A rack and pinion mechanism can be used to transform rotary movement into linear motion and vice versa. A circular spur equipment, the pinion, meshes with a spur gear which has teeth occur a straight range, the rack. Rack and pinion gears are used to convert rotation into linear motion. A perfect example of this is actually the steering system on many cars. The steering wheel rotates a equipment which engages the rack. As the gear turns, it slides the rack either to the right or left, based on which way you change the wheel.
A rack and pinion system gives the ability to transfer rotary to linear movement, with all the accuracy expected of a geared program.
The racks are manufactured from ground, Spur Gear Rack hardened stainless or ground stainless steel and available with a selection of accuracies, pitches, and lengths, plus the facility to provide modifications such as for example flats, journals or custom ends. Hobbed stainless steel and brass racks are also obtainable. The rack pinions are simple or anti-backlash, also with a choice of accuracies, pitches, bore sizes, alternative components and coatings.
Floor rack can be utilized for both measurement and actuation. In general small pitches (1 mm) match measurement as small pinion diameter provides higher linear resolutions. The bigger pitches (2 mm and 2.5 mm) enable a higher load capacity. For some applications the rack can be used for both the opinions and the actuation; yet, in very exact applications it is best to us a non-drive portion of the rack for opinions, alternatively another rack can be used. Hobbed rack are more suitable for light actuation applications where price is an integral consideration.
You can expect three types of rack – rectangular, solid round and tubular rack. Rectangular rack are utilized when the application needs the rack to end up being stationary and the rack pinion supplies the element of motion. Our rectangular racks are used with a electric motor, slide and carriage for instance in the printing market for the actuation of paper slicing knives in a printing press. Circular rack are a more versatile alternative, in regards to to mounting, used for example in XY phases. The tubular racks enable the passage of fluids, fibre-optics, gasses etc, making them perfect for medical and scientific applications, such as for example laboratory automation pick and place mechanisms.
Round racks are ideal for linear actuators in accurate automation applications . Tubular racks are specially useful 
for medical and scientific applications, where the hollow shaft allows for the passage of fluids, fibre optics and gases.