SKF System to eliminate “cage creep” in rail guides

A new SKF Anti-Creep System (ACS) to eliminate “cage creep” in cross-roller precision rail guides has been introduced with PEEK material as an option. The specialized plastic exhibits low outgassing properties ideal for X/Y positioning applications in vacuum or cleanroom settings.

The SKF ACS keeps cages within cross-roller precision rail guides from migrating, or “creeping,” which can cause rollers to skid and can increase system friction at the stroke limits.

Cages within these types of rail guides serve as roller-spacing components to prevent rubbing, friction, and drag. If they need to be re-centered due to their migration, a machine either has to be shut down for cage repositioning or otherwise equipped with larger (and more costly) motors to deliver the necessary power to reset the cage to the centered position.

The SKF ACS helps avoid these problems and associated costs by keeping cages reliably in position. The ACS utilizes a rack-and-pinion design to keep cages permanently centered and to prevent migration of a cage during normal operation. In systems with the ACS, cages need never be reset.

The ACS is an internal drop-in component able to fit within the design envelope of a standard cross-roller system for optimized use of space.

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