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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
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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
®
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ball bushing types
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CM
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CMY
www.nbcorporation.com
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