NSK Ltd. has developed and released the NSK V1 Series Linear Guide for contaminated environments.

Linear guides are used in various manufacturing equipment applications where they are heavily exposed to contamination and debris from processed metal, graphite, ceramics, rubber, sawdust, weld slag, and others. Under such harsh operating conditions, contaminants invade the linear guide interior and cause abnormal wear of the rolling surface or balls, or hamper smooth ball movement in the recirculation circuit leading to early failure of the linear guide.

The use of bellows to prevent contamination has been ineffective where very minute particles can drift past the barrier or where the debris is so large and heavy that the bellow cover proves impractical. Furthermore, not all applications are compatible with installation of a bellow cover due to equipment configuration or space limitations.

NSK rose to this challenge by designing a linear guide that is capable of withstanding varying degrees of particle and debris contamination with the V1 Series. This linear guide series offers significantly higher resistance to fine particles and debris and achieves long life under contaminated operating conditions.

Typical applications include machine tools, laser equipment, graphite processing machines, tire buffers, wood working equipment, punch presses, welding lines, transfer equipment, and more.