Composite slides offer the strength of steel
A
Micromech product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Oct 4, 2007
The rolling resistance of the composite slides is exceptionally low because of the significant reduction in moving mass and the precision finishing of the reference surfaces.
PM Bearings has released slides made from composite materials that consist of a matrix weave and a reinforcing weave of a carbon-fibre polymer that can achieve the stiffness and strength of steel but is even lighter than aluminium.
The slides are available from Micromech and solve a design problem where extremely high-performance is crucial.
The engineers at PM wanted to develop slides that were ultra-lightweight, ready-to-install and could match the specifications of the aluminium crossed roller slides while meeting the demands for higher dynamics, as required in high-speed component placements where mass and rigidity are ongoing issues.
Carbon fibres were used to achieve ultra-smooth motion and ultra-light linear slideways.
Tables are pre-lubricated with oil.
The rolling resistance of the composite slides is exceptionally low because of the significant reduction in moving mass and the precision finishing of the reference surfaces.
Carbon fibre offers about 55% lower mass compared to aluminium slides.
They fit in a much smaller envelope and require the use of smaller motors, contributing to machine savings.
In the event of horizontal fitting, the slides are supplied with a cost-effective, lightweight type AA steel cage.
Vertical models are supplied with a type DD brass cage to take up the higher load forces due to gravity.
To prevent anti-cage creep (ACC) in extreme or dynamic applications the slides can be delivered with an ACC solution that does not affect the rolling resistance or the accuracy, but increases the operational life.
The all metal design provides dependable service in the most demanding of applications where other designs that contain plastic components may fail.
Since all mounting surfaces and fitting edges of the lightweight slides are finished by precision grinding, the accuracy is equal to that of aluminium linear slides.
The low moving mass in combination with crossed roller ways offer excellent performance at higher accelerations up to 25G.
Their high stiffness results in excellent rigidity in all directions.
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