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Application Stories for Linear Motion Products
Machine Maintenance and Tooling

Machine Maintenance and Tooling

Hevi-Rail in CNC Machine Application Story

Providing smooth, accurate motion in dirty environments

Rolling through a mucky, contaminated environment with incredible ease, PBC Linear’s Hevi-Rail® heavy-duty bearing system provided hand-operated linear motion guidance for periodic maintenance and cleaning on a CNC lathe. Cumbersome pumps and filtration systems were continually blocking the cleaning bin of the CNC lathe, and made cleaning the bin next to impossible. After installing Hevi-Rail, the filtration system could be moved with a light push, ensuring effective inspection, cleaning and maintenance.

Components:

Hevi-Rail

Retrofit or OEM:

OEM

Problem:

Cumbersome pumps and filtration systems can continually block the cleaning bins of the CNC lathes.

Solution:

Hevi-Rail makes moving the pump as easy as giving a light push, ensuring effective inspection, cleaning and maintenance.

The environment created by the lathe, pumps and filtration system was grimy and full of expelled metal particulate. The pumps and filtration system sit over the cleaning bin, blocking easy access. The system itself weighs up to 250 lbs, and needed to be moved without the constant help of machinery while still complying with OSHA and ergonomic requirements. To solve this, the lathe would require a guide rail system that could not only tolerate the weight of the filtration system and the harsh surroundings, but also be easily manipulated by maintenance personnel.

The PBC Linear solution

PBC Linear decided to implement their proven Hevi-Rail linear bearing guide system. Hevi-Rail® handles high axial and radial loads, up to 60 tons. Offering a lifetime of durability under continuous use, Hevi-Rail is designed for both linear and axial motion, and rolls easily over contaminants. Once installed, Hevi-Rail allowed for the pump and filtration system to be moved out of the way quickly and efficiently, thereby permitting periodic maintenance and cleaning.

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