Adaptive profile rail guide

Motivation

The typical profile rail guide in machine tools is always faced with a conflict of objectives: low-wear operation on the one hand, or high precision due to high contact pressure on the other hand. Machine operators must determine a pressure level, i.e. a preload class, in advance. In day-to-day operations, too much pre-tensioning is usually used, which means that the machines wear out unnecessarily early.

Solution

The Fraunhofer IWU has developed a solution to this problem: the preload class can be set in a highly dynamic manner during operation using what is known as piezo actuators. For this purpose, the Fraunhofer researchers have attached additional actuators to the guide carriages, which control the contact pressure as required. The size and dimensions of the guide carriage were not changed for this. Existing machine tools can be retrofitted with this technology, i.e. being operated more economically.