Balluff has added an Emergency Stop device (E-Stop) to widen further the safety product portfolio. Balluff’s E-Stop is easily and inexpensively connected directly to the Balluff “Safety Over IO-Link” module or to any safety controller using standard M12 connectors, eliminating terminations and reducing the incidence of mis-wiring. “These devices are used in a variety of […]
TS Series now available with LED backlighting style actuator.
APEM, Inc. will expand its TS series Thumbstick range to include an LED backlighting option. The TS series is a miniature joystick featuring contactless Hall effect technology to provide long life proportional control. With a total current draw no greater than 16 mA, the new LED Thumbstick option is ideally suited for wireless remote control applications…
New wireless RF remote control for actuators from Accu Tech USA
Accu Tech USA has released a new wireless key fob controller for their linear actuator product line. The plug-and-play radio frequency (RF) remote control kit includes a 2-button remote control and a remote receiver to efficiently convert a standard rod-style actuator to an actuator automated by remote control. This system is small in size and […]
Hollow rotary actuators from Intellidrives simplify equipment design
The RTGA hollow shaft rotary actuators from Intellidrives feature a large diameter hollow hole (through-hole) that helps reduce the complexity of wiring and piping, simplifying equipment design. Hollow shaft diameters vary from 28 mm to 100 mm depending on the frame size of the actuator. Equipment tables and arms can be installed directly on the […]
New sensors from SIKO aimed at Industry 4.0 for drives, handling systems and robotics
The ultra compact LEC100 and LEC200 sensor duo from SIKO has been developed to meet the requirements of Industry 4.0. The sensor head of the LEC range is small and compact measuring 40 x 10 x 10 mm. The height of the sensors has been reduced by more than half compared to prior models. The […]
Profitable design of linear motion: Choosing between DIY or turnkey builds
Engineers building linear motion systems can use ground-up DIY approaches or purchase complete turnkey solutions. Here we explain where each tactic is most profitable. By John Brokaw and Kent Martins | Valin Corp. How should designers pick between building linear-motion designs in-house or purchasing pre-engineered assemblies? What is there to consider when determining the best […]
Altra Industrial Motion power transmission components for vertical lift systems
Altra Industrial Motion supplies technically advanced clutches and brakes, geared motors, speed reducers, couplings, controls and sensors, sheaves, and castings for a wide range of vertical lift applications including cranes and hoists, stage lifts, elevators, escalators, ski lifts, amusement rides, overhead doors, moveable bridges and ship lifts. With industry-leading brand names, including Warner Electric, Stromag, […]
IntelLiDrives high-frequency linear actuators based on voice-coil technology
IntelLiDrives ICVCA circular voice-coil positioning stages are compact stages suitable for closed-loop short stroke positioning applications where precision, repeatability and low force ripple are of utmost importance. ICVCA linear stages are built with precision crossed-roller guides that provide high rigidity to complement the high acceleration capability of the ICVC module at the core of the […]
High frequency linear actuators with cross roller bearing
IntelLiDrives Circular Voice Coil Positioning Stage (ICVCA) is a compact stage ideal for closed loop short stroke positioning applications where precision, repeatability and low force ripple are of utmost importance. ICVCA stages are built with precision cross roller guides that provides high rigidity to complement the high acceleration capability of the ICVC module which has […]
Step-Flex couplings from Miki Pulley improve ball screw performance
Miki Pulley’s Step-Flex Couplings improve ball screw performance while solving resonance and vibration problems. The Step-Flex is an altogether new class of shaft coupling. The Step-Flex coupling design has a two-part elastomer element combination. This assembly dampens vibration caused by the actuator carrier when struggling to find its home position by making small adjustments in […]
Step-Flex couplings from Miki Pulley improve ball screw performance
Miki Pulley’s Step-Flex couplings improve ball screw performance while solving resonance and vibration problems. The Step-Flex is an altogether new class of shaft coupling. The coupling design has a two-part elastomer element combination. This assembly dampens vibration caused by the actuator carrier when struggling to find its home position by making small adjustments in rapid […]
Tolomatic electric actuators with longer strokes (to replace fluid-power cylinders)
Tolomatic high force electric rod-style actuators now feature stroke lengths to 1.5 m (60 in.) for more flexibility for converting motion control applications with hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders to electric linear motion. Designed for high duty-cycle performance in demanding applications, the RSX, RSA and ERD electric rod-style product families use planetary roller screws for longer […]
Tolomatic integrated servo motor and drive (with PROFINET) automates simple motion axes
The Tolomatic ACSI integrated servo/motor/controller is now available with PROFINET Industrial Ethernet protocol — to let engineers design easy-to-use and cost-effective electric actuator setups for single-axis applications. The integrated package is suitable for replacing pneumatic cylinders and automating any simple axis of motion with Siemens or other PROFINET enabled PLCs. With built-in configurations for Tolomatic […]
Parker Virtual Engineer— New easy-to-use sizing and selection design collaboration tool for reducing design expenses
Parker Hannifin’s Electromechanical & Drives Division now offers a motion-control design tool for engineers to help with proper selection of electromechanical linear motion. Virtual Engineer presents an intuitive interface where users can easily enter their application specifications (for example — speed, load, external forces) and then quickly navigate to accurately sized product options. The tool […]
Closed-loop linear actuator operates at high torque for high acceleration applications
A new closed-loop linear actuator from Applied Motion Products offers greater acceleration rates, shorter move times and higher throughput than conventional step motor-based linear actuators. Creating peak torques up to 50% higher than holding torque, TBSM11 Linear Actuators accelerate and decelerate faster, making them ideal for high throughput processes that require linear actuators to start […]
35-mm CBL35C programmable electric moving-coil servo actuator from SMAC Corp.
