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superiortransmissioninc-products-EP-S45C42CrMo 4–8 Hole 20–212 Tooth Straight Gear Rack

Cremagliera a denti dritti EP-S45C/42CrMo a 4-8 fori e 20-212 denti — DIN6 GB5

A gear rack is a linear bar with evenly spaced teeth cut along one face, designed to mesh with a rotating pinion gear. Together they form the rack and pinion gear mechanism — one of the most mechanically direct methods of converting rotary motion into controlled linear displacement. Unlike ball-screw or belt-driven linear axes, a spur gear rack drivetrain offers high stiffness, straightforward maintenance, and the ability to handle long travel distances by jointing multiple rack segments end to end.

The EP-S45C/42CrMo range is manufactured in a broad matrix of module sizes to cover everything from compact small gear rack applications at M1.5 to heavy-drive axes at M12. Two material grades are offered within the same dimensional series: S45C carbon steel provides a cost-effective, machinable base suited to general-purpose CNC and automation drives, while 42CrMo alloy steel delivers a higher base strength and improved hardenability — favored in applications where shock loading, elevated temperatures, or high surface contact stress require additional material performance. Racks without mounting holes are available on request; simply add the suffix “N” to the model code (for example, 551020100-N) when placing an order.

All dimensions in the EP series follow the standard dimensional schema for gears rack and pinion systems: the pitch Pt equals the module multiplied by π, rack length L is determined by the tooth count and pitch, and all body and tooth dimensions — B, A0, A1, D, I, C1, C2, C3, E, D1, I1 — are listed in the full specification table below. Other dimensions or materials can be customized against customer drawings, giving engineers the flexibility to integrate this custom gear rack into non-standard machine configurations without redesigning the entire axis.

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Cremagliera a denti dritti EP-S45C/42CrMo a 4-8 fori e 20-212 denti — DIN6 GB5

IL EP-S45C/42CrMo gear rack series delivers reliable, high-precision linear motion across a comprehensive range of module sizes — from M1.5 to M12 — with tooth counts spanning 20 to 212. Built from high-quality S45C carbon steel or 42CrMo alloy steel, this straight gear rack is ground to DIN6 GB5 precision on all four body faces and the tooth surface, making it a dependable choice for CNC machine tools, automation systems, conveyor drives, and any application requiring an accurate, repeatable rack and pinion gear linear axis.

Portautensili

M1.5 – M12
Module Range
20 – 212
Tooth Count Range
4 or 8 Holes
Opzioni di montaggio
HRC 48–55°
Surface Hardness
DIN6 GB5
Precision Grade

Specifiche tecniche

The tables below list the complete dimensional parameters for each gear rack model in the EP-551 straight-tooth series. All dimensions are in millimeters. The pitch Pt is calculated as module × π, and Fp is the total cumulative pitch error tolerance at DIN6 GB5 grade. When sourcing a linear gear rack replacement or specifying a new rack and pinion gear axis, cross-reference the module, tooth count, and body dimensions against your current or planned pinion center height to confirm correct installation geometry. Racks can be supplied without holes by appending "N" to the model number.

Code Modulo Pt (mm) L (mm) Teeth B A0 A1 D IO Holes Fp
551 010 050 1.5 4.7123 499.51 106 17 17 15.5 62.44 124.88 4 0.029
551 010 100 1.5 4.7123 999.03 212 17 17 15.5 62.44 124.88 8 0.033
551 020 050 2 6.2831 502.65 80 24 24 22 62.83 125.66 4 0.029
551 020 100 2 6.2831 1005.31 160 24 24 22 62.83 125.66 8 0.034
551 030 050 3 9.4247 508.94 54 29 29 26 63.62 127.23 4 0.032
551 030 100 3 9.4247 1017.88 108 29 29 26 63.62 127.23 8 0.037
551 040 050 4 12.5664 502.65 40 39 39 35 62.83 125.66 4 0.034
551 040 100 4 12.5664 1005.31 80 39 39 35 62.83 125.66 8 0.040
551 050 050 5 15.7079 502.65 32 49 39 34 62.83 125.66 4 0.034
551 060 100 6 18.8495 1017.88 54 59 49 43 63.62 127.23 8 0.040
551 080 100 8 25.1327 1005.31 40 79 79 71 62.83 125.66 8 0.043
551 100 100 10 31.4159 1005.31 32 99 99 89 62.83 125.66 8 0.043
551 120 100 12 37.6991 1017.88 27 120 120 108 63.6 127.23 8 0.046

All dimensions in mm. Pt = Module × π. Fp = Total cumulative pitch error (DIN6 GB5). Racks without holes available — suffix model with "N" (e.g. 551020100-N). Custom dimensions and materials available against drawing.

