finance-worldwide

Advances In Technology Improve Rack And Pinion Performance And Positioning

By: Chris Muldowney

When an engineer needs to convert rotary motion to linear motion, or develop axes for machining operations, they often choose ball screw drive mechanisms such as electric lifting actuators and electric ball screw actuators. Coming in third are rack and pinion drives, which have largely been overlooked thanks to their reputation for outdated technology with limited positioning accuracy.

With recent improvements, however, engineers are beginning to reconsider rack and pinion systems, which can be used as electric lifting actuators. The new generation of rack and pinion systems feature advances in grinding mounting surfaces to tight tolerances, wear-resistant surface treatments, individually deburred gear teeth and compact low-mass designs; meaning they can offer high dynamic performance and unlimited travel distance. For precise and long travel, linear-motion applications, engineers may also consider rack and pinion drive packages from a planetary gearheads manufacturer, which can offer increased torque.

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