# Designing long-travel axes: When rack and pinion outperforms ball screws and linear motors

**Published:** September 17, 2026
**Author:** Sana Kazilbash
**Source:** The Robot Report
**Language:** en-US
**HTML:** https://aiqazaqstan.com/en/articles/designing-long-travel-axes-when-rack-and-pinion-outperforms-ball-screws-

Sponsored by GAM. A gearbox, pinion, and rack system provide the 7th axis, or lateral movement, for an articulated robot. (Image: GAM.) Pull a tape measure out a few inches and the blade is rigid. Keep pulling and at some point it starts to flex and wobble, then eventually…

> From the original source: **The Robot Report**
> [Read full article at The Robot Report](https://www.therobotreport.com/designing-long-travel-axes-when-rack-and-pinion-outperforms-ball-screws-and-linear-motors/)

**Tags:** #Робототехника

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