Abstract
Use of linear air slides is increasing presently because their friction is low and motion straightness errors are small. But it is difficult to drive them without the influence resulting from driving mechanisms. A steel belt is often used for driving them owing to its inexpensiveness and mechanical simplicity. The goal of this report is to clarify how a steel belt driving mechanism for an air slide influences its motion accuracy. The driving mechanism delt with is a two-pulley system and the motion accuracy is considered in five directions such as vertical and horizontal positions, and pitch, yaw and roll angles. First the driving mechanism is removed from the slide and its free motion accuracy is measured as the standard accuracy. Then the motion accuracy is measured of the slide driven by the belt mechanism and change in the accuracy relative to the standard is checked. Experimental results show that the belt drive mechanism scarecely causes change in the accuracy whether or not misalignment of the belt exists, which agrees well with calculated results.
