Managing Linear System Misalignment
Linear misalignment is a fact of life.
- Misalignment represents one of the leading causes of premature linear guidance failure.
- Misalignment can greatly reduce a products capability and expected life.
- Design needs to understand the process requirements of the application to select the appropriate product.
- And design needs to understand which linear product will provide acceptable process guidance.
Mounting preparation must be taken into consideration to assure performance.
Consideration for the rail mounting surface must always be addressed
- Uneven mounting surfaces like welded frames, structural materials, etc. need extra clearance or ability to float to overcome alignment issues.
- Higher accuracy requires less allowable deviation between rails and precision mounting surfaces are needed
Built in Systematic Alignment
PBC Linear offers products that can simplify system alignment, offering integrated products that incorporate built in alignment.
Built in Alignment
- Can simplify engineering design considerations.
- Reduces material costs.
- Reduces assembly times and costs.
- Can lead to an overall reduction of system costs.
Products with built in alignment:
Gliding Surface Technology – GST Products
Cam Roller Technology – CRT Products
Integral “V” Technology – IVT Products
Signs of Bad Alignment
Plain Bearing – Uneven Bearing Liner Wear
Ball Bearing – Shaft Spalling
Alignment Issues can lead to:
- Systematic failures.
- Premature wear of bearings and rail.
- Misdiagnosis of inappropriate product selection, when in fact it is an alignment issue.
- Production down time costs.
- Replacement of componentry due to component failure.
- Shortened component “life” due to premature failure.
- Replacement of componentry thinking a more expensive “precise” solution is needed.
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