JPWO2006112213A1 - Motion guide device using austenitic metal and method for manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The motion guide device includes a track member, and a moving member that is installed on the track member via a plurality of rolling elements and that can be reciprocated or rotated in the axial direction or the circumferential direction of the track member. In the raceway member or the moving member, at least the rolling element rolling contact surface in contact with a plurality of rolling elements is composed of an austenitic metal, and the austenitic metal is subjected to a carbon solid solution diffusion treatment and has a carbon solid solution in the vicinity of the surface. After the solubilized layer is formed (step S13), it is molded into a predetermined shape by machining (step S14 to step S19). An austenitic stainless steel containing at least one of SUS304 and SUS316 can be adopted as the austenitic metal. Thereby, the motion guide apparatus using the austenitic metal which implement | achieves corrosion resistance, high hardness, and a highly accurate product dimension, and its manufacturing method can be provided.

Description

  The present invention relates to a motion guide device using an austenitic metal and a method for manufacturing the same, and more particularly to a technique for improving product quality by improving the manufacturing process of the motion guide device.

  Conventionally, in motion guide devices such as linear guides, linear guide devices, ball spline devices, ball screw devices, etc., the members constituting such devices are repeatedly accompanied by rolling and sliding operations. Generally, high-hardness metal materials such as high carbon chromium bearing steel, stainless steel, and case-hardened steel are employed.

  On the other hand, due to the recent demand for expansion of the application range of motion guidance devices, opportunities to use motion guidance devices in corrosive environments such as liquid crystal / semiconductor manufacturing equipment, food machinery, and mechanical devices used in the medical field, etc. Has increased. However, in the motion guide device used in such a corrosive environment, if bearing steel or the like is used as the constituent material, it may rust early and end in a short life. Therefore, a material having good corrosion resistance such as stainless steel is used as a constituent material when corrosion resistance and chemical resistance are required.

  For example, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for improving durability such as wear resistance and life, which has been a problem when using austenitic stainless steel excellent in corrosion resistance for a motion guide device. Yes. Specifically, first, a material made of austenitic stainless steel is plastically processed into a predetermined shape, and then the carburized treatment with fluorination treatment is performed on the molded product, thereby forming a carburized hardened layer on the surface of the molded product. The method of forming is adopted. According to the following Patent Document 1, by adopting such a method, it is possible to produce an austenitic stainless steel having both high surface hardness and corrosion resistance, which has not been obtained in the past. It is said that a highly corrosion-resistant motion guide device capable of maintaining a hardened surface layer over a long period of time and thus achieving a long life can be supplied at low cost.

JP 2001-271834 A

  However, since the method described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 is a method in which a material is first plastically processed into a predetermined shape, and then the molded product is subjected to a carburizing process involving a fluorination process. In the case of a motion guide device that is difficult to suppress and requires high-precision product dimensions, there has been a problem that post-processing such as polishing is required after carburizing treatment. The existence of such a post-processing step causes an increase in manufacturing cost, and has been a factor that makes it difficult to supply an inexpensive motion guide apparatus as described in Patent Document 1.

Further, in the case of a motion guide device that does not require high-precision product dimensions, the above-described post-processing steps can be omitted, but the surface of the molded product after the carburizing treatment has a black color made of Fe ₃ O _4. Therefore, pickling treatment is generally performed after carburizing treatment from the viewpoint of maintaining corrosion resistance and appearance. However, since the surface of the molded article after pickling treatment deteriorates in surface roughness as compared with the surface after plastic working, the above-mentioned patent is provided for the motion guide device in which the rolling element repeatedly rolls and slides. The method described in Document 1 does not sufficiently meet the demands for smooth guide motion and long life.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a motion guide device using an austenitic metal that achieves corrosion resistance, high hardness, and high-precision product dimensions, and a method for manufacturing the same. It is what.

  A motion guide device using an austenitic metal according to the present invention is installed on a raceway member, a plurality of rolling elements on the raceway member, and is freely reciprocating or rotating in an axial direction or a circumferential direction of the raceway member. A moving member installed movably, and the track member or the moving member is formed of an austenitic metal at least near a rolling element rolling surface in contact with the plurality of rolling elements, the austenitic metal, A carbon solid solution layer is formed in the vicinity of the surface after being subjected to a carbon solid solution diffusion treatment, and is then machined into a predetermined shape and molded.

