Linear axes can have a variety of bearing supports, ranging from simple, hydrodynamic linear plain bearing guides to hydrostatics, aerostatics and magnet technology all the way down to profiled rail linear guides. Profiled rail linear guides are the optimum solution for most applications when it comes to performance (rigidity, load capacity and dynamics) and mounting. High-precision machining applications primarily use hydrostatic bearing supports. There is no doubt that these bearing supports have the best damping characteristics for high dynamic rigidity and the highest possible precision. In the past, however, hydrostatic linear guides involved both design and economic disadvantages: larger design spaces, time-consuming mounting and high costs. INA’s linear technology experts have tackled this problem and worked with WZL Aachen to create an innovative design for standardized hydrostatic linear guides.
An EMO premiere. What is so special about this new design is the fact that a hydrostatic guide is manufactured to fit in the standardized design space DIN 645 of a profiled rail linear guide. The prototypes’ load carrying capacity corresponds to the load range of a profiled rail linear guide of the same size. The pocket geometry and hydraulic control system were adjusted so that the static rigidity of a profiled rail guide in pressure direction is reached. Another feature of the prototypes is the complete seals with oil backflow and an integrated hydraulic control system.
As a result of the compliance with the standardized design space and the incorporation of the same geometric mounting dimensions of the profiled rail linear guides, this design provides designers with greater freedom. To give just one example, they can use both roller guidance systems and hydrostatic guiding elements. This means that the same machine design can be used for a variety of performance classes of machine tools.
“This design has obvious customer benefits. We offer customers a hydrostatic compact guide as a standardized design component for high-end solutions in high-precision machining. They combine the positive mounting characteristics of profiled rail linear guides with the excellent damping characteristics of hydrostatics,” says Ralf Moseberg, manager of the profiled rail linear guide product line.
INA-Schaeffler KG will work closely with its customers to prepare the design for volume production.
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