Motion Guide Device Metal FRP Hybrid Track
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional motion guide devices, despite using lightweight metal alloys, fail to fully meet weight reduction requirements and struggle with abrasion resistance when using FRP materials, limiting their applicability to non-linear guide rail shapes and devices.
Innovation Solution
A motion guide device design where the rolling surface is formed of metal material and the rest is made of FRP, with specific thickness and material combinations (CFRP, GFRP, KFRP) ensuring strength and rigidity, and joined using bonding or bolt methods, maintaining a balance between weight reduction and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal materials are used for the entire motion guide device, then abrasion resistance is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The track member is constructed with different materials in different regions: the rolling surface contact portion is made of metal material for high abrasion resistance, while the other portions are made of FRP for lightweight. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying metal only where abrasion resistance is critical rather than throughout the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The motion guide device uses a composite structure combining metal material and FRP (fiber reinforced plastic) in a single track member. The metal rolling surface portion provides wear resistance where needed, while the FRP portions reduce overall weight, achieving both abrasion resistance and lightweight simultaneously.
2Weight of moving object
If FRP is used for the entire motion guide device, then weight is reduced, but abrasion resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The track member is constructed with different materials in different regions: the rolling surface contact portion is made of metal material for high abrasion resistance, while the other portions are made of FRP for lightweight. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying metal only where abrasion resistance is critical rather than throughout the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The motion guide device uses a composite structure combining metal material and FRP (fiber reinforced plastic) in a single track member. The metal rolling surface portion provides wear resistance where needed, while the FRP portions reduce overall weight, achieving both abrasion resistance and lightweight simultaneously.
3Reliability
If metal material is used for the rolling surface portion, then abrasion resistance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The track member is divided into distinct portions: a metal material rolling surface portion and FRP other portions. This segmentation allows each portion to be manufactured separately using appropriate processes (metal forming for the rolling surface, FRP molding for other portions) and then joined together, making the complex composite structure manufacturable through standardized processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The motion guide device uses a composite structure combining metal material and FRP (fiber reinforced plastic) in a single track member. The metal rolling surface portion provides wear resistance where needed, while the FRP portions reduce overall weight, achieving both abrasion resistance and lightweight simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
A motion guide device 10 includes a track rail 11 as a track member and a movable member 13 mounted to the track rail 11 via a plurality of balls 12. The plural balls 12 of the motion guide device 10 are disposed in an endless circulation passage 20 composed of a loaded rolling passage 15 formed between the track rail 11 and the movable member 13, and a non-loaded rolling passage formed to the movable member 13 so as to connect one and another ends of the loaded rolling passage 15. A portion of the track rail 11 or movable member 13 in the vicinity of the rolling member rolling surface thereof contacting to the plural balls 12 is formed of a metal material, and the other portion thereof is formed of an FRP. According to such structure, there can be provided a motion guide device 10 having a high strength and a high rigidity as well as a reduced weight.