Misumi USA Engineering Blog

Customers often gets confused why some linear guides (including miniature) in our catalog are described as “interchangeable”.

In the Misumi catalog word “interchangeable” is used to describe linear guides whose components can be purchased separately. The catalog page for the interchangeable linear guide will show separate part number (price and days to ship) for the guide rail and guide block . Of course when ordering parts separately, customers need to specify the same size for both parts (rail and block) if they are to fit together.

E.g. Catalog page 305/2008 catalog.

SEBZ10- Interchangeable Miniature Linear Guides with Standard Block (shipped as a set)

SEBZ10-Guide Block for SEZB10 (can be purchase separately)

STZL10-Guide Rail for SEZB10 (can be purchase separately)

If customers buy two same (size) sets (1rail+1block) but later on decides that only one rail with two blocks is needed, he/she can simply remove a block from one rail and add it to a second rail.

If the linear guide is not interchangeable then this unit can be purchased only as a set and customers should not remove block(s) from the rail and mount them on the different rail as in previous example.

If shafts with g6 tolerance are used with linear ball bushings fit vary from clerance to transition fit with dominance of clerance fit. If shafts with h5 tolerance are used fit vary from clerance to transition fit also but with dominance of transition fit (light preload fit).

Low Temperature Black Chrome plating (LTBC) is a technology which uses an electrochemical reaction below 0º C. Through the plating process, an alloy-like diffusion layer is formed at the outer margin of the part, allowing chrome particles to completely integrate the base material and create an "inseparable" bond. This means the plating can neither be peeled off nor flaked off. The surface consists of a uniform film creating an extremely resistant rust protection layer. LTBC-plated shafts and components provide service life exceeding 10 years and, in some cases, up to 10 years and beyond is possible. Components with this plating have fracture-resistant surfaces with a high level of alternate-bending strength. The tolerances of the components remain practically unaffected. These components can be used in applications specifying corrosion resistance or minimal light reflection making LTBC suitable for use in optical applications where low light reflection is required.

Misumi offers low-temp, black chrome plating on a variety of the company’s motion components, including linear shaft, linear bushings, linear guides, ball screws and others. Other Misumi hardware is also offered with this coating, including precision-class washers.

We have been asked by several customers if this service is available in the US. Unfortunately we were not able to locate any US coating companies that provide this service. All our components that we offer with LTBC Plating are manufactured and coated in Japan.

Need more information about locating pins?

Check out the below link to the MISUMI VOICE Vol5. This issue features a technical article covering the various usages for locating pins:

http://www.misumiusa.com/globalvoice/volume5/article1a.aspx

The Linear Ball type stages use an integrated Gothic Arc design which provides high rigidity and precision, but uses fewer components and thus decreases the probability of alignment errors. It requires less space, and is more cost effective. It is made of stainless steel, which does makes it slightly heavier and gives it a metallic look.

The 2008 Metric Catalog features10 pages of NEW Linear Ball type products starting on page 935. 

Click here to visit page 935 in the online catalog.