Wheels and balls share the same rail
Bosch Rexroth has developed a range of cam roller runner blocks that can share the same rails as its eLine ball runner blocks. This gives users the choice of either using high-load-capacity, low-weight ball guides with a top speed of around 3m/s, or low-friction, low-noise cam roller guides which are capable of 12m/s – or both types of guide sharing the same rail.
The new guides’ aluminium bodies house two or four corrosion-resistant cam rollers with lubricated-for-life bearings. The blocks come in three sizes – 15, 20 or 25 – said to cover around 80% of automation and motion applications, other than machine tools. Unlike earlier cam roller guides, the new models need no pre-load adjustment.
The cam roller guides are said to be ideal for applications requiring rapid, smooth movement of light loads over long distances. The profiled eLine rails are available in one-piece lengths up to 4m.
The cam roller guides will cost about 30% less than standard ball rail systems.
