LINEAR MOTION n Hardened steel strikes a better balance between cost, durability and performance, for a broader range of uses. Environments requiring high corrosion resistance or unique properties should consider stainless-steel or advanced coatings, which come at a higher cost. Maintenance-related decisions that can impact costs include load capacity versus size, where high-load-capability rails can handle heavier loads, but may be larger and need more expensive and frequent maintenance. Likewise, higher accuracy demands – especially in prole rails with balls and rollers needing high speed and precision, will also involve higher maintenance costs. Maintenance-related functions that impact costs include the addition of items such as wipers, scrapers, oil reservoirs, lube blocks, coatings, sealing and pre-loading. Whether OEMs build such functions into their products depends on their assessment of whether the market is demanding them. Depending on your location, applying standards strategically can help to reduce costs. There are, for example, established standards for linear motion technologies such as rolling guides, rails and ballscrews. Someone revising or rebuilding a machine in a region subject to standards that require higher tolerances, for example, may be able to cut costs signicantly by building in a location governed by more forgiving standards, especially if the standards call for higher tolerances than the application needs. Plant managers and supervisors can also help to contain costs by optimising human resources. The success of every factor discussed so far depends on the experience and talent of the individual that is implementing it. For example, inadequate surface preparation can reduce the value of anything running on it to zero. You need to decide whether to obtain those services inhouse, train teams that do not have them, or bring in outside specialists. This is even more complex and critical with the current skills shortages, where individuals may need to be trained in multiple tasks. When navigating the complex process of choosing prole rails, starting with a costeective, double-faced architecture can provide a practical baseline. From there, designers can explore more advanced options based on the needs of their application. By considering the broader spectrum of design trade-os, including material choices, maintenance functions, regulatory standards and training, designers can optimise their selections to balance upfront costs with running expenses. To help design engineers to make the right choices, some device vendors provide design resources, including application engineers who can assist in identifying optimal congurations. Some also oer online product selector tools, White Papers, Webinars and instructional videos. n How you specify precision linear guides can have a major impact on their initial and running costs Al v lways impro give y ving to more plu you us va wit LA ria th AR up to 120% higher th n flex PERFORMANCE O gths OF T ants, enables machine design h new motor sizes, active leng RGE PRODUCT RANGE ion. han previous gener + xibility. and winding rat TMB technology access is reduced with TM RS COST OF OWNER applications. ible for many MB+ making direct drive hig SHIP on controllers and to moti ETEL is 100% dedicated gh-end motion system products Our w ology. o direct drive techn provides a portfolio to meet yo ide range of linear and torque m ur needs. motors, position and ETEL Torque Motors ar HEIDENHA buted in the UK by re distri E T: 01444 2477 • AIN GB Limited sales@heidenhain.co.uk • 711 www.etel.ch
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