Nook Industries offers miniature linear ball rails

Cleveland – Nook Industries, a provider of linear motion components and systems, has launched a miniature linear ball rail suitable for high-speed, belt-driven mechanisms and carrier designs as well as automation linkage between stations. Offered in three accuracy grades: precision, high, and normal, they offer maintenance and lubrication advantages.

The three classes allow customers to choose tolerances of dimension height and width, as well as variation for height and width of a different runner block on the same position of a rail. All classes use stainless steel processed materials and feature two rows of recirculating balls in a Nook-specific gothic profile. This provides for a 45° contact angle with greater surface contact at the same rail width, which achieves increased equal load capacity in all directions.

Maintenance is made easier through the use of several specially designed features. Low-friction end seals effectively restrict dust while stainless steel endcaps act as scrapers. A ball recirculation design, with hole and channel constructs fully sealed by a plastic frame and endcaps, reduces contact surface between steel ball and metal. This reduces noise and adds to lubrication efficiency, which can reduce preventative maintenance.

Injection holes on either end of the runner block deliver oil to the stainless steel balls which also lubricate the raceway, and an embedded lubrication pad also provides a selection of options for machine design.

Source: Nook Industries, Inc.