  In the motion guide apparatus using the austenitic metal according to the present invention, the austenitic metal may be austenitic stainless steel.

  Further, in the motion guide apparatus using the austenitic metal according to the present invention, the Vickers hardness HV of the surface of the carbon solution layer after the austenitic metal is subjected to machining is in the range of 650 to 900. Is preferred.

  Furthermore, in the motion guide apparatus using the austenitic metal according to the present invention, the machining is a removal process including a cutting process, a grinding process, a polishing process, or a plastic process including a press process, a drawing process, and a rolling process. And at least one of them.

  Still further, in the motion guide apparatus using the austenitic metal according to the present invention, it is preferable that the machining is performed using a glass lubricant.

  A method of manufacturing a motion guide device using an austenitic metal according to the present invention includes a race member, a reciprocating motion in the axial direction or circumferential direction of the race member, which is installed on the race member via a plurality of rolling elements. An austenitic metal comprising a moving member that is freely or rotationally movable, and at least a rolling member rolling surface in contact with the plurality of rolling members in the track member or the moving member is made of an austenitic metal First, a carbon solid solution diffusion treatment step is performed in which a carbon solid solution diffusion treatment is performed on an austenitic metal material and a carbon solid solution layer is formed at least near the surface thereof. Then, a forming process step of forming the austenitic metal material into a predetermined shape by machining is performed.

  In the method for manufacturing a motion guide apparatus using an austenitic metal according to the present invention, the machining is removal processing including cutting, grinding, polishing, or plastic processing including pressing, drawing, and rolling. It can be at least one of them.

  In the method of manufacturing a motion guide apparatus using an austenitic metal according to the present invention, it is preferable that the machining is performed using a glass lubricant.

  The summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention, and sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be the invention.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the motion guide apparatus using the austenitic metal which implement | achieves corrosion resistance, high hardness, and a highly accurate product dimension, and its manufacturing method can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where a motion guide device using an austenitic metal according to the present embodiment is configured as a ball screw device. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the manufacturing process of the screw shaft according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram comparing the Vickers hardness in the depth direction between an austenitic stainless steel produced by the production method according to the present embodiment and an austenitic stainless steel produced by a conventional technique. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a manufacturing process of the nut member according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5A is an external perspective view illustrating one mode in which a motion guide device using an austenitic metal according to the present invention is configured as a linear guide device. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view for explaining an infinite circuit provided in the linear guide device shown in FIG. 5A. FIG. 6 is an external perspective view illustrating an example of a case where the motion guide device using the austenitic metal according to the present invention is configured as a spline device. FIG. 7A is a partially longitudinal perspective view illustrating an embodiment in which the motion guide device using the austenitic metal according to the present invention is configured as a rotary bearing device. FIG. 7B is a view showing a longitudinal section of the rotary bearing device shown in FIG. 7A.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Ball screw apparatus, 11 Screw shaft, 11a Rolling body rolling groove, 12, 42, 62 Ball, 20 Load rolling path, 31 Nut member, 32 Nut main body, 32a Flange, 32b Load rolling groove, 33 Side lid, 34 Return path, 35 Return piece, 36 Cover, 37 Direction change path, 38 Unloaded rolling path, 39 Endless circulation path, 40 Linear guide device, 41 Track rail, 41a Rolling element rolling groove, 43 Moving block, 43a Loaded rolling element Rolling groove, 52 loaded rolling path, 53 unloaded rolling path, 55 direction changing path, 60 spline device, 61 spline shaft, 61a rolling element rolling groove, 63 outer cylinder, 64 cage, 70 rotating bearing device, 71 inner ring 72, inner raceway groove, 73 outer ring, 74 outer raceway groove, 75 raceway, 77 rollers.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments for carrying out the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the invention according to each claim, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the invention. .

Application Example to Ball Screw Device The motion guide device using the austenitic metal according to the present embodiment can be configured as a ball screw device as shown in FIG. In addition, FIG. 1 is a figure which illustrates one form at the time of comprising the exercise | movement guide apparatus using the austenitic metal which concerns on this embodiment as a ball screw apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a ball screw device 10 according to the present embodiment includes a screw shaft 11 as a raceway member and a movement that is movably attached to the screw shaft 11 via a plurality of rolling elements balls 12. And a nut member 31 as a member. On the outer peripheral surface of the screw shaft 11, two spiral rolling element rolling grooves 11a and 11a are formed. In the ball screw device 10 according to the present embodiment, both members of the screw shaft 11 and the nut main body 32 constituting the nut member 31 are made of austenitic stainless steel that has undergone the processing described below.

