Zero Backlash Rack-and-Pinion

The Roller Pinion System from Nexen offers a zero-backlash solution for rack-and-pinion systems.

Unlike traditional spur gear rack-and-pinion systems, the roller pinion has roller bearings that allow it to roll along the toothed profile of the rack. Zero-backlash is acheived by the pinion maintaining two opposing points of contact with the rack at all times.

The unique roller pinion design allows speeds of up to 36ft/s with limited heat and component wear.

As well as straight racks for linear travel, circular-shaped ring-gear racks are available to provide circular motion.

High-Capacity Web Accumulators and Auto-Splicers

When your splice times are up to two minutes and you're running about 140 feet per minute of product, you'll need a web accumulator of about 300 feet.

A festoon web accumulator that has 10' of web between the upper and lower rollers would accumulate 20' per upper roll and would need to be 15 rolls long. A web accumulator of this size would require a footprint of at least 10' long by 15' high. Depending on space constraints, this can be a lot of real estate.

One solution to this is to use a high-capacity web accumulator. These have two sets of rollers at the top and at the bottom almost doubling the capacity of the accumulator. For an extra 30% investment you can almost double the capacity of your accumulator.

Another solution is to decrease your splice time. Splicers are available that can virtually eliminate the need for any accumulation. Although a more expensive solution, the space savings are quite significant.