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Basics of Design
ADVANCES IN SELF-ALIGNING
BUSHINGS INCREASE LOADS
BUT NOT SIZE
ADVANCES IN SELF-ALIGNING BUSHINGS INCREASE LOADS BUT NOT SIZE 2

Before getting directly into the specifications for the the necessary calculations before selecting a
TOPBALL Ultimate product line, it’s important to component, no matter what it is. For example,
know that these bushings always incorporate rolling- understanding that TOPBALL Ultimate provides
motion ball elements regardless if the final design uses high-load capabilities does not mean that
closed or open linear bushing or pillow block units. calculations are unnecessary. Cantilevered
This is only one aspects of the design that allows it loads, excessive vibration conditions, high-
to provide four times the load carrying capability of speed requirements, moment loads, and ultra-
standard components on the market. From early design heavy loads should still be taken seriously when
parameters to every manufacturing step along the way, performing load calculations and bearing lifetime
the TOPBALL Ultimate was made using high-quality calculations. Appropriate formulas can be found
materials measured to tight tolerances, in the micron online and in the manufacturer’s catalog so that
level, for superior operation and precision capabilities. users can be confident that their estimates for
bearing capabilities are accurate and suitable for
To allow adjustability between the ball elements and their application.
the shaft—to accommodate a variety of application
requirements—the linear bushing’s load plate is By considering a worst-case scenario during your
designed to float in the outer sleeve of the unit through load coefficient calculations, you’ll assure that
the use of a combination of a resin outer cylinder and situations such as excessive shock and vibration,
resin retainer. The plastic resin material of the outer emergency conditions, or catastrophic component
cylinder and retainer elements can hold a standard failures do not cause undue damage to your
lubrication within them, but the floating load plate equipment. This will help to avoid unsatisfactory
lubrication can easily move in and come out of the results from your unit throughout its lifespan.
assembly as well. Because the load plates are fabricated
from precision ground steel using tight tolerances, the
Through the use of a floating end seal, TOPBALL
manufacturer also has the option to reduce the number
Ultimate is able to self-align (Fig. 1). The end seal
of other steel parts being used, replacing them with
maintains equal and constant contact with the
plastic resin components depending on the application
shaft, so that dirt and debris can’t get into the
needs of the user. Overall, this approach has the effect
bearing—which happens even when there is a
of reducing the total material costs of the unit while
slight misalignment. Self-alignment also speeds
maintaining—and often increasing—the performance
up the manufacturing and assembly process,
levels beyond a standard design. leading to lower overall costs. A floating load plate,
as mentioned earlier, aids in helping to adjust
Key Design Elements misalignment as well. If the slide units and shaft-
End users should be aware that they need to rail accessories contain referenced edges, they help
understand their application’s needs and do to provide quick and accurate installation.

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ADVANCES IN SELF-ALIGNING BUSHINGS INCREASE LOADS BUT NOT SIZE 3

calculations to assure that estimates provide correct


sizing of the bearing.

Properly ordered and installed, these high-quality,


high-precision units provide 1.3 times the load ratings
and 2.2 times the travel life of the TOPBALL parent
product. The Ultimate can also carry four times the
load and has 64 times the life of conventional slide
bushings, which is the result of its newly designed
and optimized load plate, outer cylinder structure,
Figure 1: Note the floating seal and resin components
that make this unit unique.
and doubled number of ball circuits being used.

The seals built into the return cap of the bushings


don’t add to the overall length of the bushing, which
allows for a more compact design of the unit. Since
side seals are made of rubber and might add some
resistance to the motion of the unit, they can be left
out if the application requires frictionless bearing
movement. This approach, however, provides an
opening for dust and dirt to enter the bearing, which
must be considered prior to making the decision. Figure 2 Legend:
Floating load plate that adjusts for clearance
 reater ball contact in ground circular arch
G
The design of the TOPBALL Ultimate provides a major triples load capacity
benefit for some applications (Fig. 2). The open-type Floating raceway wiper seal for unrestricted self-alignment
 oad plate ends are thinner, making the center a fulcrum
L
linear bushings, closed-type linear bushings, and for self-alignment
Light-weight components for energy reduction
linear pillow blocks are suitable for miniaturized
 ach load plate is precision-ground (not stamped)
E
designs as well as high-speed application, and checked for consistency
Unibody construction for quieter operation
particularly systems operating at up to 3m/s (9.8 ft/s).
Although these slide units can operate at maximum
speeds of 5m/s (16.4 ft/s), doing so will most likely Application Considerations
decrease overall product life cycles due to wear on High-load-bearing products offer various mounting
the resin components. If the application does require methods dependent on the intended application.
speeds toward the maximum range, users should Strict tolerance requirements ensure hassle-free
add a load safety factor into their bearing lifetime implementation. Customers can choose a double