  The nut member 31 includes a nut main body 32 and resin side lids 33 and 33 attached to both ends thereof. On the outer periphery of the nut main body 32, a flange 32a for attaching the nut member 31 to its counterpart part is formed. In addition, on the inner peripheral surface of the nut main body 32, two strips of load rolling grooves 32b and 32b extending spirally corresponding to the rolling element rolling grooves 11a and 11a are formed. Spiral load rolling paths 20, 20 are formed by a combination of the rolling element rolling grooves 11a, 11a and the load rolling grooves 32b, 32b.

  Two return passages 34, 34 penetrating the nut main body 32 in the axial direction are formed inside the nut main body 32 of the nut member 31. The side lid 33 has a return piece 35 and a cover 36 that covers the outside thereof, and the direction change that connects the return passages 34, 34 and the load rolling paths 20, 20 by the left and right return pieces 35, 35, respectively. Paths 37 and 37 are formed. The combination of the return passages 34, 34 and the direction change paths 37, 37 constitutes the unloaded rolling paths 38, 38 of the ball 12, and the combination of the unloaded rolling paths 38, 38 and the loaded rolling paths 20, 20 Infinite circulation paths 39, 39 are formed.

  With the above configuration, the ball screw device 10 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the nut member 31 reciprocates relative to the screw shaft 11 as the screw shaft 11 rotates relative to the nut member 31. You can exercise.

  The two side lids 33, 33 of the nut member 31 are exemplified by the case of being made of resin. However, like the nut body 32 and the screw shaft 11, the side lids 33, 33 are made of austenitic stainless steel that has undergone the processing described later. Is possible.

  Next, the manufacturing method of the motion guide apparatus using the austenitic metal according to the present embodiment will be described by exemplifying the manufacturing method of the screw shaft 11 and the nut body 32 shown in FIG. In addition, the manufacturing method of the motion guide apparatus using the austenitic metal according to the present embodiment first performs carbon solid solution diffusion treatment on the austenitic metal material, and forms carbon solid solution layer at least near the surface thereof. A solid solution diffusion treatment step is performed, and then a forming process step for forming the austenitic metal material into a predetermined shape is performed by machining.

  In addition, as an austenitic metal employ | adopted with the manufacturing method which concerns on this embodiment, it is suitable to employ | adopt the austenitic stainless steel containing at least 1 of SUS304 and SUS316. By adopting a metastable austenitic steel such as SUS304, SUS316 or the like that has a slightly low austenite stability, it is possible to form a carbon solid solution diffusion layer suitable for a motion guide device. This will be specifically described below.

Manufacturing Process of Screw Shaft Using Austenitic Stainless Steel FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a manufacturing process of a screw shaft according to this embodiment. In order to manufacture the screw shaft 11 according to the present embodiment, a material of austenitic stainless steel is obtained, and first, a reduction process is performed (step S10). This reduction process is performed in order to physically stabilize a material that is later subjected to a rolling process. In the case of this embodiment, a reduction process of about 15 to 45% is performed.

  Subsequently, the raw material is subjected to rough machining as a previous stage to undergo machining, a rough outline shape is cut out by centerless grinding (step S11), and the outline shape is adjusted by chamfering (step S12).

  When the roughing of the material is completed, a carbon solid solution diffusion process is subsequently performed on the material (step S13). The most characteristic point of the manufacturing method according to the present embodiment is that this carbon solid solution diffusion treatment is performed at the stage where the roughing before finishing is completed. In addition, as the carbon solid solution diffusion treatment, for example, a treatment process called Pionite (registered trademark) developed by Air Water Co., Ltd. can be adopted.

