Engineers opt for systems, motion supplier saysEngineers opt for systems, motion supplier says

Pittsburg, CA -"As companies continue to downsize, we are seeing an increase in the number of engineers who prefer linear motion systems to components," says Chris Rees of HEPCO Slide Systems Ltd. (Devon, England). "Four years ago, maybe 10% of our sales orders were for systems and the remainder were for components. Today, it's more like 30% and it's continuing to grow."

To meet demand for linear motion systems, HEPCO is partnering with Bishop Wisecarver Corp. to provide a wide range of linear motion systems. The combined product line includes carriages, slides, bearings, tracks, rollers, pinions, belts, pulleys, racks, and other linear motion products. Engineers mix and match what they need for their designs and the companies provide a complete system.

"Many engineers just don't have the time to piece together components. They are looking for ways to save time," says Rees. The company now makes available a new group of products such as the GV3 system, which combines HEPCO's GV3 bearing principle with a choice of slide systems. Engineers choose from numerous grades of slides, types of bearing assemblies, methods of lubrication, and combine them with one of several types of carriage assemblies.

The GV3 line includes 100 different slides. P1 slides are precision ground on V surfaces and mounting faces. P2 slides are ground on V faces and slide registers. P3 slides are unground. All slides have corrosion-inhibiting finish.