Four “Pluses” for the Profiled Guideways
Schneeberger’s high precision Monorail MR roller guideways are used for a broad range of applications including challenging metal cutting processes. The newest generation, the MR 4S series, introduces four major improvements relating to the distribution of lubricants, dirt resistance, shock resistance, and serviceability.
by Elena Magistretti
When it is a matter of achieving the highest accuracy in a small space, the Monorails are the best choice among Schneeberger’s portfolio of linear guides.
They ensure that linear movements are always performed at high speed and with great accuracy. The preferred areas of application include machine tool, medical devices as well as in the semiconductor industries and others. Eight rail widths and four carriage sizes are available.
The user has a choice of two accuracy and preload classes.
Roller guideways with application-oriented lubrication
The new MR 4S series of monorail roller guideways from Schneeberger features a use-oriented lubrication system supported by a wide range of different interfaces. In addition, the type and method of lubrication can be specifically assigned externally. The lubricators and front plate are seal-welded to form pressure-tight lubrication channels, which considerably improves lubrication when operating in idle.
To prevent the ingress of dirt and the loss of lubricant, the carriages are equipped with double-lipped wipers all around. The fixing of the double-lipped cross wiper mounted on the front plate has also been optimized in the new MR 4S series. These plates, in turn, are supported on both sides along the entire cross-section, which ensures reliable functionality even under extreme loads. In addition, the new version is especially easy to service: After first removing the steel front plate, the cross wipers can be exchanged by pulling them up and over the rail in an axial direction.
Shock resistance and long life
Another key feature of the MR 4S Monorail guideway are the shock resistant carriages. For example, the front plate is made from stainless steel. It covers a plastic front plate to provide additional protection against damage and contamination. Both plates are fastened to the body of the carriage using the same four screws. This improves stability and ensures continuously good running characteristics. To further improve reliability under heavy loads, even the heavily stressed carriage bodies have been optimized to counteract fatigue stress of notched parts that may occur.
A complete range of guides fulfilling any application requirement
The Monorail MR series is available in the sizes 25, 35, 45, 55 and 65 and the maximum length is 6000 mm (per single rail). The sixth size, the MR 100 is especially strong and is suitable for loads of 150 tons and more. It has a maximum single part length of 3000 mm. Greater travel distances can easily be achieved by linking a number of rail segments together. All Monorail MR sizes are similar in design. The body of the carriages and the rails are made of high-quality hardened steel. Specially shaped rollers are used as rolling elements which contribute to extreme rigidness and the high dynamic and static load carrying capacity. In the standard version, the carriages can be accelerated by up to 50 m/s2 during normal use and are designed for speeds of up to 3 m/s. Each size is available in a variety of accuracy classes – from G3 (standard), G2, and G1 to the high-precision class, G0. A wide range of accessories and options are available. Expanded operations in combination with the Schneeberger AMS distance measuring system have proven to be especially practical.