Gear Racks and Rack-and-Pinion Sets
We mill spur and helical gear racks with mounting holes, joinable ends and the matching pinion – for linear drives, gates, lifting systems and machine axes.
- 2,000 mmmax. single length
- Module 10max. module
- Spurand helical
- Joinablefor longer travel
- 3.1certificates
Turning Rotation Into Linear Motion
A gear rack is a straight bar with gear teeth. Driven by a pinion, it converts rotation into linear motion – simple, stiff and able to cover long travel by joining sections end to end. Racks are used in machine tool axes, gantries, sliding gates, lifting systems, steering and positioning drives.
Nika Gears mills racks on a Knapp ZFM 300H rack milling machine and supplies the matching spur or helical pinion.
At a glance
- Lengthsingle pieces, joinable
- Moduleup to 10
- Teethstraight or helical
- Cross-sectionto drawing, up to 400 mm
- MaterialsC45, 42CrMo4, 16MnCr5
- Hardeninginduction, Q+T, case
- Joiningmatched pitch at joints
Rack Variants
Straight-Tooth Racks
Racks with straight teeth for gates, lifting tables, handling systems and general linear drives.
- Economical and robust
- No axial force on the pinion
- Mounting holes to drawing
Helical Racks
Helical teeth for smoother, quieter motion and higher load in machine tool axes and gantries.
- Higher contact ratio
- Quieter running
- Matching helical pinion
Rack-and-Pinion Sets
Rack and pinion manufactured together, so module, pressure angle and backlash fit from the start.
- Pinion on shaft or with bore
- Joinable rack sections
- Set inspected together
Gear Rack Specifications: What Can We Make?
| Parameter | Range |
|---|---|
| Length per piece | up to 2,000 mm |
| Module | up to 10 |
| Tooth form | straight or helical, 20° pressure angle standard |
| Cross-section | to drawing, up to 400 mm |
| Pitch accuracy | to drawing; joint pitch matched for multi-piece racks |
| Materials | C45, 42CrMo4, 16MnCr5, stainless on request |
| Heat treatment | induction hardened teeth, quench and temper, case hardening |
| Machining | mounting holes, dowel holes, end faces for joining |
Ranges are typical. Send your drawing and we confirm feasibility for your exact part.
Where Are Gear Racks Used?
Industries that use our gear racks: industrial machinery · construction machinery · recycling and wastewater · marine
Questions About Gear Racks
How long can a rack be?
Up to 2,000 mm in one piece. Longer travel is achieved by joining sections with matched pitch at the joints.
Can you supply the pinion?
Yes, as a spur or helical pinion with bore or cut on a shaft – see pinion shafts.
Are your racks hardened?
On request – induction hardening of the teeth is common for wear resistance; case hardening and quench and temper are also possible.
What module range do you cover?
Up to module 10 on our rack milling machine.
Gear Racks: Design Choices and Manufacturing
A rack-and-pinion drive is the most direct way to turn rotary motion into linear motion. The rack is a gear of infinite radius – a straight bar with teeth – and the pinion rolls along it. The drive is stiff, efficient and, unlike a ball screw, can cover almost unlimited length by joining rack sections end to end.
Straight or helical teeth
Straight-tooth racks are simple and create no axial force on the pinion; they suit gates, lifting systems and handling equipment. Helical racks engage more teeth at once, so they run smoother and quieter and carry more load – the usual choice for machine tool axes and gantries.
Manufacturing
We cut racks on a Knapp ZFM 300H rack milling machine. Mounting holes, dowel holes and joint faces are machined to drawing. For multi-piece racks, the pitch across each joint is matched so the pinion rolls over without a jump.
Materials and hardening
Typical materials are C45 and 42CrMo4, often with induction-hardened teeth for wear resistance, or case-hardening 16MnCr5 for high loads. We report hardness and supply EN 10204 3.1 material certificates.
The matching pinion
A rack only performs with a correctly matched pinion. We manufacture the spur or helical pinion with a bore or as a pinion shaft, and inspect rack and pinion as a set.
Nika Gears is a gear rack manufacturer in Türkiye. Send your drawing for a price.
Send a gear drawing. Get an answer within 24 hours.
Include the PDF or STEP file, module or DP, number of teeth, material, heat treatment, accuracy grade and quantity. We reply with questions or a quotation.