The specific contents of the carbon solid solution diffusion treatment according to the present embodiment will be described. In this treatment, first, fluorine gas such as NF ₃ (nitrogen trifluoride) is used as a pretreatment for the carburizing treatment, and 200 to 400 ° C. The fluorination treatment is performed at a degree (more preferably around 350 ° C.). This fluorination treatment is performed to remove the Cr oxide layer formed on the surface layer of the austenitic stainless steel in the material state. That is, by performing the fluorination treatment, the Cr oxide layer that inhibits the carburization reaction is removed and a very thin fluorinated layer is formed on the surface layer, and the surface thereof is extremely activated. When the surface of the austenitic stainless steel is activated, the subsequent carburizing treatment is suitably performed.

The carburizing process performed subsequently is performed at a low temperature of about 470 to 520 ° C. for about 22 hours. For the carburizing treatment, a mixed gas such as CO, CO ₂ , H ₂ or an unsaturated hydrocarbon gas such as acetylene or ethylene is used. After performing this treatment, oxidation of Fe by CO ₂ gas occurs on the outermost surface layer of austenitic stainless steel, and a black oxide layer made of Fe ₃ O ₄ is formed. In such a manufacturing method, since finishing is performed later, a scale removal step such as pickling can be omitted. However, the manufacturing method according to this embodiment does not prohibit the scale removal process such as pickling treatment, and depending on the product delivery date, etc., hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, ferric chloride, or a mixture thereof You may perform the pickling process using a liquid.

  In the material of the austenitic stainless steel subjected to the carbon solid solution diffusion treatment shown in step S13, a carbon solid solution diffusion layer is formed in a depth range of 20 to 40 μm, and the hardness thereof is 650 to 900 in terms of Vickers hardness HV. The hardness is shown. In addition, since the carbon solid solution diffusion layer formed by this treatment is uniformly formed on the entire surface of the material, in addition to the property of having high hardness, the corrosion resistance of the material is maintained, and the layer itself during machining is maintained. Since the throwing power is good, there is an advantage that almost no defects are caused by processing.

  When the carbon solid solution diffusion process of the material (step S13) is completed, the rolling process is performed to form the rolling element rolling grooves 11a on the surface of the material (step S14). Then, the axial length of the screw shaft 11 is defined by cutting to a predetermined length (step S15), intermediate correction (step S16), terminal processing before finishing correction (step S17), and finishing correction (step S18). Through the processing step, terminal processing as final finishing is performed (step S19). By performing the processing and processing steps described above, a screw shaft 11 suitable for the ball screw device 10 is completed.

  A suitable point in the manufacturing method according to this embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 is that machining is performed after the carbon solid solution diffusion treatment is performed. That is, the austenitic stainless steel has high hardness and corrosion resistance due to the effect of the carbon solid solution diffusion layer formed by the carbon solid solution diffusion treatment, but it is further increased by subsequent machining. Dimensional accuracy can be obtained. Further, since austenitic stainless steel undergoes work hardening by performing machining, high hardness can be obtained not only in the surface layer portion but also in the interior.

  The specific effect which the manufacturing method concerning this embodiment exhibits is shown with data. FIG. 3 is a diagram comparing the Vickers hardness in the depth direction between an austenitic stainless steel produced by the production method according to the present embodiment and an austenitic stainless steel produced by a conventional technique. In FIG. 3, the solid line indicated by the symbol (a) indicates data of the austenitic stainless steel manufactured by the manufacturing method according to the present embodiment, and machining is performed after the carbon solid solution diffusion treatment is performed. It has been done. On the other hand, the data indicated by the reference sign (b) and the reference sign (c) is shown as a comparative example, and the broken line indicated by the reference sign (b) is manufactured by the manufacturing method disclosed in Patent Document 1 above. The data of austenitic stainless steel is shown, and the carbon solid solution diffusion treatment was performed after the machining. Moreover, the dashed-dotted line shown by a code | symbol (c) has shown the data of the austenitic stainless steel in which only machining was implemented, and shows only the influence of work hardening.

  As clearly shown in FIG. 3, the vicinity of the surface of the austenitic stainless steel exhibits high hardness due to the effect of the carbon solid solution diffusion treatment. However, in the manufacturing method in which the carbon solid solution diffusion treatment is performed after the machining as disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, a sharp decrease in hardness is observed at a certain depth, which is indicated by reference numeral (c). This results in a lower hardness than machined alone. However, according to the manufacturing method according to the present embodiment indicated by the symbol (a), a sharp decrease in hardness is not observed, and a higher hardness than that of the comparative example can be maintained at a deep position. Therefore, if an austenitic stainless steel part molded by the manufacturing method according to the present embodiment is used, a motion guide device having both corrosion resistance and high hardness can be obtained.

