A 175-page reference guide to shaft guidance systems, including linear bearings, shaft support blocks, rail guidance units and housing units, is now available free of charge from Schaeffler UK.
As well as providing technical data on individual products, the Shaft Guidance Systems catalogue also includes useful information on load carrying capacities, friction, lubrication, design of bearing arrangements, operating clearances and the installation of shaft guidance systems.
Shaft guidance systems comprise shafts or shaft and support rail units combined with low-friction linear ball bearings or Schaeffler's Permaglide plain bearings. Shafts can be either solid or hollow, while shaft and support rail units are always solid. For easy mounting, the guidance systems are also available as complete linear bearing and housing units.
Linear bearings can support high radial loads, while having a relatively low mass, and enable the construction of linear guidance systems with 'unlimited' travel. Radial clearance can be adjusted on certain versions, which means users can implement clearance-free or preloaded guidance systems. Depending on the application, linear bearings are unsealed or fitted with contact seals on both sides.
With linear ball bearing housed units, the bearing is integrated in a strong, rigid housing, which comes in closed, open, slotted or tandem versions. These units are well suited to reduced-mass applications with high loads and where higher acceleration and travel speed are required.
For a free copy of the guide, or for more information on Schaeffler's complete range of shaft guidance systems, visit www.schaeffler.co.uk or telephone the marketing department on +44 (0)121 351 3833.