Marldon Rolling Ring Traverse Units

The Principle

The Marldon rolling ring traverse unit converts rotary motion into linear travel. Rotating rolling ring bearings with a specially machined inner race, spring loaded against a smooth round shaft and maintained under constant pressure, convert the rotary motion of the shaft into linear movement at a rate that is proportional to the angular position of the rolling bearing set relative to the shaft axis. Picture A simple adjustment of this angle by a regulating mechanism allows a wide range of traversing speeds while the shaft speed remains constant.

The product is mainly used as a guiding mechanism for feeding linear material onto a rotating reel during the winding process, where one rotation of the reel requires a traverse movement equal to one diameter of the material being wound. The traverse shaft is driven by a toothed belt connection from the shaft supporting the reel, thus ensuring a constant relationship between the traversing speed and reel take-up speed. This is illustrated below

The unit is self reversing, so the direction of the shaft rotation does not need to be reversed to effect travel in the opposite direction. The place where reversal occurs is dictated by the position of stops adjacent to the shaft which reverse the angle of the bearing set on contact.

The Marldon traverse will operate in a horizontal, vertical or indeed any, plane.

Two Unique Features

The patented Marldon system has two unique features which overcome the inherent weaknesses in alternative suppliers' designs

• A solid one-piece housing with fixed, load carrying bushings fitting onto the shaft.
• A driving system independent of the housing.

The combination of these features acts to separate the two functions of a traverse unit, the functions of load bearing and driving. Consequently the performance of the Marldon traverse is not affected by external masses carried upon it as any loads are transmitted through the housing onto the load carrying bushes and hence onto the shaft, putting no stress on the internal rolling bearing mechanism. Consistent even performance is assured. (Competitors' designs must use the internal bearing mechanism to carry the unit - and externally imposed loads - leading to increased wear and variable, load-dependent, performance)

Additionally, and very importantly, the Marldon design means that the unit remains stable longitudinally. (Competing designs must "float" around the shaft leading to a rocking action which results in loss of precision and variation in side thrust.)

The Marldon traverse is the only unit with these features.

Technical Specifications / Instructions are available for download.