How the Straight Gear Rack Mechanism Works

The operating principle behind the spur gear rack and pinion system is direct and mechanically efficient. A circular pinion — typically driven by a servo motor or gearbox — rotates against the straight teeth of the gear rack. Because each tooth of the pinion meshes perpendicular to the rack's longitudinal axis, the rotational input translates cleanly into linear output. The distance the rack travels per full pinion revolution equals π multiplied by the module multiplied by the number of pinion teeth. This fixed gear ratio of rack and pinion relationship means positioning is entirely predictable and repeatable without encoder feedback on the rack itself.

Unlike ball-screw actuators, the rack and pinion gear drivetrain has no theoretical travel length limit — axes can be extended by bolting additional rack segments end to end in a pitch-matched arrangement. This is a significant advantage in large-format CNC routers, plasma cutting tables, and gantry cranes where a single screw would be impractical. The straight gear rack also accepts bidirectional loading without preload complications, making it well-suited for axes that must reverse direction frequently under load.

The EP-S45C/42CrMo series uses a standard full-depth straight tooth profile — teeth are machined perpendicular to the rack body, with tooth height proportional to the module. After the hard-tooth-surface treatment, all four body faces and the tooth flank are ground to DIN6 GB5 tolerance, correcting any post-hardening distortion and ensuring that the finished gear rack meets its pitch-accuracy specification across the full length.

Straight gear rack spur tooth industrial rack

5 Reasons Engineers Specify This Gear Rack

① Dual-Material Flexibility: S45C and 42CrMo

Offering both S45C carbon steel and 42CrMo alloy steel in the same dimensional series gives engineers a direct upgrade path when application loads increase. S45C is well-suited to general automation and positioning axes, while 42CrMo provides higher tensile strength and better fatigue resistance for axes carrying heavier payloads or operating under impact conditions — all without changing the pinion or mounting hardware.

② DIN6 GB5 Dual-Standard Precision Certification

Meeting both German DIN6 and Chinese GB5 precision grades, the EP series is qualified for direct use in European machine-tool specifications and Asian OEM procurement programs. The cumulative pitch error Fp — listed per model in the specification table — quantifies the allowable tooth-position tolerance across the full rack length, giving quality engineers a concrete acceptance criterion for incoming inspection of any linear gear rack shipment.

③ High-Frequency Induction Hardened Tooth Surface

Tooth surfaces are induction-hardened to HRC 48–52° (S45C) or HRC 50–55° (42CrMo) in a focused zone at the contact face, preserving toughness in the body while delivering hard-wearing performance where it counts. This surface treatment is the same process used in heavy-duty gear rack applications for construction machinery and stage lifting systems, applied here to a precision-grade product that also serves lighter CNC and robotic axes.

④ Four-Side Body Grinding + Tooth Surface Grinding

The two-stage grinding process — first the four rectangular body faces, then the tooth profile — eliminates hardening-induced warp before the tooth geometry is finalized. Mounting faces that are ground square to the tooth pitch ensure the rack installs flat against its guideway or machine bed without shimming, reducing setup time on CNC routing tables, plasma gantries, and pick-and-place automation systems across manufacturing sites in Germany, the UK, Australia, and North America.

⑤ Wide Module Range and Hole-Free Option for Custom Integration

From M1.5 for compact small rack and pinion drives to M12 for large-format heavy-transport axes, the EP series covers practically every gearbox rack and pinion requirement in one catalogue. The optional hole-free variant (suffix "N") is useful when the machine frame is drilled to a different hole pattern, or when the rack is held by external clamps rather than through-bolts — a configuration common in retrofit and replacement scenarios.

Material, Hardness & Quality Standards

Two material grades serve this gear rack series, each targeting a distinct load and application profile. S45C medium-carbon steel is widely used in industrial machinery for its reliable machinability, consistent mechanical properties, and favorable response to high-frequency induction hardening — tooth surfaces reach HRC 48–52° while the body retains a working hardness that resists brittle fracture under dynamic loading. 42CrMo alloy steel adds chromium and molybdenum to the base composition, significantly improving hardenability, tensile strength, and fatigue resistance. Tooth surfaces on the 42CrMo variant are hardened to HRC 50–55°, making it the preferred choice for heavy-duty gear rack axes in construction equipment, stage platforms, and high-cycle industrial robots where both contact stress and body bending loads are elevated.

The manufacturing sequence begins with material verification and rough machining, followed by hard-tooth-surface treatment — high-frequency induction hardening concentrated at the tooth flank. The hardened blank then undergoes four-side body grinding, after which tooth surface grinding finalizes the profile to DIN6 GB5 tolerance. This sequencing is critical: grinding after hardening corrects any thermal distortion introduced during the heat treatment phase, ensuring the finished gear rack is straight and the tooth pitch meets the specification regardless of the material grade chosen.

