The basic distinction between “standard” and “miniature” profiled rail guides is the width of the guide rail: profiled rails with a width of 15 mm or less — and the carriages that fit on them — are generally considered “miniature” by bearing manufacturers. (However, some manufacturers also produce 15 mm rail guides in standard versions, as we’ll […]
LINAK launches the world’s first electric linear actuator with IO-Link
In the world of factory automation, there is a constant desire to improve efficiency of machinery. Essentially, machine builders are looking for ways to do things smarter at a lower cost. Data is the key driver for that as countless components interact and support the industrial network with real-time information. One of the communication interfaces […]
When is encoder resolution specified in bits, and what does that tell us?
Absolute encoders — whether rotary or linear — track the position of an axis by assigning a unique value to each position on the encoder, so that no matter where the axis being measured is located, its exact position can be determined. And because each position is uniquely identified, this holds true even if the […]
Bosch Rexroth precision modules meet requirements for clean production
With a sealed Ball Screw Assembly on both sides and an upgraded lubrication concept, the new Precision Module PSK from Bosch Rexroth – manufactured in the United States, meets the operational requirements of semiconductor production and of the electronics industry even better than before. In this new generation, designers have increased the rigidity of the […]
Precise miniature slide guides from NB Corporation
SEBS-B type slide guides from NB Corporation feature standard radial clearances that are twice as accurate. The guides are available in both retained-ball (whose elements allow for easier handling because the guide block may be removed from rail without ball loss) or low-cost non-retained ball lines. Available sizes are from 2 mm with friction-free travels […]
The top 10 linear motion articles of 2020
Suffice it to say, pretty much everything about 2020 has been out of the ordinary, and our recap of the top linear motion articles for this year is no exception. For the first time in recent history, only one (1!) of the top 10 articles is about ball or lead screw technologies — a topic that usually […]
What’s the difference between minimum incremental motion (MIM) and resolution?
When we talk about the positioning capabilities of a linear motion system, we typically talk about accuracy and repeatability, and in some applications — especially those driven by stepper motors — we may also be concerned with resolution. But accuracy and repeatability define a system’s ability to reach its commanded position and to do so over […]
Motorized vertical lift stages feature high load capacity, high precision
OES (Optimal Engineering Systems, Inc.) has added 3 high precision vertical lift stages capable of elevating heavy loads by 30 mm (1.18 in.) in an ultra-low profile design. The rigid box construction of the moving component of the elevator stage travels on six slide rails assuring smooth vertical travel and parallelism of the table and […]
Linear bearing seals: Types, options, and applications
Seals for recirculating linear bearings serve two functions — keeping contamination out and keeping lubrication in — to ensure the system operates properly without premature wear or failure. Because sealing is so critical to linear bearing systems, manufacturers offer a variety of sealing designs and materials to meet a wide range of applications and environments. […]
Ball screw seals: Types, options, and applications
Ball screws are used in a wide range of applications, many of which expose the screw and nut assembly to harmful contamination in the form of dust, chips, or liquids. And like any bearing that uses metal balls (or rollers) on metal raceways, ball screws can experience abrasive wear when exposed to solid contaminants, while […]
U.S. Tsubaki debuts new Zip Chain Linear Actuator
U.S. Tsubaki has launched its new Zip Chain Actuator. The Tsubaki Zip Chain Actuator is a revolutionary electric linear actuator that provides high speeds and multi-point stopping in a compact footprint. The Tsubaki Zip Chain Actuator is a linear actuator that “zips” together specially segmented chain using a custom designed sprocket. This “zipping” action creates […]
New linear motor features low profile, high speed
The direct-drive Linear Servo Slide system from IntelLiDrives is a linear motor solution that eliminates wear, friction, backlash and compliances associated with mechanical transmissions, such as ball and lead screws, rack & pinion, belts, and gearboxes. The Linear Motor Forcer features non-contact design and low cogging for fast and accurate positioning. A carriage support double […]
Belt driven actuators for a wide range of applications
Belt driven actuators are the workhorses of the electromechanical world, offering longer stroke lengths and faster speed capabilities than screw driven designs, with less inertia and better resistance to contamination than rack and pinion drives. And although linear motors boast better positioning accuracy than belts, the price-performance ratio of a belt driven actuator is difficult […]
Electric cylinder features zero cogging, high throughput
Moticont has added a non-commutated linear actuator to its DDLM series of low cost actuators. This new DDLM-019-070-01 Linear Actuator can develop 10.1 oz (2.8 N) of continuous force and 32.1 oz (8.9 N) of peak force at 10% duty cycle. Having a stroke of 0.960 in. (24.4 mm), this clean, fully enclosed linear actuator, […]
How to size a spline shaft: Shaft strength in bending and torsion
Choosing a shaft for a traditional linear ball bushing is relatively easy — choose the appropriate diameter, material, and hardness, check the dimensional accuracies and tolerances, and if the shaft is unsupported, perform a beam deflection calculation. But because spline shafts can withstand both radial and torque loads, it’s important to ensure the shaft strength […]
How to calculate bearing life for a ball spline
A ball spline is much like a linear ball bushing and shaft, but with axial grooves along the outer diameter of the shaft and the inner diameter of the nut. These grooves prevent rotation of the bearing (referred to as a spline nut) and allow the ball spline to transmit torque. Because a ball […]
What is stepper motor resonance and how can it be avoided?
