Don't fret – there is a solution
Don't fret – there is a solution
Keywords: Corrosion, Bearings
Fretting corrosion, caused by small movements under high loads, can be extremely difficult to model or simulate, as the test equipment imparting the necessary cyclical motion is, itself, prone to fretting corrosion.
Owing to a recent development by Anorad however, these problems have been consigned to history, due to the use of air bearings and process- optimised linear stages. The company has developed a two-axis system that can be used to simulate fretting corrosion in just a few days – a process that would normally take months.
Only moving within a 10mm by 10mm envelope, the system is supported on air bearings, as mechanical bearings would suffer fretting corrosion and, due to the kinematic requirements, the carriage has been optimised in terms of mass. Powered by one of Anorad's ironless linear motors, it includes an optical measuring system for precise position feedback (Plate 1).
Plate 1Anorad air bearings and process-optimised linear stages
Exerting a force of 60N, the system can generate 10μm cyclical motion with 50Hz and 100μm with 20Hz with straight and level motion to an accuracy of better than 1μm.
For more information contact: E-mail: aholmes@ra.rockwell.comor visit the web site: www.anorad.com
