A rack is generally used for converting rotational motion into linear motion. It is a flat bar onto which the teeth of a pinion gear are engaged. It is a kind of gear whose axis is at infinity. These gears are designed to accommodate a wide variety of applications.
Materials Used
A variety of materials are used keeping in mind the application. Some popularly used materials are :
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Plastic
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Brass
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Steel
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Cast Iron
These gears ensure quieter and smoother operation. The mechanism provides less backlash and greater steering feel.
Use of Rack Gear
The gear is commonly used in steering mechanism of cars. Other important applications of rack gears include :
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Construction equipment
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Machine tools
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Conveyors
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Material handling
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Roller feeds