Trying to reverse engineer a piece of automation equipment for side work. My background is not automation, but I've figured most things out. These look like an off the shelf item, but I don't have a clue what they are called. Anyone have an idea?
Trying to reverse engineer a piece of automation equipment for side work. My background is not automation, but I've figured most things out. These look like an off the shelf item, but I don't have a clue what they are called. Anyone have an idea?
This it? - https://www.mcmaster.com/linear-bearings/air-slides-7/
If not maybe something else on this page - https://www.mcmaster.com/linear-bearings/
Linear actuator and air slides?
That is a linear bearing to keep the side loads off of the cylinder.
In reply to Toyman! :
That makes sense. However, nothing looks similar to what's pictured.
What does it do? Is that a pneumatically actuated piston that moves up and down in that block of steel?
lnlogauge said:In reply to Toyman! :
That makes sense. However, nothing looks similar to what's pictured.
Could that be a custom machined pillow block to accept a couple of linear bearings?
In reply to lnlogauge :
Edit: What Slippery said.
Most automation machines I have dealt with are custom built. You probably have a bearing like this pressed into a custom housing.
Looks like a linear bearing block. You might find it in the Festo or SMC catalog. Or if the cylinder has a name tag look in that catalog
In reply to Toyman! :
Well that's not the answer I wanted. I guess I'll have to do some disassembly. Thank you for the direction!!!!
On another note, there's something enjoyable with reverse engineering a chinese piece. Shoe on the other foot sorta thing.
Toyman! said:In reply to lnlogauge :
Most automation machines I have dealt with are custom built. You probably have a bearing like this pressed into a custom housing.
Just a note from my experience. That ball bearing style linear bearing requires a hard chromed shaft. Your standard 4140 ground and polished shaft won't last long with those
These nylon type linear bearings last much longer and wear the shaft far less, even in dirty environments. I used them in equipment installed on plywood composers and got years of use out of them when the ball bearing variety would dig grooves in the shafts within months.
Just our of curiosity, I did a little more digging and a Google image search.
Apparently what you are looking for is a Guided Air Cylinder.
They make a lot of them in many configurations.
There is also a Cylinder Guide that doesn't include the air cylinder.
that is perfect!!!! thank you!!!!!!!!!!!
In reply to lnlogauge :
It's definitely off the shelf. You need to look for a part identification on the cylinder and the slide. There are different standards, ISO, CNOMO, etc with different bolt patterns. Then there are multiple manufacturers with various options.
Brands:
SMC
Festo
Numatics/Aventics
Bosch Rexroth
... on and on
You'll need to log in to post.