Production is carried out under an ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management system. Each batch undergoes inspection of tooth pitch, profile form, and body squareness before dispatch. Custom dimensions and alternative materials can be supplied against customer drawings — a capability that extends the EP series beyond its standard catalogue into bespoke custom gear rack territory for OEM and retrofit projects worldwide.

Scenari applicativi

The broad module range and dual-material offering of the EP-S45C/42CrMo gear rack makes it applicable across a wide spectrum of industries. Below are the environments where this spur gear rack is most commonly specified.

CNC Routers & Wood Processing

Large-format CNC routers used in furniture manufacturing, signage, and aerospace panel cutting rely on rack and pinion linear slide drives for gantry X-axis travel. The M3–M6 range from the EP series covers most router table widths, and the ground body faces simplify installation on aluminum extrusion or welded steel frames. Machine builders across the UK, Germany, and Australia regularly specify this class of straight gear rack for its combination of speed, stiffness, and serviceability.

Plasma & Laser Cutting Systems

Plasma and fiber laser cutting tables demand axes that maintain accurate positioning at high rapid-traverse speeds. The rack and pinion gear system is the industry standard for these applications because it allows unlimited axis length through rack jointing, accommodates the wide, low-profile machine frames typical of heavy sheet cutting, and tolerates the contamination environment — cutting dust, dross, and moisture — better than alternative lead-screw or belt drives with proper rack protection in place.

Automated Warehouse & Storage Systems

Stacker cranes and automated storage and retrieval systems in warehouse logistics use linear rack and pinion drives on both the horizontal travel axis and the lifting column. The heavy-duty gear rack in M8–M12 sizes handles the payload capacity required for pallet-height racking systems, while the consistent pitch accuracy of the DIN6-graded rack supports the position feedback accuracy that inventory management systems rely on.

Rack and Pinion Press & Forming Machinery

In rack and pinion press configurations and punch press tooling, the rack converts motor torque into controlled ram force. The 42CrMo variant is particularly suited here, given the shock and impact loads that occur at the end of the press stroke. The high surface hardness also resists the fretting wear that develops on press rack teeth where the engagement zone is concentrated over a short travel.

Stage Machinery & Entertainment Rigging

Concert stage lifts, theatrical flying systems, and broadcast camera dollies use gear rack drives for smooth, quiet, and precisely controllable linear motion. The gears rack and pinion combination in these systems must operate reliably through heavy touring cycles and rapid rigging changes. The EP series 42CrMo variant, with its higher fatigue strength, suits the structural demands of vertical lift and lateral travel axes where safety factors are regulated.

Drill Press & Machine Tool Feeds

IL drill press gear rack is one of the oldest applications of the rack and pinion principle. The EP M2–M4 models replace worn racks in radial drills, pillar drills, and milling-head quill feeds. Because the EP range is produced to DIN6 tolerance, replacement units fit the same pinion without adjustment — a practical consideration for maintenance teams replacing worn components in production environments in North America, Korea, and Brazil.

Compatible Components & Related Products

UN gear rack performs best when paired with the right mating pinion and complementary drive components. We supply a range of products engineered to work alongside the EP straight rack series, allowing procurement teams to source a complete rack and pinion gear drivetrain from one supplier — eliminating tooth-geometry compatibility risk and reducing lead time on complete axis assemblies.

Helical Gear (Pinion)

While the EP straight rack meshes with spur pinions, many engineers opt for a Helical Gear pinion on axes where noise reduction is a priority. Our full helical gear range covers a broad span of module sizes and bore diameters compatible with the EP rack series, giving designers the flexibility to select between straight-tooth and helical-pinion engagement geometry within a single product ecosystem. This one-supplier approach to the complete rack pinion gear system simplifies specification and ensures consistent tooth-form matching between rack and pinion.

Helical gear pinion compatible with straight gear rack

Porta ingranaggi in plastica

For applications where weight, corrosion resistance, or self-lubricating properties take precedence over maximum load capacity, our plastic gear rack range is dimensionally compatible with the metal EP series at equivalent module sizes. This allows machine designers to specify metal racks on primary load-bearing axes and polymer racks on lighter auxiliary axes — both sourced from the same supplier catalog with no module mismatch. The plastic rack and pinion option is widely used in food processing, laboratory automation, and office equipment across European and North American markets.

Plastic gear rack compatible drive component

Informazioni sulla nostra attività produttiva

With over ten years of focused experience in mechanical power transmission, our production facility designs and builds precision gear components and drive assemblies for industrial customers worldwide. Our product range extends across agricultural gearboxes, worm gear reducers, planetary gear drives, power take-off shafts, hydraulic cylinders, chains, and motors — all manufactured under one roof and covered by ISO 9001:2015 certification.

