The Revolution Motion Control Needed

Volume VI, Issue 8, August 2025

Before the STUDROLLER revolution, linear crossed roller non-recirculating bearings, which float between rails, would drift (or creep) from center position.

As the roller cage crept away from center, it would begin to restrict the slide’s travel. This would happen over time and was even more prevalent when mounted vertically. Gear-based anti-creep mechanisms were created to counter this problem

However, the patented STUDROLLER ends this slippage and creates a smoother tracking motion than any of the gear-based anti-creep mechanisms in today’s market (see video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-s4X1oXbps). The device is also much quieter and more accurate. Keeping the rollers aligned along the center of the rail also maintains alignment of all the other components of the system. With the STUDROLLER approach, the number of effective rollers increases by 20% to 55%. Contact area between rollers and the raceway surface jumps by 42% to 58%, which lets the load rating increase by 140% to 230%. These design features lead to savings in cost and are more compact than other designs. They require much less space to mount the linear bearing within the application.

A rack-and-pinion anti-creep mechanism is an external attachment made of plastic or metal gears mounted on the guide’s rail and a metal gear mounted inside the rail (not shown in this rack-and-pinion figure), requiring components that add size and cost.

By placing studs in the center roller and machining a similar, dimpled path along the middle section of the track base, the NB STUDROLLER retainer will never slip.

Costs vary for crossed roller bearings with anti-creep devices depending on the devices’ complexity, as well as whether or not the application must be custom-designed and manufactured to accommodate them. On the other hand, The STUDROLLER with a resin cage—being the simplest non-slip design—is priced the same as a standard crossed roller slide way. This means that the user can get away with paying roughly half the cost of other anti-creep devices. Further, there are no redesign costs needed when you need to replace a standard slide way.

1.5" Double-Wide Linear Bearing

Can Carry A Ton

Because it has greater ball contact in its ground circular arches (tripling load capac- ity), the TOPBALL® line by NB Corporation can actually carry a load of up to one ton (2000 lbs). Having three times the conventional load capacity, TOPBALL products minimize space requirements.

The TOPBALL line is uniquely engineered to self-align. They have load plates whose ends are thinner than their centers - making the center a fulcrum for self-alignment. Each bearing’s load plate is precision-ground – not stamped – and checked for consistency when it’s manufactured. Because wiper seals on the

bearings are floating, they don’t restrict self-alignment and the floating load plate allows for ease of clearance adjustment.

In addition to conventionally sized, single width, block-housed bearings, NB offers a full line of double-wide block-housed TOPBALL units identified as TWA-WUU.

Unparalleled Variety Of Slide Bush Products

That Inspire Design Solutions

NB’s precision slide bushings are available as lightweight, standard, clearance adjustable and open with the highest quality wiper seals. And, NB’s round, square or two-side cut Flange Slide Bush line offers the best of both worlds - the benefits of a slide bush with the mounting ease of a flange. Choose from single, double-wide, or center mount. They are available in inch, Asian or European metric dimensions. The three shaft grades have diameters ranging from 3.175mm - 50.8mm; .125 - 2 inches. Slide bush lengths range from 12.7mm - 203.2mm; .5 - 8 inches.

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