Linear motion systems selected for performance and aesthetics

PCS Instruments manufactures equipment for testing fuels and lubricants and its customers include all of the major oil companies as well as many national standards laboratories and test houses. As well as performing well, the company's products also look good. When specifying components for its tribology test equipment and laboratory instruments, PCS therefore needs to satisfy both performance and appearance criteria. For two of its popular models, this need is ably met by the IEF Werner domiLINE linear motion system from R. A. Rodriguez.

Formed by a group of research engineers from the Tribology Laboratory at Imperial College in London, PCS uses state-of-the-art computer control and measurement techniques, which allows for greater automation, more flexibility and lower operating costs. Its range of test equipment performs standard ISO, ASTM and CEC test procedures and other specialised research tasks.

The PCS Mini Traction Machine is a flexible general-purpose instrument for measuring the frictional properties of lubricated and unlubricated contacts under a wide range of rolling and sliding conditions. One of the main applications is the fully automated traction mapping of lubricants under conditions commonly found in internal combustion engines. The DomiLINE system is responsible for the linear motion and focus adjustment of the RGB colour camera and microscope system.

Staying focused

The DomiLINE also performs a similar role in PCS' EHL Ultra Thin Film Measurement System. This is a computer-controlled instrument for measuring the film thickness and traction coefficient of lubricants and is believed to be the only such system commercially available. The domiLINE assembly specified for this product focuses a spectrometer and monochrome camera.

Dr Matt Smeeth from PCS comments: "Standard, long axes lengths available in single- and multi-axis combinations and fine adjustment of 0.05mm were the main reasons for choice of domiLINE for these applications. It has contributed to the reliability and accuracy for which these products are world renowned. In all the years we have been using domiLINE it has not presented us with a single problem."

Manufactured from hard anodised aluminium and with a stainless steel option, the compact domiLINE system offers high load ratings, low play and easy motor assembly. It is specified for X-Y-Z applications across a range of sectors, from adjusting soldering heads to measuring optical fibres. Also available is a low-cost turntable for rotary motion that can be fitted with a digital display for NC positioning.