Precision Racks and Pinions

Over 50 years’ of experience in the design, manufacture and supply of round and rectangular rack.

A Complete Precision Rack and Pinions Range

A rack and pinion system gives the ability to transfer rotary to linear motion, with all the accuracy expected of a geared system.

The racks are manufactured from ground, hardened stainless steel or ground stainless steel and available with a choice of accuracies, pitches, and lengths, plus the facility to provide modifications such as flats, journals or custom ends. Hobbed stainless steel and brass racks are also available.  The rack pinions are plain or anti-backlash, also with a choice of accuracies, pitches, bore sizes, alternative materials and coatings.

Ground rack can be used for both measurement and actuation. In general the smaller pitches (1 mm) suit measurement as the smaller pinion diameter gives higher linear resolutions. The larger pitches (2 mm and 2.5 mm) allow for a higher load capacity. For most applications the rack can be used for both the feedback and the actuation; however in very precise applications it is best to us a non-drive section of the rack for feedback, alternatively a separate rack can be used. Hobbed rack are more suited to light actuation applications where cost is a key consideration.

We offer three types of rack – rectangular, solid round and tubular rack.  Rectangular rack are used when the application requires the rack to be stationary and the rack pinion provides the element of motion. Our rectangular racks are used with a motor, slide and carriage for example in the printing industry for the actuation of paper cutting knives in a printing press. Round rack are a more flexible alternative, with regard to mounting, used for example in XY stages. The tubular racks allow for the passage of fluids, fibre-optics, gasses etc, making them ideal for medical and scientific applications, such as laboratory automation pick and place mechanisms.

Catalogue Downloads

Download our catalogue for more information about racks and pinions or contact us.

For a fully integrated solution the Racktuator is a combined rack and intelligent motor  actuation system. Bringing together Reliance’s racks and Cool Muscle servo system, the Racktuator provides a very high level of control and accuracy in a compact, space saving package.
Rectangular Rack

Precision Rectangular Racks

Rectangular rack 1 mm to 2.5 mm circular pitch and 0.3 to 1.0 module, available in lengths up to 500 mm.

• Precision ground rack hardened – manufactured from grade 316 stainless steel, hardened to 34-45 HRc

• Precision hobbed rack soft – manufactured from grade 304 stainless steel

Tubular Rack

Precision Round Racks

Round racks are ideal for linear actuators in accurate automation applications such as X-Y tables, printers, lab automation equipment and robotics. Tubular racks are especially useful for medical and scientific applications, where the hollow shaft allows for the passage of fluids, fibre optics and gases. Available in lengths up to 500 mm.

• Precision ground round rack hardened – manufactured from grade 440C or X90CrMoV18 stainless steel, hardened to 55 HRc

• Precision ground tubular rack soft – manufactured from grade 316 stainless steel.

• Precision round hobbed rack soft – manufactured from grade 304 stainless steel

Racks Manufactured from Brass

Brass Rectangular Racks

Brass rectangular racks, ideal for lightly loaded applications, an economic balance of accuracy and load capacity against cost 0.3 to 0.8 module. Available in lengths up to 500 mm

• Hobbed rectangular rack – manufactured from grade CuZn39Pb3 brass.

Pinions, anti-backlash and plain

Precision Rack Pinions

Plain and anti-backlash pinions, plain hardened pinions, available with 6 mm and 10 mm bores.