Still stronger steel shaft support blocks

"The strongest, most durable block you'll ever buy", asserts Jim Ashworth enthusiastically as he discusses the new Lee Controls steel shaft support blocks his company has introduced for linear motion bearing applications.

Typical product uses, he says, include machine ways, transfer equipment, pick and place equipment, physical fitness equipment, saws and routers, and many others.

According to Ashworth, the company's marketing vice president, shaft support blocks have traditionally been manufactured using aluminium or ductile iron.

Unfortunately, those materials have a tendency to become brittle, then crack and break, he says, resulting in frequent block replacements and stalled production.

With a stronger, more durable block called for, the company's research and development engineers determined steel was the material to consider.

The new Lee Controls SB series steel shaft support blocks are already bringing cheers from the company's distributors and customers.

Cast in 1045 steel, they are precision manufactured and machined to stringent tolerances and are "stronger and more durable than any material offered before", adds Ashworth.

Available in sizes to accommodate 0.5 to 2in diameter shafting, including the company's own celebrated 60 Plus precision case hardened and ground steel shafting, the new steel support blocks are claimed to have more holding strength, won't crack or break, and cost about half the price of similar shaft support blocks.

To ensure immediate delivery, the company maintains a complete inventory of its steel support blocks to accommodate seven different shaft diameters ranging from 0.5 to 2in.