PBC Linear has provided a linear guide system to act as a mounting solution for Equipois's ZeroG4 arm in a grinding work cell. The ZeroG arm allows for heavy tools (grinders, torque wrenches and drills, for example) to be rendered weightless while providing a complete range of motion and eliminating heavy lifting. For Equipois, successful linear guidance rested on two factors: ease of movement and load handling.The application required a linear system to support the wide working envelope in the grinding area. Fitted with the grinding tool, the moment on the slide was 1,500in/lb and the ZeroG arm system weighed 30lb (14kg). The linear guide system supported both the heavy moment load of the grinding arm while smoothly travelling along the guide rail at the hands of the operator. Integral V Technology (IVT) was the solution for Equipois's mounting challenge.
Introduced as the next-generation linear guide, IVT is designed for heavy load support, precise guidance and smooth travel. Each IVT linear-guide aluminium extrusion is precision machined using PBC Linear's patent-pending Simo process. This creates a stronger, more rigid extrusion that matches the strength of steel, allowing IVT to handle high static/dynamic loads.
The Simo process machines all critical sides of an aluminium extrusion in one pass, creating a remarkably straight surface (tolerances held within +/-0.001in). This eliminates the need for fasteners and reduces alignment/installation time while ensuring accuracy. Equipois needed a guide system to support a high roll moment load; the ZeroG suspends tools using an extendable/moveable arm attached to the linear guide.
Once installed, the IVT linear guide system tolerated the required static/dynamic loads (IVT double bolt-on tested for roll moment loads of 338Nm static and 374Nm dynamic). Gothic-arch dual-row bearings provided the smooth, hand-operated travel of the linear guide, allowing the ZeroG to be freely used throughout the grinding area. The grinding-tool operator can bend, pull, align and grind using IVT.
