Precision Gear Racks
Precision Gear Racks — Helical & Straight Tooth, Q4–Q11
Helical and straight tooth designs · DIN 3962 quality grades Q4–Q11 · Induction hardened / carburized / nitrided
Schneeberger provides complete gear rack solutions for long-stroke precision drives
Precision Gear Rack Core Advantages
From tooth profile design to material treatment, meeting all long-stroke drive requirements
Helical Design
Multiple teeth mesh simultaneously for smooth, low-noise transmission. High contact ratio makes it the preferred solution for high-speed and high-load applications in precision machine tools.
Straight Tooth Design
Simple structure with no axial thrust force. Easy to install with good cost-effectiveness, suitable for applications with less stringent noise requirements but needing straightforward drive solutions.
Q4 Highest Precision
Pitch error ≤ 0.006 mm/100 mm, conforming to DIN 3962 standard. For precision machine tools and measuring equipment requiring the highest positioning accuracy.
Multiple Hardening Options
Induction hardening (HRC 50–54), carburizing (HRC 58–62), nitriding, quenching & tempering — select the optimal hardening process for each application.
Stainless Steel Option
X90CrMoV18 through-hardened stainless steel racks with excellent corrosion resistance. For food processing, pharmaceutical, cleanroom and other demanding environments.
Precision Butt Joints
Beyond standard butt joint extensions, precision matching options synchronize pitch error correction on parallel axes, ensuring positioning consistency across the full travel of multi-axis systems.
MONORAIL BZ Integration
Integrated with the MONORAIL BZ linear guideway system, the rack mounts directly on the guideway base, sharing the same reference surface for guidance and drive — simplifying machine design.
Customization Capability
Modules up to m20, lengths up to 3000 mm. Special materials, surface treatments, non-standard tooth profiles — tailored to customer requirements.
3-Meter Single Piece Rack — Fewer Joints, Higher Precision
Less Joints. More Accuracy.
Traditional gear racks are limited by manufacturing length — a 3-meter travel requires splicing 2–3 short racks, with each joint introducing cumulative pitch error that affects positioning accuracy and service life.
SCHNEEBERGER single-piece 3-meter racks are integrally ground with no field alignment needed — faster installation, simpler maintenance.
Complete Gear Rack Product Line
From standard helical to stainless steel custom — covering all long-stroke drive needs
Helical Gear Racks — Smooth, Low-Noise Transmission
Helical Gear Racks, DIN 3962
The helical design ensures multiple teeth mesh simultaneously for smoother, quieter transmission than straight tooth racks. High contact ratio suits high-speed and heavy-load conditions. All grades conform to DIN 3962 quality standards.
Available with induction hardening (HRC 50–54) and carburizing (HRC 58–62) tooth surface hardening options. Standard modules m2–m12, helix angle 19°31'42".
Straight Tooth Gear Racks — Simple, Efficient Transmission
Straight Tooth Gear Racks, DIN 3962
Straight tooth design with no axial thrust force, simple structure and easy installation. Good cost-effectiveness for applications with less stringent noise requirements but needing reliable transmission. All grades conform to DIN 3962 quality standards.
Available with induction hardening and carburizing tooth surface options. Standard modules m2–m12, pressure angle 20°. Butt joint design for unlimited stroke extension.
Stainless Steel Gear Racks — For Corrosive Environments
Stainless Steel Gear Racks
Made from X90CrMoV18 stainless steel with through-hardening treatment. Excellent corrosion resistance for food processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, cleanroom and other environments with strict material requirements.
Available in both helical and straight tooth profiles. Q6 quality grade, modules m2–m5. Fine surface finish resistant to cleaning solutions and disinfectants.
Technical Documents
Gear Rack Technical Overview Stainless Helical Specs Stainless Straight Specs Rack PropertiesCustom Gear Racks — Tailored Solutions
Custom Gear Racks
Modules up to m20, single piece lengths up to 3000 mm. Special material selection, non-standard tooth profile design, custom surface treatments and special coatings to meet extreme operating conditions.
Full technical support from design consultation to finished product delivery. Integrated design with MONORAIL linear guideway systems for optimized guidance and drive.
Technical Documents
Gear Rack Technical Overview Custom Rack Specs Installation Guide Ordering InformationSeries Comparison
| Helical Racks | Straight Tooth Racks | Stainless Steel Racks | Custom Racks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tooth Profile | Helical (19°31'42") | Straight (20°) | Helical / Straight | As required |
| Quality Grade | Q4–Q11 | Q4–Q11 | Q6 | Q4–Q11 |
| Module | m2–m12 | m2–m12 | m2–m5 | m2–m20 |
| Transmission Noise | Low | Medium | Low / Medium | As designed |
| Transmission Smoothness | Excellent | Good | Excellent / Good | As designed |
| Corrosion Resistance | — | — | Excellent | Optional |
| Typical Applications | Precision machine tools, laser cutting | Automation, handling systems | Food, pharmaceutical, cleanroom | Extra-large / special conditions |
The Core of Long-Stroke Drives
From precision machining to heavy machinery — rack and pinion drives are the preferred solution for long-stroke linear motion
Large Machine Tools
- Gantry mills & large machining centers
- Heavy lathe feed axis drives
- Grinder long-stroke tables
- Five-face machining crossbeam travel
- Travel up to 40+ meters
Automation & Robotics
- Industrial robot linear 7th axis
- Automotive welding line robot transfer
- Automated assembly line long-stroke axes
- Pick & Place mechanisms
- Paired with MONORAIL guideway systems
Laser Cutting
- Large-format laser cutter X/Y axes
- High-speed reciprocating drives
- Plasma cutting equipment
- Waterjet cutting platform drives
- High-precision positioning, fast response
Special & Extreme Environments
- Wind turbine manufacturing
- Polar research expedition equipment
- Marine engineering & shipbuilding
- Mining & tunnel boring equipment
- Long service life in harsh environments
Warehousing & Logistics
- Shuttle car drive axes
- Automated storage/retrieval stackers
- Logistics sorting systems
- AGV auxiliary axes
- High-speed, high-frequency reciprocating
Heavy Machinery
- Extra-long stroke machining (40m+)
- Steel structure processing lines
- Shipbuilding gantry equipment
- Bridge construction machinery
- Large module m12–m20 drives
Also widely used in: large machine assembly, plant construction, packaging machinery, printing machinery and more
Technical Documentation Center
Complete product specifications, installation guides and quality standards
Product Specifications
Helical Series
Q4–Q11 quality grades, module m2–m12
Straight Tooth Series
Q4–Q11 quality grades, module m2–m12
Stainless Steel Series
X90CrMoV18 through-hardened, corrosion resistant
Custom Racks
Module m2–m20, special materials/coatings
Engineering Reference
Rack Properties
Tooth profile design, materials, hardening processes
Installation & Maintenance
Installation steps, butt joint alignment, lubrication maintenance
Ordering Information
Order codes, lead times, minimum order quantities
Quality Standards
DIN 3962 quality grade definitions & inspection
Need Gear Rack Drive Technical Support?
Complete product specifications, installation guides and quality standards — all available in the Tech Center.