Rapid Advance UniSlide Assemblies

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1 (800) 642-6446 or 1 (585) 657-6151 (in NYS)


	Model D, DE and DM

	Model GE and GM

	Model H1, H20, HE, HM


	Spec it, Price it

	With coarse leadscrew

	Load Capacity

Problem: you need long travel and you don't have the time and/or energy to do a lot of cranking. Choose from 3 solutions:

Choose a Rapid Advance UniSlide model. Read on
Choose regular UniSlide with a coarse lead screw
Motorize it

See how it
works.View a short Movie

Save your time and energy in repositioning with our unique Rapid Advance Feature. This feature is ideal for

long travel UniSlides,
medium travel units with fine pitch screws
any units that are frequently moved.

rapid advance dovetail slide
Photo 1

How they work. These units use a clutch-like design to uncouple the slider from the drive mechanism. Then you quickly push the slider to where you want it. Then, fine tune the position after re-engaging the drive screw.

Select a Series to see Rapid Advance features:
1.5" wide Series A15
2.5" wide Series A25
4" wide Series A40
6" wide Series A60

The Rapid Advance feature is not available in B90 Series.

DETAILS
There are three designs of Rapid Advance: Models D, G and Model H

Model D	Design
Mechanism	Mandrel (steel rod) with clamp
Looks like	Photo 2	Operation: Knob turns screw which moves mandrel back-and-forth for 0.56" fine motion control. SHOW ME: Watch a short movie now
	Pros	Cons
	-Less expensive than H design -Finer FINE Adjust (40 turns per inch) -Tolerates debris better than H design	Occasionally have to adjust relative position of screw in mandrel
Variations:	With Scale and Vernier: Models DE and DM
Measured Travel	Photo 3	Measures position to 0.001" or 0.05 mm

Model G	Design Tell me more about these models
Mechanism	Same as D:Mandrel (steel rod) with clamp
Looks like..	Photo 4	Operation: Turn Micrometer for fine adjustment over 1" or 25 mm segment of a variable range of travel.
	Pros	Cons
	-Measure travel to 0.001" or 0.01mm -Moveable zero or home reference point	Occasionally have to adjust relative position of Mic head

Model H	Lead screw with pinions (not visible)
Looks like...	Photo 5	Operation: Brass pinions rotate as you push the slider. Clamp pressure locks pinions in place for lead screw control. SHOW ME: Watch short movie now
	Pros	Cons
	-Can move full length of travel by just turning hand wheel.	More sensitive to debris Costs more than D style
Variations	with Scale and Vernier: Models HE and HM
Looks like...	photo 6	Measure position to 0.001" or 0.05 mm

Load Capacity

Because we have replaced the normal, threaded Delrin drive nut, load capacities are reduced from normal series load capacities.

Series	Horizontal	Vertical
A15	10 lbs.	2 lbs.
A25	25 lbs	7 lbs.
A40	50 lbs.	10 lbs.
A60	50 lbs	10 lbs.

Rapid Advance Modification

Photo 7 above

Long travel Series A15 Rapid Advance model with measured travel.
Customer requested a Rapid Advance Model D. They wanted to measure the travel but only needed a resolution of 1 mm. The solution is a metric lithographed scale graduated in 1 mm increments added to the standard Model D. Note the optional extra length slider with hash mark.

Screw Drive UniSlde with a coarse lead screw

Photo 8

Choose a 2.5, 5 or 10 pitch (turns per inch) lead screw. Not available in Series A15 (smallest) Series. Only the 10 pitch screw is self locking (will hold its position)

Advantages:
-Fast travel
-Less expensive, complex and higher load capacity than Rapid Advance UniSlides

Disadvantages:
-reduced sensitivity for tiny increments of motion
-2.5 or 5 pitch are not self-locking. Will fall if in a vertical position or move if thrust load is in direction of travel.

Choose a manual UniSlide

Choose to Motorize the Stage motor driven Stages
Photo 9

Advantages:
- Fast travel
- Automated. Can be programmed to do a wide variety of tasks

Disadvantages:
- Costs more
- Requires electricity
- Is a more complex solution

Go to: Examples of motorized stages or Introduction to motorized stages