We engineer and produce a broad catalogue of gearbox assemblies in ductile iron, cast iron, cast steel, precision cast steel, and cast aluminum, alongside standard mechanical parts including gears, sprockets, worm gears, pulleys, worms, and shafts. Non-standard components can be manufactured to customer drawings — a capability that makes us a practical partner for OEM machine builders who need a reliable source for both catalogue items like this custom gear rack and bespoke parts within the same order.

Workshop

Gear rack factory production
Industrial gear manufacturing
Produzione in catena di montaggio
Welding and accessories fabrication

Domande frequenti

Q1. What module size of straight gear rack should I select for a medium-duty CNC gantry router in a European manufacturing facility?
Module selection depends on the required linear force, rapid-traverse speed, and the servo motor's rated torque and speed. For a medium-duty CNC gantry router with a cutting load under 1000 N on the X axis, M3 or M4 from the EP straight gear rack series is a common starting point. To verify: calculate the required rack tooth load (F = cutting force / efficiency), select a pinion tooth count that achieves the desired linear speed at your motor's rated rpm, then confirm that the tooth bending stress at peak torque falls within the material's allowable range. S45C with induction hardening handles the majority of CNC router gantry applications; 42CrMo should be considered when the axis also carries a significant dead load — for example, a heavy spindle assembly on a high-Z machine. Always consult the rack pitch tolerance Fp when specifying for positioning accuracy requirements.
What is the practical difference between S45C and 42CrMo material when choosing a gear rack for an automated warehouse stacker crane?
Both S45C and 42CrMo gear rack variants in the EP series share the same DIN6 GB5 precision grade and the same four-side grinding process, so the accuracy difference is negligible. The meaningful difference is mechanical performance under load. S45C medium-carbon steel has a typical tensile strength of around 600–700 MPa and hardens to HRC 48–52° on the tooth surface. 42CrMo alloy steel reaches 900–1100 MPa tensile strength and 50–55° surface hardness — it also has significantly better fatigue resistance, which matters for stacker crane travel axes that cycle thousands of times per shift. For a warehouse stacker in the M8–M12 range carrying full pallet loads, 42CrMo is the standard industrial specification in the Netherlands, Germany, and South Korea. For lighter shuttle systems or bin-picking robots at M3–M5, S45C is adequate and reduces material cost without compromising service life.
How do I correctly join two straight gear rack segments to achieve a travel length beyond 1000 mm on a plasma cutting table?
Jointing multiple gear rack segments is standard practice on long-travel axes. The key requirement is maintaining pitch continuity at the joint so the pinion transitions smoothly from one rack to the next without a tooth-pitch error spike. To achieve this: mount the first rack segment and reference its final tooth position precisely — typically with a dial indicator or pitch gauge. Position the second rack so the first tooth of the incoming segment continues the pitch sequence of the last tooth of the fixed segment. Many machine builders use a purpose-made alignment jig that spans both segments during clamping, ensuring the joint gap equals one tooth pitch. On a plasma cutting table with contamination exposure, the joint area benefits from a covering plate or wiper to prevent dross ingestion, which shortens rack tooth life at the splice point. After alignment, verify Fp over the joint by checking cumulative pitch error across several teeth on each side of the joint.
Which lubrication approach works best for a straight gear rack operating in an outdoor construction equipment application in Australia?
Outdoor gear rack drives on construction equipment — slewing drives, mast climbers, and rack-and-pinion elevators — face UV exposure, water ingress, dust, and wide temperature swings. The preferred lubrication approach depends on the operating cycle. For continuous or high-cycle outdoor drives, an automatic grease lubrication system with a rack-mounted dispensing bar is the most reliable solution: it delivers a consistent film of NLGI No. 2 lithium complex grease to the tooth surface on every pinion pass, preventing the grease starvation that accelerates tooth wear on outdoor heavy-duty gear rack installations. For intermittent or seasonal equipment, manual application of a high-viscosity open-gear grease at regular service intervals is practical. Avoid light oils on outdoor racks — they wash off too quickly. The 42CrMo variant with its higher surface hardness is better suited to the abrasive environments typical of Australian construction sites.
When replacing a worn drill press gear rack, how do I identify whether to order a module 2 or module 3 replacement without the original documentation?
Identifying the module of a worn drill press gear rack without documentation is straightforward with a few measurements. First, use calipers to measure the tooth pitch — the center-to-center distance between two adjacent teeth measured along the rack's length. Divide this pitch by π (approximately 3.1416) and you get the module. For example, a pitch of 6.28 mm gives module 2; 9.42 mm gives module 3. If the teeth are too worn for direct pitch measurement, measure the pinion instead: count the teeth and measure the outside diameter (OD). OD equals (number of teeth + 2) × module for a standard addendum gear, so you can back-calculate the module. Cross-reference the resulting module value against the EP series dimension table to confirm the body cross-section (B × A0 dimensions) matches your mounting slot.

Redattore: PXY

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