How to make linear guide and ball screw suitable for different environments?

●Liquid Contamination

One of the best solutions for liquid contamination is to mount the linear guide or ball screw assembly in one direction to minimize the ability of the liquid to reach the linear guide and ball screw surface.Full contact seals and proper lubrication also help prevent raceway rusting on steel components.If contamination is unavoidable or highly corrosive,many plating and coatings can be applied to steel or aluminum to help these materials withstand various liquid contaminants.

Linear guide and ball screw for liquid environment

Solution Summary：
①Full-contact seals are used on linear guides and ball screws.

②Adjust system orientation to minimize liquid entry

③Use aluminum or stainless steel if possible

④Using plating or coating to withstand corrosive liquids

●Solid Particle

Solid particle pollution involves many types -- from large metal or wood chips to extremely fine glass or ceramic dust.Linear guide and ball screw manufacturers have mostly perfected seal and scraper designs to prevent solid contaminants from falling on bearing surfaces.

Metal and wood chips tend to be larger than glass or ceramic dust,but are still harmful to recirculating bearings.

Solution summary：
①Use scraper seals on linear guides

②Use full-contact seals on ball screws

●Extreme Temperatures

Temperature considerations include extremely high or low temperatures and large temperature fluctuations that the system may experience over a short period of time.Extreme temperatures tend to have the greatest impact on plastic components,such as ball screw seals and recirculation mechanisms.If temperatures exceed the upper or lower limits of standard plastic materials,most manufacturers offer alternative materials,such as Viton.Lubrication,especially grease,can also be affected by extreme temperatures.Temperatures above or below the lubrication rating can cause its ingredients(base oils,thickeners,and additives)to separate and reduce its effectiveness.Choosing a low viscosity lubricant will help reduce the heat generated by recirculating ball in the linear guide or ball screw.

The ball screw is installed under tension and has fixed bearings at both ends to help reduce thermal expansion.

In addition to temperature extremes,temperature fluctuations can be harmful in two ways.First, large or frequent temperature changes can cause condensation to form,which can lead to corrosion.Second,temperature fluctuations cause thermal expansion and contraction of steel and aluminum.This is particularly problematic for ball screw assemblies,where variations in ball screw length can negatively affect their lead accuracy.Forced air cooling on the ball screw is the simplest thermal expansion remedy,but a more reliable method is to provide internal cooling,or install the ball screw under tension.

Solution summary：
①Use plastics that can withstand extreme temperatures

②Ensure the rated temperature of lubrication(especially grease)

③Provides cooling for the ball screw assembly

④Install the ball screw assembly under tension

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