Rack and pinions are used for lifting mechanisms (vertical movement), horizontal motion, positioning mechanisms, stoppers and also to let the synchronous rotation of several shafts generally industrial machinery. However, also, they are used in steering systems to improve the direction of cars. The characteristics of rack and pinion systems in steering are the following: simple structure, high rigidity, little and lightweight, and superb responsiveness. With this mechanism, the pinion, installed to the steering shaft, can be meshed with a steering rack to transmit rotary movement laterlly (transforming it to linear movement) to ensure that you can control the wheel. In addition, rack and pinions are utilized for various other purposes, such as toys and lateral slide gates.

As a mechanical element to transfer rotary into linear motion, gear racks are often in comparison to ball screws. There are advantages and disadvantages for using racks in place of ball screws. The benefits of a equipment rack are its mechanical simplicity, large load carrying capacity, no limit to the length, etc. One drawback though is the backlash. The benefits of a ball screw are the high precision and lower backlash while its shortcomings include the limit in length due to deflection.

There are applications where the gear rack is stationary, while the pinion traverses and others where in fact the pinion rotates upon a fixed axis as the gear rack moves. The previous is used broadly in conveying systems as the latter can be used in extrusion systems and lifting/lowering applications.

To provide many variants of rack and pinion, KHK has many types of equipment racks in stock. If the application requires a long length requiring multiple equipment racks in series, we have racks with the tooth forms properly configured at the ends. These are described as “equipment racks with machined ends”. Whenever a equipment rack is Spur Gear Rack created, the tooth cutting process and the heat treatment process could cause it to try & walk out true. We are able to control this with special presses & remedial processes.