Rockford, IL – Equipois, a mechanical design firm that provides ergonomic solutions, works tirelessly to reduce labor strain and improve efficiency in machine-tool applications. Their latest product, the zeroG™, allows for heavy machining tools (grinders, cutters, drills) to be suspended mid-air—providing easy access and operation while eliminating heavy-lifting! For one of their latest applications, Equipois approached PBC Linear for a complimentary linear guide system to the zeroG™ to be installed into a grinding work-area.

Successful linear guidance rested on two factors: ease of movement and load handling. The application required a linear system to support the wide working envelope of the grinding area. Fitted with the grinding tool, the zeroG™ weighs 100 lbs. The linear guide system needed to support the heavy moment load of the grinding arm while smoothly traveling along the guide rail at the hands of the operator.

Integral V™ Technology (IVT) was the solution. Introduced as the next generation linear guide, IVT is designed for heavy load support, precise guidance, and smooth travel. Each IVT linear guide aluminum extrusion is precision-machined using PBC Linear’s patent pending SIMO™ process. This creates a stronger, more rigid extrusion that matches the strength of steel—allowing IVT to easily handle high static/dynamic loads. The SIMO™ process machines all critical sides of an aluminum extrusion in one pass, creating a remarkably straight surface (tolerances held within ± .001’’). This eliminates the need for fasteners, and drastically reduces alignment/installation time while ensuring high accuracy.

Reduced costs and simplified assembly are very attractive reasons to choose IVT, but the proof lies in the performance. Equipois needed a guide system to support a high roll moment load (the zeroG suspends tools using an extendable/moveable arm attached to the linear guide). Once installed, the Integral V™ linear guide system easily tolerated the required static/dynamic loads (IVT Double Bolt-on tested for roll moment loads of 338 N-m static and 374 N-m dynamic). Gothic arch dual row bearings provided smooth, hand-operated travel of the linear guide; allowing the zeroG™ to be freely used throughout the grinding area.

Easily adapted into the Equipois system, IVT worked great with the zeroG™. The grinding tool operator could bend, pull, align and grind with ease, and IVT gave enhanced movement and freedom to the tooling area. For more information on Integral V™ Technology (IVT); such as more application examples and detailed technical data, please call 1.800.729.9085, email to [email protected] or visit us at our homepage at IVT.pbclinear.com.

For more information on Equipois zeroG™ or any other of their strain reducing, problem solving products, please visit their website at http://www.equipoisinc.com.

PBC Linear
www.PBCLinear.com

::Design World::

 

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Filed Under: Medical-device manufacture, LINEAR MOTION, Motion control • motor controls

 

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