On a Bed-of-Nails lift table application, the question facing engineers was, “How much do you trust your linear bearing technology?” CW Shaw Inc, a designer and fabrication firm that specializes in bringing interactive, fun and educational museum exhibits to life was posed with this question. For linear ball-bearings, any slight contamination of the bearing cages can lead to breakage, stalling, or total machine failure, which results in a low rate of confidence when lying on a spiky table. After considering the design, load, environment, and necessary long-term operation, CW Shaw opted for Simplicity pillow block housings to guide the support rails on the Bed-of-Nails lift table for a museum exhibit.

To demonstrate the full effect of the exhibit, the lift table needed to be raised and lowered by 3-inches, handle loads up to 1,000 lb (for safety), and move at a moderate speed of 5-feet per minute. Potential contamination was a major factor CW Shaw considered. Any trace of dust or particulate posed a risk of system failure, raising safety concerns. Therefore, CW Shaw sought a linear motion system that would not fail under contamination (dust and carpet fibers). Since most museums operate on fixed budgets, CW Shaw also held maintenance-free operation as a crucial design prerequisite, which is why the company designers turned to Simplicity linear plain bearings and pillow block assemblies.

The Linear Pillow Block Solution

Simplicity products from PBC Linear became a proven solution when requiring maintenance-free, worry-free linear motion. Designed and refined for over 25 years, Simplicity technology has been successfully applied in some of the most extreme environments: temperature extremes, high contamination, and shock and vibration. The bearings travel using a proprietary Frelon liner which transfers the load and glides over dust and other particulate without damaging the shaft. Also, since the pillow blocks are precision designed with no rolling elements, Simplicity pillow block housings will never catastrophically fail, allowing for reliable and safe linear guidance of the support rails.

Two Simplicity pillow block assemblies were installed at each end of the lift table to support the load and guide the lift rails. CW Shaw noted no problems in performance and, over time, has implemented the design for several nail bed exhibits throughout the country.

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