A rack and pinion system is used to transform rotary motion into linear motion and vice versa. A round spur equipment, the pinion, meshes with a spur gear which has teeth occur a straight collection, the rack. Rack and pinion gears are used to convert rotation into linear motion. A perfect Spur Gear Rack example of this is the steering system on many cars. The tyre rotates a gear which engages the rack. As the gear turns, it slides the rack either to the proper or left, based on which way you change the wheel.
A rack and pinion program gives the capability to transfer rotary to linear motion, with all the precision expected of a geared system.

The racks are produced from ground, hardened stainless steel or ground stainless steel and available with a selection of accuracies, pitches, and lengths, plus the facility to provide modifications such as for example flats, journals or custom ends. Hobbed stainless steel and brass racks are also offered. The rack pinions are ordinary or anti-backlash, also with a selection of accuracies, pitches, bore sizes, alternative components and coatings.

Surface rack can be utilized for both measurement and actuation. In general small pitches (1 mm) suit measurement as the smaller pinion diameter provides higher linear resolutions. The larger pitches (2 mm and 2.5 mm) enable an increased load capacity. For most applications the rack can be used for both the feedback and the actuation; however in very specific applications it is best to us a non-drive portion of the rack for feedback, alternatively another rack may be used. Hobbed rack are more suited to light actuation applications where price is a key consideration.

We offer three types of rack – rectangular, solid round and tubular rack. Rectangular rack are utilized when the application needs the rack to end up being stationary and the rack pinion supplies the element of motion. Our rectangular racks are used in combination with a motor, slide and carriage for example in the printing industry for the actuation of paper cutting knives in a printing press. Circular rack are a more versatile alternative, with regard to mounting, used for example in XY phases. The tubular racks allow for the passage of fluids, fibre-optics, gasses etc, making them perfect for medical and scientific applications, such as laboratory automation pick and place mechanisms.
Round racks are well suited for linear actuators in accurate automation applications . Tubular racks are specially useful for medical and scientific applications, where the hollow shaft permits the passage of liquids, fibre optics and gases.