Nexen Group, Inc. has introduced the UniTrax motor-ready linear axis, a configurable linear motion system designed to reduce the engineering, component selection, and installation work required of original equipment manufacturers, machine builders, and system integrators. The product is built on Nexen's industry-tested Roller Pinion System (RPS) and brings the primary linear motion components together in a single purpose-built system.
The launch matters because it addresses a persistent pain point in machine design: the time and expertise needed to specify, mount, and assemble separate linear motion components. According to Nexen, an initial voice-of-customer survey identified the need for a more complete system that would reduce the component sizing, mounting design, and assembly work normally completed by customers. Nexen estimates that UniTrax can save approximately 19 hours of labor compared with sizing individual components, designing mounting features, and separately assembling and installing the components.
UniTrax is now available in nominal 1-meter and 1.5-meter lengths, with custom lengths shorter than 1.5 meters available upon request. Customers can specify the axis length and planned gearhead, allowing Nexen to configure the system for specific applications. The axis includes the RPS drive system, guide rail, and carriage plate. The customer supplies the servo motor, gearhead if needed, and cable management system. For applications that require additional load support, the customer can add a second guide rail and a larger carriage plate.
The axis' clamp-collar design accepts shaft diameters of up to 22 mm, accommodating gearheads through the Stober P4 size as well as gearheads with smaller shafts. Built on the RPS, UniTrax delivers zero backlash, repeatability of plus or minus 20 micrometers, and positional accuracy up to plus or minus 80 micrometers in a fully supported top-mount configuration. It reaches speeds of up to 4 meters per second and provides an average thrust capacity of 1,000 newtons and a static thrust capacity of 2,000 newtons.
UniTrax can operate without lubrication at speeds of up to 1 meter per second, providing an advantage in both dirty and clean environments. Without exposed lubricant, debris is less likely to adhere to the drive system in dirty applications, and the system avoids introducing lubricant into clean environments. Unlike belt- and ball-screw-driven actuators that may face speed limitations as travel length increases, the RPS maintains high-speed capability over longer travel lengths.
"Customers wanted the performance of our Roller Pinion System without having to engineer and assemble every part of the axis themselves," said Craig Pellin, vice president of sales and marketing at Nexen Group. "UniTrax gives them a configurable axis that reduces integration work and helps them move more quickly toward a production-ready machine."
The axis can be used as a standalone axis, or it can be configured with a larger carriage plate. Potential applications include Cartesian robots, food-processing equipment, custom drilling and cutting systems, gantry routers, nondestructive testing and measurement systems, laser and plasma cutting, welding, woodworking, and multiheaded systems operating on a common axis. For machine builders, the reduction in integration labor could shorten development cycles and lower engineering costs, while end users in food processing and clean manufacturing may benefit from the lubrication-free operation.
More information about the UniTrax motor-ready linear axis is available at www.nexengroup.com/linear-motion-control/unitrax-motor-ready-linear-axis/. Nexen Group engineers and manufactures precision motion-control products for OEM machine designers, system integrators, and maintenance professionals. The company is headquartered in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota, and its website is www.nexengroup.com.
