A rack and pinion system is used to transform rotary movement into linear motion and vice 
versa. A circular spur equipment, the pinion, meshes with a spur equipment which has teeth set in a straight series, the rack. Rack and pinion gears are accustomed to convert rotation into linear movement. A perfect example of this is actually the steering program on many vehicles. The steering wheel rotates a equipment which engages the rack. As the gear turns, it slides the rack either to the right or left, based on which way you change the wheel.
A rack and pinion program gives the ability to transfer rotary to linear movement, with all the accuracy expected of a geared program.
The racks are produced from ground, hardened stainless or ground stainless steel and available with a selection of accuracies, pitches, and lengths, in addition to the facility to provide modifications such as flats, journals or custom ends. Hobbed stainless steel and brass racks are also obtainable. The rack pinions are plain or anti-backlash, also with a choice of accuracies, pitches, bore sizes, alternative materials and coatings.
Surface rack can be utilized for both measurement and actuation. In general small pitches (1 mm) match 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 utilized for both the feedback and the actuation; yet, in very precise applications it is best to us a non-drive portion of the rack for feedback, alternatively another rack can be used. Hobbed rack are more suited to light actuation applications where price is an integral consideration.
You can expect three types of rack – rectangular, solid round and tubular rack. Rectangular rack are utilized when the application requires the rack to become stationary and the rack pinion supplies the element of movement. Our rectangular racks are used in combination with a motor, slide and carriage for instance in the printing industry for the actuation of paper reducing knives in a printing press. Circular rack certainly are a more flexible alternative, in regards to to mounting, utilized for instance in XY stages. The tubular racks enable the passage of liquids, fibre-optics, gasses etc, producing them ideal for medical and scientific applications, such as for example laboratory automation pick and place mechanisms.
Round racks are perfect for linear actuators in accurate automation applications . Tubular racks are specially Spur Gear Rack useful for medical and scientific applications, where the hollow shaft permits the passage of fluids, fibre optics and gases.