The discrete, step-by-step movements that give a stepper motor its accurate positioning capability can also lead to some undesirable performance characteristics — namely, vibration and audible noise due to resonance. Stepper motors naturally exhibit small vibrations with each step, due to the inertia of the moving rotor, which causes the motor to slightly overshoot (or, […]
Linear guide handles higher loads, misalignment
Rollon has introduced its Compact Rail Plus — part of its new generation of high-performance linear guides. This rugged unit features a new design to handle higher loads while maintaining the Compact Rail product family’s self-aligning capabilities. Compact Rail Plus is designed for demanding applications such as those involving higher loads, high speeds, fast accelerations […]
New ball screw selection tool streamlines online product selection
Thomson Industries, Inc., has launched a new online selector tool that simplifies and streamlines the purchasing experience for its precision ball screws. The tool helps design engineers zero in on the right part quickly, access a 3D model with just a click, view pricing and lead times, easily share orderable product specifications and take advantage […]
Nanopositioning controller for piezo stages boasts 270-W peak power, nanometer-level precision
A high-power version of PI’s (Physik Instrumente) E-727 family of multi-axis piezo nanopositioning controllers provides 270 W of peak power – close to 10X of the standard version. The enhanced performance is useful for dynamic, nanometer-level precision motion and positioning applications, such as FSM (fast steering mirrors) in free space optical communication and laser material […]
What are the differences between incremental and sine-cosine encoders?
Encoders that provide incremental position measurements (whether rotary or linear) output two signals, or channels, typically termed “A” and “B,” to provide position and direction information. These output signals can be in the form of analog sine and cosine waves or in the form of digital square waves. Those that produce digital output signals are typically […]
Highly dynamic AL8000 linear motors provide flexible, modular design
Backed by its wealth of expertise in the development of rotary servomotors, Beckhoff has added an innovative product to its portfolio in the area of drive technology. The AL8000 series, a new generation of high‐performance and modular linear motors, was developed in cooperation with Fertig Motors, the dynamically growing Beckhoff subsidiary. The new AL8000 product […]
Linear actuators automate shampoo-bottle filling with less drips
Consider the equipment that fills shampoo bottles. Such filling machines use conveyors to transport empty bottles to sensor-tracked wait positions. Then they insert shampoo-dispensing nozzles into the bottles and slowly raise those nozzles as the liquid rises during dispensing. Holding a constant distance between the nozzle ends and liquid surfaces prevents the shampoo from foaming. […]
Industrial gas springs help in fight against COVID-19
Gas springs, also called gas dampers, tension springs, gas-pressure springs depending on the setup and context, are compressed-air or oil cylinders that install in motion designs to damp forces and return kinematic linkages and more complicated assemblies to default positions. Gas springs work through a piston on the end of a rod that protrudes from […]
How to calculate linear ball bushing life (and how it differs from other life calculations)
The standard life calculation for linear ball bearings is widely known as: L = bearing life (m) C = rated dynamic load (N) F = applied dynamic load (N) But linear ball bushings often experience operating conditions that aren’t accounted for in the general bearing life equation. To account for these adverse conditions, the life calculation […]