Product Description
This is a rather unusual item. It is a combination X-axis precision translation drive and precision drum reading micrometer drive with a Z-axis rack & pinion drive. The X-axis has a 50mm scale divided into single units numbered every 10mm. The leadscrew has a pitch of 1mm so each revolution of the drum advances the drive 1mm. The drum has a scale very finely divided into 100 parts, again numbered every 10 divisions. Furthermore, the scale reads against a vernier directly to 0.002mm. The graduations are fine enough that it is easy to interpolate to 0.001mm.
The Z-axis is a simple rack & pinion drive. The dovetail fitting has an adjustable jib, but there are no graduations on the Z-axis. The face of the moving portion of the Z-axis is approximately 50mm by 100mm with two mounting bores (the component to be secured using bolts from the inside surface of the mount). Someone has machined an aluminum plate in such a way that the device may be mounted in three different positions.
The translator is manufactured by Gaertner Scientific, but I could discover no information about this particular piece. The condition is very fine – the leadscrew advances the carrier with the Z-axis drive very smoothly without backlash, and there is no play in the Z-axis dovetail. There is a bit of play between the rack and the pinion, however it is very minor. Shims could be placed under the rack to remove the play if desired.
Location MB 51-1
Photo set 532