  Further, as can be seen from FIG. 3, the Vickers hardness HV of the surface of the carbon solution layer after the austenitic stainless steel is subjected to machining shows the same value as that after the carbon solution diffusion treatment. ing. This means that when the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 2 is performed, the hardness after carbon solid solution diffusion treatment is maintained even after machining, and the Vickers hardness HV can be maintained within the range of 650 to 900. It is shown that. Therefore, it is clear that the manufacturing method according to this embodiment in which machining is performed after the carbon solid solution diffusion treatment does not adversely affect the carbon solid solution diffusion layer.

  Furthermore, according to the manufacturing method according to the present embodiment, since the machining is performed after the carbon solid solution diffusion treatment, it is possible to realize a motion guide device with high dimensional accuracy. . In particular, in the manufacturing method disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the final process of product processing is a carbon solid solution diffusion process or a pickling process, there is a problem that the surface roughness is inferior. If the austenitic stainless steel according to the present embodiment is received, the surface roughness will be low, so that when applied to a motion guidance device, a smooth guidance operation can be maintained for a long period of time, and an advantageous effect will be exhibited. Become.

Manufacturing Process of Nut Member Using Austenitic Stainless Steel Next, the manufacturing process of the nut member 31 using austenitic stainless steel will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a manufacturing process of the nut member according to the present embodiment. In the manufacturing process of the nut member 31 according to the present embodiment, first, after obtaining a material of austenitic stainless steel, the material is cut into a suitable size (step S20). Then, inner diameter drilling and outer shape processing as roughing are performed (step S21, step S22).

  Next, a carbon solid solution diffusion layer is formed on the material thus roughened by performing a carbon solid solution diffusion process (step S23). The specific contents and effects of the carbon solid solution diffusion process performed in step S23 are the same as in the case of the screw shaft 11 described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  The austenitic stainless steel on which the carbon solid solution diffusion layer is formed is then processed into a piece hole (step S24), a flange process for forming the flange 32a (step S25), and a rolling tap for forming the load rolling groove 32b. After receiving the processing (step S26), cylindrical processing (step S27), which is the final process, is performed. The nut member 31 is completed through such processing and processing steps.

  The nut member 31 has a problem that it is difficult to process compared to the screw shaft 11 because the load rolling groove 32b extending spirally must be formed on the inner peripheral surface drilled in step S21. However, when performing the rolling tap process (step S26), it is possible to perform the process suitably by using a glass lubricant. As the glass lubricant, a sodium silicate glass lubricant or a borosilicate glass lubricant can be used.

  In this embodiment, since the screw shaft 11 and the nut member 31 are illustrated and the manufacturing method of the exercise | movement guide apparatus using the austenite type metal which concerns on this embodiment was demonstrated, as machining, a rolling process or a correction process, The rolling tap process etc. were illustrated. However, the application of the present invention is not limited to these processing means, and for example, at least one of removal processing including cutting, grinding, and polishing, or plastic processing including pressing, drawing, and rolling. Machining including one can be employed. Of course, in these processing means, it is possible to use a glass lubricant such as the above-mentioned sodium silicate glass lubricant.

  In the present embodiment, the two members, the screw shaft 11 and the nut body 32, are made of austenitic stainless steel. However, the spiral load rolling path 20 that repeatedly receives rolling and sliding motions from the rolling elements, It is also possible to configure only the vicinity of 20 with austenitic stainless steel subjected to the processing according to the present embodiment. That is, the screw shaft 11 that is the race member or the nut main body 32 that constitutes the moving member has at least a rolling element rolling surface such as a load rolling path 20 that is in contact with the plurality of balls 12 ... made of austenitic metal. Is desirable. Furthermore, all the members constituting the motion guide device can be made of austenitic stainless steel subjected to the processing according to the present embodiment.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. Various modifications or improvements can be added to the embodiment. That is, the motion guide device using the austenitic metal according to the present invention is installed on the raceway member and the raceway member via a plurality of rolling elements, and can freely reciprocate or rotate in the axial direction or circumferential direction of the raceway member. A moving member that is freely movable, and the raceway member or the moving member has at least a configuration in which the vicinity of the rolling element rolling surface that is in contact with the plurality of rolling elements is made of an austenitic metal, It can be applied to any device.

