handling systems. Heavy loads and duty cycles can be easily handled with these drives.
Our Automatic Lubrication Systems are highly recommended for use with these drives, providing continuous grease lubrication to the rack & pinion tooth flanks to preserve the quality and lifetime of the gearing.
Medium-Precision Rack & Pinion Drive Systems
These systems utilize our our precision Planetary and Servo-Worm Reducers, to rigidly support and drive a hardened & ground pinion. The rack used in these systems is Quenched & Tempered, which has a quality level of DIN 8 (~AGMA 10) and through-hardened teeth.
These drives are perfect for a wide range of applications, including axis drives requiring precise positioning & repeatability, traveling gantries & columns, pick & place robots, CNC routers and material handling systems. Medium loads and duty cycles can be easily handled with these drives.
Our Automatic Lubrication Systems are highly recommended for use with these drives, providing continuous grease lubrication to the rack & pinion tooth flanks to preserve the quality and lifetime of the gearing
Medium-Soft Precision Rack & Pinion Drive Systems
These systems utilize our our precision Planetary and Servo-Worm Reducers, to rigidly support and drive a hardened & ground pinion. The rack used in these systems is Soft, which has a quality level of DIN 9 (~AGMA 9) and soft teeth.
These drives are perfect for a wide range of applications, including axis drives requiring good positioning & repeatability, traveling gantries & columns, pick & place robots, CNC routers and material handling systems. Light loads and duty cycles can be easily handled with these drives.
Our Automatic Lubrication Systems are highly recommended for use with these drives, providing continuous grease lubrication to the rack & pinion tooth flanks to preserve the quality and lifetime of the gearing.
Low-Precision Rack & Pinion Drive Systems
These systems utilize our our Planetary and Servo-Worm Reducers, to rigidly support and drive a hardened & ground pinion. The rack used in these systems is induction-hardened, which has a quality level of DIN 10 (~AGMA 8) and teeth hardened to 50 to 55 Rc.
These drives are perfect for a wide range of applications, including heavy axis drives with no accuracy requirements, traveling gantries & columns, pick & place robots, and material handling systems. Heavy loads and duty cycles can be easily handled with these drives.
Our Automatic Lubrication Systems are highly recommended for use with these drives, providing continuous grease lubrication to the rack & pinion tooth flanks to preserve the quality and lifetime of the gearing.
Operating Guide
