New linear guidance systems reach speeds of up to 10m/s and offer improved service life

In order to produce or assemble products faster, manufacturers require faster machines and highly automated production systems. Linear drive technologies, including linear motors and linear guidance systems, are therefore required that possess higher operating speeds and improved dynamics.

While there are linear guidance systems on the market today that are capable of reaching speeds of around eight metres per second by using hybrid ceramic rolling elements, the Schaeffler Group’s INA Linear Technology Division has developed a linear guide that operates on steel rolling elements, that is capable of reaching even higher speeds of up to 10m/s. No hybrid technology was used at all in the design of these new linear guides. What is more, compared to competing products on the market, Schaeffler’s new high-speed linear guides offer a 30% higher basic rating life.

The new ‘KUVE-B-HS’ high-speed version of Schaeffler’s
‘KUVE-B’ linear guidance range is a four-row, linear recirculating ball bearing and guideway assembly. The system was unveiled for the first time to visitors to the Schaeffler Group’s stand at the recent Hanover Fair exhibition in Germany. With such high speed and acceleration capabilities, the new guides offer machine builders and systems integrators faster throughput times and improved dynamics for their customers. The guides are ideal for highly automated production environments, semiconductor manufacturers and high-speed pick-and-place applications.

The fact that the new guides use steel rolling elements rather than ceramic balls means that load carrying capacity and rigidity are equivalent to standard full complement KUVE-B guides of the same size and variant.

The KUVE-B-HS guides are robust, reliable and safe. The guides run on Schaeffler’s standard ‘TKVD’ guideways and so are easily interchangeable with other guides. The units have a design envelope that corresponds to those specified in DIN 645. The guides are compact for screw mounting. Five variants of the KUVE25-B-HS are available now, with more versions in the development pipeline.

For more information or a free guide on Schaeffler’s KUVE-B-HS range of linear guides, please visit www.schaeffler.co.uk or telephone the marketing department on 0121 351 3833.