Effect of frictional heat generation on the temperature distribution in roller linear motion rail surface

The temperature distribution in roller Linear motion (LM) rail surface heated with moving frictional heat source was investigated experimentally and numerically. The operating conditions which had not been regarded by previous research, such as the type of the LM guide and operating temperature, were taken into account for improving the previous model of friction force. Frictional heat generation model and heat partitioning coefficient were proposed to calculate the heat transferred to the LM rail. The numerical solutions were calculated in combining a heat conduction equation and the rate of frictional heat flowing into the rail. Frictional heat generation model and heat partitioning coefficient were verified by comparing experimental and numerical results. Simulation results showed that smaller LM block size or higher velocity leads to the higher temperature distribution in the rail surface. Results also indicated that larger motion stroke results in a lower and wider temperature distribution in the rail surface.