Frictional Characteristics of Machine Tool’s Slide Guides with Micro-grooves and Cavities

Abstract

Linear slide guides are useful for difficult-to-cut metals’ cutting. To realize a high-performance linear slide guide with lower friction coefficient and higher damping performance, the effects of micro-grooves and cavities formed on the contact surfaces were examined on the frictional characteristics. The experiments were done using some slide guide models at sliding velocities not more than 50 m/min. The model consisting of a slider with cavities and a hardened slide guide with a mirror-like sliding surface demonstrated the friction coefficient being about 0.02 at sliding velocities from 1 to 6 m/min under the slideway lubricant of VG32.