Linear Bearings vs. Thunder Roller Bearings
Typical Exposed Linear Guide and Bearing
Many CO2 gantry lasers use linear guides which require periodic maintenance and lubrication.
Most are exposed like the image above and collect dirt and debris. Maintaining them can be fairly intensive depending on use and environment.
Unexposed Linear Guide and Bearing
Some lasers pack the linear guides in the cabinetry and inside the gantry (behind the belt) to help keep it clean.
This may sound like a good idea and extend the PM cycle, but it also adds complexity to the maintenance as you have to disassemble parts to be able to access them. And eventually you will have to maintain them.
Thunder Nova Laser Bearings and Guides
Thunder Nova series machines take a different approach. This type of system not exclusive to Thunder but takes years to fine tune and perfect, so we think Thunder does it best. And the historical data for bearing issues shows that we do. Bearing replacement is almost non-existent, even on 15 year old machines.
We use 12 sealed self-lubricating U-groove roller bearings in 3 sets that ride on steel rails that are pressed into the gantry. No maintenance or lubrication is necessary. If the bearings happen to need replacing, you can do it quickly and painlessly with no disassembly other than loosening the eccentric cams to release the tension and removing a shoulder bolt. you can replace all 12 bearings in less than 45 minutes typically with no realignment or adjustment needed after replacement in most cases.
We do show some lubrication of the steel rods the bearings run on, but that is to mitigate the possibility of oxidation where the 2 dissimilar metals are mated, not for lubrication in the traditional sense.
The only maintenance required is general cleaning to ensure the rails are free of debris. a dry microfiber cloth with a spritz of light or penetrating oil makes wiping the gantry down a piece of cake.
Here is more on our Nova bearings:
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