Aluminum, 3D-printing and Carbon CFRP for up to 90% weight reduction Used in thousands of applications: Franke Wire Race Bearings and Linear Systems The weight savings of 3D-printed bearing assemblies compared to a conventional steel bearing can be as much as 90%. If the use of different materials for the enclosing design with comparable bearing diameters already results in significant savings, the result is further improved by the use of 3D printed housing rings. Due to their characteristics and properties, Franke wire race bearings are predestined for lightweight design. Reduced to the essentials, they enable completely new designs of the bearings and the use of light materials for the housing parts. On the basis of state-of-the-art production technologies, light-weight bearings are created with substantial weight, energy and space savings with comparable stiffness and highest precision over the entire service life. Lightweight wire race bearings comparable bearing assembly made of Wire Race Bearings for Lightweight Design different materials and production processes. Aluminum, 3D-Printing and Carbon CFRP diameter 300 mm, identical load characteristic Steel Carbon (CFRP) • Hardened steel • High precision • High load capacity from all directions • Individualisation of wire profile, grinding, • ball diameter and material • Non-magnetic and stainless steel versions available • Lot size 1 to serial production • Diameter 80 - 300 mm (larger on request) • Fast availability Application examples for ultralight bearings Countless possibilities of construction The enclosing structure is freely designable, as are the materials used, such as aluminum, carbon fiber and plastic. • Mechanical engineering • Aviation • Robotics • Automotive • Medical technology Franke GmbH Obere Bahnstraße 64 73431 Aalen GERMANY Tel. +49 7361 920-0 Fax +49 7361 920-120 [email protected] www.franke-gmbh.com www.light-weight-bearings.com The core of lightweight: compact, precise and longlasting wire race bearings Great combination Depending on the requirements, either carbon fiber reinforced plastic constructions or 3D printers in aluminum are used . The most important component of these enclosing constructions are the extremely light and compact wire race bearings from Franke. These have the effect that the housing parts are not directly exposed to the loads on the rolling elements and therefore can be designed particularly thin. Due to the possibility of the free design of the enclosing construction, the weight can be reduced, which means that additional components are often eliminated and entir

Aluminium for the movies: highly dynamic camera gyroscope Optimization of design by FEM analysis and the test laboratory 3D-printed aluminum for aviation: rescue helicopter Carbon CFRP for robotics: service robot Configuration As specialists for special bearings, we are also able to meet extraordinary wishes in the field of wire race bearings. Together with you we develop the optimal solution for your application. We use a wide range of possibilities. Parameters such as load rating, stiffness, preload and rotational resistance can also be variably defined as height, width and drilling pattern...