Rack and pinions are used for lifting mechanisms (vertical movement), horizontal motion, positioning mechanisms, stoppers and to let the synchronous rotation of many shafts in general industrial machinery. However, they are also found in steering systems to change the direction of vehicles. The characteristics of rack and pinion systems in steering are as follows: simple structure, high rigidity, little and lightweight, and excellent responsiveness. With this system, the pinion, mounted to the steering shaft, is definitely meshed with a steering rack to transmit rotary movement laterlly (transforming it to linear movement) so that you can control the wheel. In addition, rack and pinions are utilized for several other purposes, such as playthings and lateral slide gates.

As a mechanical element to transfer rotary into linear movement, gear racks are often in comparison to ball Spur Gear Rack screws. There are benefits and drawbacks for using racks in place of ball screws. The benefits of a equipment rack are its mechanical simplicity, huge load carrying capacity, no limit to the distance, etc. One drawback though is the backlash. The benefits of a ball screw are the high precision and lower backlash while its shortcomings include the limit in length due to deflection.

There are applications where the gear rack is stationary, as the pinion traverses and others where the pinion rotates upon a fixed axis as the gear rack moves. The previous is used broadly in conveying systems while the latter can be used in extrusion systems and lifting/lowering applications.

To provide many variants of rack and pinion, KHK has many types of equipment racks in stock. If the application requires a long length requiring multiple gear racks in series, we’ve racks with the tooth forms properly configured at the ends. These are described as “gear racks with machined ends”. When a equipment rack is created, the tooth cutting process 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.