nexen PRECISION ROLLER PINION SYSTEM
Nexen offers an advanced new technology that revolutionises linear motion. The Roller Pinion System (RPS) provides zero backlash, very high positional accuracy, unlimited length, very high speeds, 99% efficiency, high rigidity, low noise, low maintenance, corrosion resistance, and long life. This opens up new design possibilities and provides the capability to achieve much higher levels of performance in machine designs.
Precision Operation Maintains Accurate Positioning
The RPS line features an innovative rack and roller pinion technology that provides extremely accurate positioning. This design eliminates the cumulative error and thermal expansion error problems experienced with ball screw systems. The Roller Pinion System also offers backlash-free performance in both directions by maintaining opposing contact with two or more teeth at all times. This design eliminates the costly and complex split and dual pinion systems required by most traditional rack and pinion systems to achieve zero backlash.
Patented Tooth Design Ensures Quiet Operation
The RPS line is designed with bearing supported rollers that move smoothly along the face of each tooth. This reduces noise levels often associated with other linear motion systems like tooth slap or ball return noise.
Segmented Rack Provides Easy Integration and Unlimited Travel
Nexen offers the rack in segmented lengths, making it easy to accommodate your application requirements. Supplied in meter and half meter increments, length can also be custom cut as required. The basic system is comprised of just two parts, a rack and roller, making it easy to adapt to any application.
Rugged Design Capable of High Speeds
The Roller Pinion System maintains accurate positioning at speeds as high as 11 m/sec (36.1 ft/sec). Even at these speeds, the extremely-low friction design does not create heat or wear on components.
THE NEXEN ADVANTAGE
Surpasses the Limitations of Other Linear Motion Products
The RPS’s unique design eliminates many of the limitations of current linear drive systems like:
- Ball Screws: Limited by critical speed, maximum speed, cumulative error, vibration, thermal expansion, supplemental cooling, noise, low efficiency, maintenance, and life.
- Traditional Rack and Pinion: Limited by low accuracy and speed, backlash, tooth fatigue, noise, high cost of dual and split pinion systems, high maintenance, and short life.
- Belt Drives: Limited by low accuracy, backlash, low load capacity, short lengths, belt stretch, and low rigidity.
- Linear Motors: Limited by low load capacity, high cost, strong magnetic fields, and liquid cooling.
Zero Backlash/High Precision
The RPS’s innovative meshing action provides backlash of less than 3.2 um [0.00013 in.] and due to the extremely precise manufacturing process provides positional accuracy up to ± 20 um [± 0.00079 in.]. Each tooth profile is precisely measured relative to the first to ensure that high positional accuracy is maintained and cumulative error is eliminated.
Unlimited Run Lengths Possible
The RPS system is modular in design with 1 meter and 1/2 meter segments that can be combined as needed to meet your application requirements. Segments can also be cut to shorter lengths as needed. This greatly improves stocking, availability, cost, and replaceability. Segments are joined with a special tool that uses the rack teeth to transfer the positional accuracy of the previous rack to the next.
Speed
The RPS system can achieve speeds, up to 11 m/sec (36.1 ft/sec), that can normally only be obtained by linear motors while providing high positional accuracy. Ball screws speed capabilities are much lower and diminish with length.
Noise
Due to the smooth, backlash free way that the roller engages the teeth the RPS system is very quiet with 62 db at low speeds and 75 Db at full speed. This is much lower than ball screws with their recirculating ball paths, and traditional rack and pinions with their tooth slap, and more like belt drives and linear motors..
Maintenance/Life
The RPS system has very low maintenance. Typically lubrication is required every 2 million pinion revolutions or 6 six months. In special applications, the RPS can be run lubrication free with a small sacrifice in life.
Surface Treatments
The RPS system is available with the Raydent surface treatment that provides stainless steel like performance without the high cost and low wear surface hardness. Raydent is not like typical blackening or other surface treatments that coat surfaces and rely on adhesion that can break down and flake off. Instead, Raydent is a cryogenic process that permeates the metal and permanently bonds with it forming an oxide ceramic surface layer 1 mm deep without adding any surface buildup. Raydent will not flake off and is highly resistant to acids, alkalies, and solvents. This surface treatment is standard on the Premium grade RPS and optional on the Standard grade RPS.
Grades
The RPS is available in two grades Standard and Premium. Both are zero backlash and share all of the same outstanding performance characteristics with the Premium Grade models offering the highest positional accuracy and Raydent coating at no extra cost.
Applications
Some of the applications the Nexen Roller Pinion System can be used for.
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