Configuration of Linear Guide Device to which the Present Invention can be Applied For example, a motion guide device using an austenitic metal according to the present invention can be configured as a linear guide device as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Here, FIG. 5A is an external perspective view illustrating an example of a case where the motion guide device using the austenitic metal according to the present invention is configured as a linear guide device. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view for explaining an infinite circuit provided in the linear guide device shown in FIG. 5A.

  The linear guide device 40 illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B is a moving member that is slidably mounted via a track rail 41 as a track member and balls 42 that are installed on the track rail 41 as a number of rolling elements. The moving block 43 is provided. The track rail 41 is a long member whose cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and on its surface (upper surface and both side surfaces), a rolling element rolling groove 41a that becomes a track when the ball rolls. Are formed over the entire length of the track rail 41.

  Here, the track rail 41 may be formed to extend linearly, or may be formed to extend in a curved manner. Moreover, although the number of rolling element rolling grooves 41a ... is provided in a total of four, two on the left and right, the number can be changed according to the application of the linear guide device 40 and the like.

  On the other hand, the moving block 43 is provided with load rolling element rolling grooves 43a at positions corresponding to the rolling element rolling grooves 41a. The rolling element rolling grooves 41a of the track rail 41 and the loaded rolling element rolling grooves 43a of the moving block 43 form a load rolling path 52, and a plurality of balls 42 are sandwiched therebetween. Further, the moving block 43 includes four unloaded rolling paths 53 extending in parallel with the rolling element rolling grooves 41a, and a direction change connecting the unloaded rolling paths 53 and the loaded rolling paths 52. Paths 55 are provided. One infinite circulation path is configured by a combination of one load rolling path 52 and no-load rolling path 53 and a pair of direction switching paths 55 connecting them (see FIG. 5B).

  A plurality of balls 42 are installed in an infinite circulation path composed of a load rolling path 52, a no-load rolling path 53, and a pair of direction changing paths 55, 55 so that infinite circulation is possible. Is reciprocally movable relative to the track rail 41.

  Of the members constituting such a linear guide device 40, at least one of the track rail 41 and the moving block 43 can be made of an austenitic metal formed by the manufacturing method according to the present invention. By using such an austenitic metal as a constituent member, a linear guide device 40 having unprecedented corrosion resistance, high hardness, and high precision product dimensions can be realized.

The configuration of the spline device to which the present invention can be applied The motion guide device using the austenitic metal according to the present invention can be configured as a spline device as shown in FIG. Here, FIG. 6 is an external perspective view illustrating one mode when the motion guide device using the austenitic metal according to the present invention is configured as a spline device.

  A spline device 60 shown in FIG. 6 includes a spline shaft 61 as a race member and a cylindrical outer member as a moving member attached to the spline shaft 61 through a plurality of balls 62 as rolling elements. And a cylinder 63.

  On the surface of the spline shaft 61, rolling element rolling grooves 61 a that serve as tracks of the balls 62 and extend in the axial direction of the spline shaft 21 are formed. A load rolling element rolling groove corresponding to the rolling element rolling groove 61 a is formed in the outer cylinder 63 attached to the spline shaft 61. These load rolling element rolling grooves are formed with a plurality of protrusions extending in the direction in which the rolling element rolling grooves 61a.

  A load rolling path is formed between the loaded rolling element rolling groove formed in the outer cylinder 63 and the rolling element rolling groove 61 a formed in the spline shaft 61. Next to the load rolling path, a no-load return passage is formed in which the balls 62 released from the load move. The outer cylinder 63 incorporates a cage 64 for aligning and holding a plurality of balls 62 in a circuit shape.

  A plurality of balls 62 are installed so as to roll freely between the loaded rolling element rolling groove of the outer cylinder 63 and the rolling element rolling groove 61a of the spline shaft 61, and are infinitely circulated through the no-load return passage. Thus, the outer cylinder 63 can reciprocate relative to the spline shaft 61.

  Of the members constituting the spline device 60, at least one of the spline shaft 61 and the outer cylinder 63 can be made of austenitic metal formed by the manufacturing method according to the present invention. By using such an austenitic metal as a constituent member, it is possible to realize a spline device 60 having unprecedented corrosion resistance, high hardness, and high-precision product dimensions.