Now a 35-mm-diameter SMAC Corp. CBL35C electric cylinder has a built-in controller. The latter lets the CBL35C control force, position, and velocity — and facilitates simple installation. The actuator works for applications with limited space but needing accurate control … Plus the CBL35C provides significantly longer life, programmability, high speed, accuracy, and energy efficiency maintaining […]
Motion Trends: Robotics, IoT impact encoder design
We asked encoder manufacturers to weigh in on the trends they’re seeing in their industries. Here’s what they had to say. What new design trends are you seeing in areas such as robotics, battery powered designs, automated vehicles, and safety in motion control designs? Jonathan Dougherty Product Specialist HEIDENHAIN HEIDENHAIN rotary encoders are critical components […]
Couplings in both single and double flex models
ServoClass Couplings in both Single and Double Flex models are now available with hubs for k6 and j6 shafts. These couplings from Zero-Max provide high torsional stiffness and are designed to handle high speed reversing loads and precise positioning requirements in today’s demanding servomotor applications. The Single and Double Flex ServoClass models handle bore diameters […]
“New Design” pillow and flange blocks from LM76 allow for easy bearing lubrication
“New Design” pillow blocks and flange blocks from LM76 feature a lubrication fitting and an alignment set screw in the pillow blocks and flange blocks. The stainless steel and self aligning linear bearings are modified by having an alignment flat ground on the bearings’ outer shell and drilling a hole through the outer shell. Lubricants […]
Couplings from Zero-Max now available with hubs for k6 and j6 shafts
ServoClass couplings in both Single and Double Flex models are now available with hubs for k6 and j6 shafts. These couplings from Zero-Max provide high torsional stiffness and are designed to handle high speed reversing loads and precise positioning requirements in today’s demanding servomotor applications. The Single and Double Flex ServoClass models handle bore diameters […]
Video: Schneider NEMA 14, 17, and 23 linear actuators (with external and non-captive screws)
In a recent video with our esteemed colleague Lee Teschler, we got to look at six linear actuators from Schneider Electric Motion — in NEMA sizes 14, 17, and 23. These linear actuators incorporate single-stack stepper motors to deliver long life and high accuracy and repeatability. The compact IP20 motors are 1.8° step-angle motors pre-integrated […]
DESTACO Robohand OEM linear table slides for machine tending and part transfer
DESTACO now sells cost-effective OEM gripping setups … and the new T110 linear pneumatic table slides complement the successful G110 gripper setups favored by OEMs. Together, they deliver improved speed and reliability versus comparable products on the market for high-speed machine part-transfer, pick-and-place operations, and machine tending applications. Engineered for better performance, lower maintenance and […]
SIKO AP20S position indicators allow reliable linear adjustments
The new SIKO AP20S position indicator is easy to integrate. In combination with the MS500H linear magnetic sensor with external connection, it works to detect the position of linear guides and slide adjustments in machines. The operator can see the target and actual position directly at the adjustment position, and this information is also transferred […]
LINAK has completed expansion of U.S. manufacturing facility
U.S. subsidiary of Denmark-based LINAK has now completed an addition to their North and South American headquarters in Louisville. The expansion sets LINAK up for continued growth and allows for greater commitment to the Louisville area and its U.S. customers. “LINAK’s work in advanced manufacturing, one of Louisville’s traditional strengths and a key component to […]
XY-theta alignment stage from OES with high resolution and repeatability
The XYR-03-01 Alignment Stage from Optimal Engineering Systems Inc. (OES) is a high resolution, high repeatability XY-Theta stage for such applications as angular glass cutting and grinding, wafer alignment, semiconductor handling, laser cutting and drilling. The linear resolution of the X and Y axis is 5 µm (non-micro-step) or 0.125 µm (20 micro-steps per step […]