On 7 Dec 2004 16:02:21 -0800, calmly ranted:

-snip-

George,

My name is Mike Quinn and I am the Marketing Director for LM76 Linear
Motion Bearings - www.lm76.com. LM76 invented the first drop-in
replacement for Thomson Ball Bushings in 1976. Our Minuteman Teflon
Composite linear motion bearings offer the highest load rating, highest
running speed and lowest coefficient of friction of any Teflon
Composite made today. Larry is quite correct in recommending a teflon
Composite for applications which require rapid oscillation. Thomson
Ball bushings fail because the balls do not get an opportunity to fully
recirculate - you end up using the same balls over and over again.
Also, the balls begin to rack leading to mechanical failure and
brinelling ( grooving of the shaft ). This was LM76's first application
in 76 and Thomson recommended us to their customer!

Hi, Mike.

I'm another Larry with another question about linear bearings.
I have a need for some in a (wood) dusty environment. Movement
will be slow (roughly 2-6" in 10-20 seconds, weight up to 100
pounds (split between the 4 bearings), and the shafts will probably
be 3/4". Do you have an inexpensive bearing for this application, or
would something like UHMW-PE work without too much wear? Rate will be
low, definitely under 800 cycles per day.


================================================== ========
CAUTION: Do not use remaining fingers as pushsticks!
================================================== ========
http://www.diversify.com Comprehensive Website Development