Configuration of Rotating Bearing Device to which the Present Invention can be Applied Furthermore, the motion guide device using the austenitic metal according to the present invention can be configured as a rotating bearing device as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. Here, FIG. 7A is a partially longitudinal perspective view illustrating an example of a case where the motion guide device using the austenitic metal according to the present invention is configured as a rotary bearing device. FIG. 7B is a view showing a longitudinal section of the rotary bearing device shown in FIG. 7A.

  As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the motion guide device configured as the rotary bearing device 70 includes an inner ring 71 having an inner raceway groove 72 having a V-shaped cross section on the outer peripheral surface, and a V-shaped cross section on the inner peripheral surface. Rollers as a plurality of rolling elements arranged in a cross-rollable manner between a raceway 75 having a substantially rectangular cross section formed by an outer race 73 having an outer raceway groove 74 and an inner raceway groove 72 and an outer raceway groove 74. 77 ..., the inner ring 71 and the outer ring 73 perform relative rotational movement in the circumferential direction.

  Among the members constituting such a rotary bearing device 70, at least one of the inner ring 71 and the outer ring 73 can be formed of an austenitic metal formed by the manufacturing method according to the present invention. By using such an austenitic metal as a constituent member, it is possible to realize a rotary bearing device 70 having unprecedented corrosion resistance, high hardness, and high precision product dimensions.

  The present invention can be applied not only to the linear guide device, the spline device, the ball screw device, and the rotary bearing device described above, but also to any motion guide device such as a linear guide device and a rolling bearing. It is apparent from the description of the scope of claims that embodiments with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

Claims (8)

A track member;
A moving member that is installed on the raceway member via a plurality of rolling elements, and is installed so as to be reciprocally movable or rotatable in the axial direction or circumferential direction of the raceway member;
With
The raceway member or the moving member is composed of an austenitic metal at least in the vicinity of the rolling element rolling surface in contact with the plurality of rolling elements,
The austenitic metal is formed by subjecting a carbon solid solution diffusion treatment to a carbon solid solution layer in the vicinity of the surface and then machining into a predetermined shape. There was a motion guide device. In the movement guide apparatus using the austenitic metal according to claim 1,
The austenitic metal is an austenitic stainless steel, and the motion guide device using the austenitic metal is characterized. In the movement guide apparatus using the austenitic metal according to claim 1 or 2,
The motion guide device using an austenitic metal, wherein a Vickers hardness HV of the surface of the carbon solution layer after the austenitic metal is subjected to machining is in a range of 650 to 900. In the movement guide apparatus using the austenitic metal according to claim 1 or 2,
The austenitic metal is characterized in that the machining is at least one of removal processing including cutting processing, grinding processing, polishing processing, or plastic processing including press processing, drawing processing, and rolling processing. Exercise guidance device. In the movement guide apparatus using the austenitic metal according to claim 1 or 2,
The motion guide device using an austenitic metal, wherein the machining is performed using a glass lubricant. A track member;
A moving member that is installed on the raceway member via a plurality of rolling elements, and is installed so as to be reciprocally movable or rotatable in the axial direction or circumferential direction of the raceway member;
With
The rolling member rolling surface vicinity that contacts at least the plurality of rolling elements in the raceway member or the moving member is a method for manufacturing a motion guide device using an austenitic metal composed of an austenitic metal,
First, carbon solid solution diffusion treatment is performed on the austenitic metal material, and a carbon solid solution diffusion treatment process is performed to form a carbon solution layer at least in the vicinity of the surface, and then the austenitic metal material is machined. The manufacturing method of the movement guide apparatus using the austenitic metal characterized by performing the shaping | molding process process shape | molded by predetermined shape by. In the manufacturing method of the movement guide apparatus using the austenitic metal according to claim 6,
The machining is an austenitic metal characterized in that it is at least one of removal processing including cutting, grinding, polishing, or plastic processing including pressing, drawing, and rolling. Manufacturing method of motion guide device. In the manufacturing method of the movement guide apparatus using the austenitic metal according to claim 6 or 7,
The said machining is performed using a glass lubricant, The manufacturing method of the movement guide apparatus using the austenitic metal characterized by the above-mentioned.

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