Rack and pinions are used for lifting mechanisms (vertical movement), horizontal motion, positioning mechanisms, stoppers and also to let the synchronous rotation of several shafts generally industrial machinery. On the other hand, they are also found in steering systems to improve the direction of cars. The features of rack and pinion systems in steering are the following: simple structure, high rigidity, small and lightweight, and exceptional responsiveness. With this system, the pinion, installed to the steering shaft, is definitely meshed with a steering rack to transmit rotary movement laterlly (transforming it to linear movement) to ensure that you can control the wheel. Furthermore, rack and pinions are utilized for several other purposes, such as playthings and lateral slide gates.

As a mechanical component to transfer rotary into linear motion, gear racks are often in comparison to ball screws. There are benefits and drawbacks for using racks in place of ball screws. The benefits of a gear rack are its mechanical simplicity, large load carrying capacity, no limit to the space, etc. One disadvantage though may be the backlash. The advantages of a ball screw are the high precision and lower backlash while its shortcomings are the limit in duration due to deflection.

There are applications where in fact the gear rack is stationary, as the pinion traverses and others where in fact the pinion rotates on a fixed axis as the gear rack moves. The Spur Gear Rack former is used broadly in conveying systems as the latter can be utilized in extrusion systems and lifting/lowering applications.

To provide many variations of rack and pinion, KHK has various kinds of gear racks in stock. If the application takes a long duration requiring multiple equipment racks in series, we’ve racks with the tooth forms properly configured at the ends. They are described as “equipment racks with machined ends”. When a equipment rack is produced, the tooth cutting procedure and the heat treatment process could cause it to try & go out of true. We are able to control this with unique presses & remedial processes.