Schaeffler’s new range of corrosion-resistant, miniature carriage units now incorporates ball flat cages and a positive cage control option, designed to eliminate cage creep.Targeted at the medical sector, robotics, laboratory equipment, electronics and clean room applications, this new range of corrosion-resistant miniature carriage units offers design engineers and machine builders a range of technical benefits, including high rigidity, smooth running and high guidance accuracy.
What sets the ‘KMWE’ units apart from other linear guideway units currently on the market, is the option to include positive cage control. For applications in which there is a risk of cage creep, certain sizes of the linear guides are available with positive control of the cage. Here, the raceways are synchronised by means of a U-section cage and a ball.
The guideway and carriage each have a guidance slot with a defined angle. As the ball is always located at the point of intersection of the guidance slots, the cage is guided in a very controlled manner. Because of this, units fitted with positive cage control have excellent running characteristics and are ideal for high, dynamic load applications. And compared to positive control mechanisms based on toothed rack designs, the smaller components also offer an excellent price-performance ratio.
The new linear guides are ready-to-fit, preloaded cage guidance systems for linear locating bearing supports with limited stroke. The basic design comprises a guideway with at least one carriage, single- or double-row cylindrical roller or ball flat type cages, as well as end pieces. All parts are manufactured from corrosion-resistant steel.
The units offer high load capacity and high rigidity. Preload and precision are selected in such a way that demanding customer requirements for smooth running and guidance accuracy can be met reliably. The units support loads from all directions (except the direction of motion) and moments about all axes.
The new ‘KMWE’ range of linear guideway units complements Schaeffler’s existing ‘RMWE’ range of linear guides, which use cylindrical roller flat cages. Both types of guide are now available with the non-slip cage, positive control option.