Solutions by Industries

Monorail linear guide for high-load applications

Blog Post

Now, Rollon offers monorail linear guides for high-load applications such as machine tools as well as printing and textile machinery, food processing and packaging equipment, and industrial automation for other demanding industries. This Rosa Sistemi MG Monorail line of products include rails, carriages, and internal bearing rollers engineered and constructed to maximize rigidity and resolve normal and moment loads in all directions.

 

 

Permitted accelerations are to 50 m/sec2 and speeds are to 3 m/sec. The carriage is constructed of hardened alloy steel; the linear guide rail of hardened steel; and the rollers contained within the carriage of hardened bearing steel. Engineered with finite-element methods, the roller ways are constructed with geometries to optimize load bearing for specific preloads to maximize load capacity, performance, and accuracy.

In fact, the carriages have four circuits of recirculating rollers  and are suitable for various arrangements on horizontal, vertical, and cross axes. These recirculating roller circuits impart high stiffness so essential to machine tool and similar applications.

Rosa Sistemi linear guides have stiffness values verified through testing that is repeated then averaged. Force is piezoelectrically measured between a hydraulic cylinder (applying force to the system) and the assembly plate to which the linear-guide carriage is fastened. With 0.1-µm resolution, an incremental optical linear encoder and strain gauges record deformation. The result is force versus stiffness charts plotting linear-guide behavior under compression and tension. Shown here is a stiffness chart for MG Monorail MG55LL linear guides:

 

 

Four accuracy classes (Q0, Q1, Q2, and Q3) let engineers specify the linear guide with tolerances suitable for the application. In addition, two different preloads let engineers increase the system stiffness in exchange for a slight decrease in service life:

  • Preload class P2 is 0.08 ·C where C is the dynamic load rating. P2 is typically specified where an axis needs high stiffness and is subject to moderately high loads and intermittent vibration.
  • Preload class P3 is 0.13 ·C — typically specified where an axis needs maximum stiffness but is subject to impact loading, vibration, and high loads and moments.

 

 

Rosa Sistemi MG Monorail completes both the horizontal and vertical axes on this grinding machine.

Besides their high stiffness, Rosa Sistemi MG Monorail also feature simplified lubrication of carriage roller ways through lubrication ports. In fact, to maximize design flexibility for machine builders, each carriage has four lubrication ports — one on each side and end. Lubrication input is controlled with check microvalves on both carriage sides to prevent backflow during linear-guide operation. No matter the linear-guide orientation, the system lets machine operators achieve optimal roller and way lubrication even while using modest quantities of oil or grease.

To complete this system, the heads of the carriage contain a gasket that seals the carriage and protects the ways. It is possible to apply additional wipers to reduce the risk of high contamination.

For more information, visit https://www.rollon.com/usa/en/family/linear-guides/mg-rail/and the myRollon page detailing the MG Monorail product.

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