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ADVANCES IN SELF-ALIGNING BUSHINGS INCREASE LOADS BUT NOT SIZE 4

type bearing, an adjustable bearing, or an open- combined linear and rotational bearings such as
type bearing dependent on their application needs. slide rotary bush and ball spline are recommended.
That way the customer doesn’t have to worry about
the housing tolerance and can proceed with paying To assure long life for your bearing unit, as well
attention only to shaft tolerance. Manufacturers as accurate operation, it is best to lubricate your
usually have their recommended shaft tolerances bearing. Lubricating a bearing and shaft reduces
cataloged to fit their bearing offerings, such as ISO friction between components, minimizing wear-
h6 for metric type and ISO g6 for inch type. Always and-tear as well as heat buildup—all of which
be sure to refer to the manufacturer’s catalog for increases the life of the bearings. It is recommended
specific details. that lithium soap-based grease is used, while
special low-dust-generating grease is available
Some users require the high-load, long-lifetime, and for clean room applications. The recommended
high-speed capabilities available, which makes it re-lubrication period is about every six months or
difficult to incorporate the self-aligning features. 1000 km of travel distance under normal operating
This circumstance occurs whenever a design does conditions. Conditions with heavy contamination,
not allow for any tilting of the load element. In high temperature, or wash-down cycles require more
this case, the user can avoid the tilting problem frequent lubrication.
by incorporating two shafts with four bearings—
two on each shaft. When applying this type of To protect the unit against rust during shipment
design, the table is mounted on all four bearings and storage, the manufacturer provides pre-
to provide greater stability and accuracy. In this applied, anti-rust oil to the slide before packaging
case, both shafts must be aligned parallel to avoid it up. Therefore, users are required to apply grease
misalignment. Some manufacturers offer a straight prior to the installation or usage of the product. For
plate option for limited size units. users who require that the unit be shipped dry, the
manufacturer will seal the unit in special packaging
It is suggested that, for greatest performance of the to protect it.
bearing and the shaft, users keep the shaft surface
roughness to 0.4 or less, hardness to 58HRC and Conclusion
above, and tolerance that is relative to the bearing Self-aligning linear bushings can be designed
type and size. Choosing the shaft hardness of less into many different applications, such as factory
than 50HRC can damage the shaft as the bearing’s automation equipment, machine tools, industrial
ball elements grind across the shaft when an production machines, electrical equipment, and
excessive load is applied. Some units are designed optical and measuring instruments, along with
for linear motion only, so users should be aware not any other application that requires precision, light
to use them for rotational motion. Alternatives for weight, and low cost. Because components can be

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ADVANCES IN SELF-ALIGNING BUSHINGS INCREASE LOADS BUT NOT SIZE 5

manufactured in metric and imperial configurations, unibody construction and the result is low-noise
their breadth of use is wide. Designing with high- operation. Overall, high-load products can be ideal
load-capacity components minimizes the typical for new designs as well as for retrofitting. We suggest
need for increased space requirements for industrial that you find the right family of slide products as
automation equipment. Additional design features, total systems or as individual components such as
such as self-aligning load plates, floating wiper seals, slide bushings, housings, slide shafts, and supports—
and adjustable clearance provide reduced friction metric or inch—for your next project.
characteristics. Add to these features the use of a

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TopBallUltMachDzn.pdf 1 1/4/18 11:53 AM
ADVANCES IN SELF-ALIGNING BUSHINGS INCREASE LOADS BUT NOT SIZE 6

TOPBALL Ultimate
New, Unrivaled Self-Aligning Linear Ball Bushing
®

4 Times The Load


64 Times The Life*
• Optimized load plates and outer cylinder
plus more ball circuits.
• Improves performance of: Machinery
and equipment for automation,
optics and measuring. * Compared to
C

M conventional
ball bushing types
Y

CM

TOPBALL® Ultimate´s Advantages


MY

CY

CMY

K • Floating load plate adjusts clearance. • Our raceways are ground -


not stamped - affording
• Greater ball contact in ground precision tolerances.
circular arch triples load • Each load plate is
capacity. • Light weight
components for energy
• Floating raceway wiper seal reduction.
allows unrestricted
precision-ground
self-alignment.
and checked for consistency - unlike
• Load plate ends are thinner competitions’ stamped plates.
making center a fulcrum for
self-alignment. • Unibody construction for quieter operation.

Headquarters Western Regional Offices Eastern Regional Offices


Toll Free: (800) 521-2045 Toll Free: (888) 562-4175 Toll Free: (800) 981-8190

www.nbcorporation.com

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