Integral-V Technology (IVT) | FAQs

What is Integral-V™ Technology and how does it work? 

• Integral-V Technology (IVT) is an innovative linear motion system that is constructed from precision-machined aluminum with integrated hardened stainless-steel races, IVT Linear Slides provide a lightweight yet strong solution, balancing performance and durability. The integration of stainless-steel races directly into the aluminum rail eliminates the need for fasteners, reducing the number of mounting components by up to 50%. This reduces assembly times, enhances structural integrity, and decreases material costs.
• Integral-V Technology (IVT) is a versatile and innovative approach to linear motion systems. Engineered for precision, durability, and flexibility, these guides are ideal for a wide range of applications.

What advantages does Integral-V™ provide over traditional linear guide systems? 

• IVT has fewer components as hardened stainless-steel V-raceways embedded into durable anodized aluminum rails eliminate fasteners and reduce mounting components by 40%
• High speeds: Max speed of 10 m/s
• High accuracy: The SIMO® process provides qualified rail surfaces–resulting in extremely high accuracy without misalignments and added installation time.
• Standard lengths up to 3,650 mm (consult factory for longer continuous length or joinable rails)
  • “Roll-in” style T-nut mounts rail to structural T-slot framing

How does Integral-V™ reduce installation time and cost? 

• Integral-V's 2 components as compared to Profile Rails' 90 components reduce assembly and installation cost and time by up to 75%.
• Standard lengths up to 3,650 mm (consult factory for longer continuous length or joinable rails) with a “Roll-in” style T-nut, mounts rail to structural T-slot framing.

What types of applications are ideal for Integral-V™ Technology? 

• Small to Medium IVT are great for:
  • Pick-and-Place
  • Ink jet
  • 3D printing
• Medium to Large IVT is great for:
  • Industrial Stop Gauge and Push Feed System
  • CNC Routing
  • Kiosk and Automated Retail
• Large to Extra-Large IVT are great for:
  • Audio/Visual Display Mounts
  • XYZ Gantry systems
  • Cutting Operations
  • Depalletizing and Heavy-Duty Lift Systems

What materials are used in the construction of Integral-V™ systems? 

• The rails of the IVT are aluminum.
• The hardened V Race is steel or stainless steel.
• The rollers are hardened steel or stainless steel.

Is Integral-V™ Technology suitable for contaminated or harsh environments? 

• Yes, Integral-V Technology (IVT) can be used in contaminated or harsh environments. It’s always best to check the chemical compatibility chart to make sure that caustic chemicals will not negatively interact with the materials in the IVT products (please check with our Application Engineers if your chemical is not listed). The “V” shape of the wheel will naturally wipe away debris as it rolls along the track.
• For very dirty environments, add wheel covers to help protect the wheels and wipe away large debris.

How does Integral-V™ handle misalignment or uneven mounting surfaces? 

• PBC Linear has revolutionized traditional machining with the SIMO®, or Simultaneous Integral Milling Operation, process. The SIMO process uses synchronized cutters, eliminating built-in extrusion variances by machining all critical edges concurrently in one pass. This ensures tight tolerances, limited variance, and a remarkably straight and repeatable surface at negligible additional cost. This ensures No Bow, No Twist, and No Warp when mounting to less than ideal mounting surfaces.
• Integral-V runs along a pre-aligned, precision-machined anodized aluminum rail with high-performance, hardened steel V-wheel cam rollers, eliminating mounting components and dramatically cutting assembly time.

What maintenance is required for Integral-V™ systems? 

• The rollers are lubricated for life and no lubrication is needed within the roller. An initial layer of oil or grease should be applied to the rail after installation and periodically thereafter (application frequency depends on environment, temperature, contamination levels, load, speed, and duty cycle).
• Lubricators and wheel cover lubricators are available as accessories for IVT carriages and stand-alone rollers.

Can Integral-V™ systems be customized for specific applications? 

• Yes. All Integral-V (IVT) rails can be customized to any length rail (per millimeter) based on the application need. If customization of the carriage is needed, the easiest way to customize an IVT system is to use a standard rail and design your own carriage using the a-la-carte wheels. You can add as many wheels as necessary to carry the load of your application.
• If additional customization is necessary, PBC Linear can design a custom rail for your application. (Please recognize that there are tooling costs and minimum order quantities associated with this option – so this option is best suited for production machinery and other higher volume applications).

What load and speed capacities can be achieved with Integral-V™ systems? 

• IVT systems can handle radial bearing loads up to 10,020 N (2,252 lb) and can achieve speeds up to 10 m/s (394 in/s), ensuring efficient operation in dynamic environments.