Lightweight Linear Shafting and Support Rails

Light weight aluminum shafting is designed to be used with Simplicity FrelonGOLD® lined bearings and pillow blocks. It is NOT intended for use with linear ball bearings – the aluminum substrate will not hold up to ball bearings. Ideal for use in contaminated applications, the inch ceramic coated aluminum shafting offers excellent corrosion resistance and offers a weight savings for those applications where weight is an issue. 

The availability of solid round or pre-drilled versions in metric and inch sizing offers the designer flexibility. Custom end machining is also an option, as aluminum is easily machined. For ease of selecting machined features, PBC Linear is pleased to provide an online configurator.

The pre-drilled inch ceramic coated shafting can be mated to aluminum predrilled support rail for fully supported applications to handle heavy loads. Another alternative to the combination of pre-drilled shafting on support rails is the one-piece integrated shaft and support rail design that utilizes the light weight aluminum sometimes referred to as Feather Rail, or CCR in our catalog. The CCR is available in inch sizes only.

The integrity of the hard coat is demonstrated on a piece of equipment used in a trenching application with an environment that contianed dirt, dust, liquids, vibrations, etc. Extensive life testing was accomplished using a variety of contaminants, such as fly ash, grease, silicone spray lube, hydraulic oil, etc.The light weight aluminum hard-coated shaft was also tested and passed with flying colors.

During the operational testing of the machine, the operator inadvertently ran it into a post anchored in solid rock, bending the lightweight aluminum rail. However, upon inspection of the rail, the design engineer of the equipment was pleased to see that none of the ceramic coating flaked off the round raceway section, even in spots where the coating was damaged during installation. This testimonial serves to underscore the versatility and toughness of lightweight aluminum shaft and rail.