Rack and pinions are used for lifting mechanisms (vertical movement), horizontal movement, positioning mechanisms, stoppers and to permit the synchronous rotation of several shafts generally industrial machinery. On the other hand, also, they are found in steering systems to improve the direction of vehicles. The features of rack and pinion systems in steering are as follows: simple framework, high rigidity, little and lightweight, and exceptional responsiveness. With this mechanism, the pinion, installed to the steering shaft, is definitely meshed with a steering rack to transmit rotary movement laterlly (converting it to linear movement) to ensure that you can control the wheel. Furthermore, rack and pinions are utilized for various other purposes, such as toys and lateral slide gates.

As a mechanical component to transfer rotary into linear motion, gear racks tend to be in comparison to ball screws. There are pros and cons for using racks in place of ball screws. The advantages of a equipment rack are its mechanical simplicity, huge load carrying capacity, and no limit to the length, etc. One disadvantage though may be the backlash. The benefits of a ball screw are the high precision and lower backlash while its shortcomings include the limit in duration due to deflection.

There are applications where in fact the gear rack is stationary, while the pinion traverses and others where in fact the pinion rotates upon a fixed axis as the gear rack moves. The former is used broadly in conveying systems as the latter can be utilized in extrusion systems and lifting/lowering applications.

To provide many variations of rack and pinion, KHK has various kinds of equipment racks in stock. If the application requires a long duration requiring multiple equipment racks in series, we have racks with the tooth forms correctly configured at the ends. These are described as “equipment racks with machined ends”. Whenever a equipment rack is created, the tooth cutting procedure and heat Spur Gear Rack treatment process could cause it to try & walk out true. We can control this with unique presses & remedial processes.