Which Bearings Provide the Lowest Friction for a Scotch Yoke?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on selecting the optimal bearings for a scotch yoke mechanism designed to minimize friction and energy loss. Participants recommend using linear ball bearings due to their lower friction characteristics compared to slip bearings, especially under the specified load of 5-10 lbs and high operational speeds of over 1000 iterations per minute. Key manufacturers mentioned include THK and Igus, known for their high-quality linear bearing solutions. The angle of force application at 45 degrees is critical for ensuring efficient motion transfer and reducing wear on the bearings.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of linear bearing types, specifically ball bearings and slip bearings
  • Knowledge of scotch yoke mechanisms and their operational principles
  • Familiarity with load calculations and friction dynamics in mechanical systems
  • Basic skills in mechanical design and CAD software for creating sketches
NEXT STEPS
  • Research THK and Igus linear bearing specifications and performance metrics
  • Learn about the impact of bearing angle on friction and wear in mechanical systems
  • Explore CAD software techniques for designing scotch yoke mechanisms
  • Investigate lubrication options for linear bearings to enhance performance
USEFUL FOR

Mechanical engineers, product designers, and hobbyists interested in optimizing the performance of scotch yoke mechanisms through effective bearing selection.

Chris Hill
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I have been researching this topic for a while, and I wanted to get some feedback from people with more experience than myself.

I want to create a slider, suspended by linear bearings, that will act as a scotch yoke. I'm wondering what type of bearings will give me the lowest energy loss to friction.

There are a couple of elements in play here:
-The bearing will only be suspending 5-10lbs of weight.
-The force causing the slider to reciprocate will be applied at a 45 degree angle from the direction of the slider's motion.
-The machine will have many iterations per minute (~1000+), and therefore needs resilient bearings.

Do I use ball bearings or slip bearings? Is there a go-to manufacturer?
 
Do you have a sketch or something you can post to show what you mean by the 45* angle?
 

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