Category Archives: Z Axis Stages

Motion Control – ZrO2 Zirconia Ceramic Radial Ball Bearings For High Loads available from LM76 are FDA/USDA/3A-Dairy Compliant!

November 12, 2021 Editor-Publisher

Motion Control – Zirconia Ceramic Radial Bearings

E. Longmeadow, MA — Motion Control – LM76 has announced the release of their new line of Radial Ball Bearings featuring ZrO2 (Zirconia) Ceramic balls. To Complement LM76’s broad range of Linear Bearings that are FDA/UDSA/3A Dairy compliant, as well as linear bearings for extreme environments; they have added Deep Groove bearings which accommodate radial and axial loads, Angular Contact bearings for simultaneously handling radial and axial loads, Spherical Bearings which are self aligning, and Thrust Bearings for high axial loads. Each of the four types of metric bearings are available in a wide range sizes.

The advantages of ZrO2 ceramic balls are: FDA/USDA/3A Dairy/Caustic washdown compliant, lighter than steel balls and can be used at extreme RPMs, they withstand higher loads without spalling, have a lower coefficient of friction, are inert to chemicals, have no magnetic signature, and are non conductive.

Motion Control -What To Consider When Specifying A Linear Slide

July 23, 2021 Editor-Publisher

Motion Control – Tutorial

Considerations when specifying a linear slide for a new or existing application.

By Mike Quinn • LM76

When a design engineer has fully defined a linear-motion application’s requirements regarding travel length, speed, force, and accuracy as well as repeatability, the next question to answer is this:

Does an off-the-shelf linear slide (or a stock linear slide from a catalog) fully satisfy the application?

Off-the-shelf linear slides are advantageous for their quick delivery and lower cost than that of custom components. No wonder most linear-motion designs do in fact employ off-the-shelf linear slides from various component and system suppliers.