Welcome to this installment of MC² on linear guide and slide systems! Recall that these linear-motion supports take the form of guide rails, slides, and ways … and include profile rails, linear bearings, guide wheels, slides, and plain-bearing systems that bear load while employing either sliding or rolling to allow translational motion. Typical designs pair […]
New linear rotary actuator features 35-mm stroke with 5-micron encoder
The LCR16 from SMAC Moving Coil Actuators provides precision Z-theta motion within one small actuator, which is suitable for pick, orient and place applications. A wide variety of LCR16 linear rotary actuators are available with either direct drive or gearbox equipped rotary units. The vacuum-built-in shaft through the rotary motor is available for some models […]
One-piece ETX linear bearing/pillow blocks suitable for use in radioactive environments
LM76 now offers one piece ETX Linear Bearing/Pillow Blocks that will not degrade in a radioactive environment. Machined from a solid block of self-lubricating ETX, linear bearing blocks have high strength, excellent wear resistance, low coefficient of friction, and excellent dimensional stability at higher temperatures. Custom designed for use in a nuclear power plant these […]
New piezo driver with 1,200 W of power for fast switching applications
PI (Physik Instrumente) has released the new model E-619, a high-power piezo amplifier designed to drive high-capacitance multilayer piezo actuators with rapid rise times or high frequencies. As a special form of electro-ceramics, piezo materials are the gold standard when it comes to speed, force, and precision in a small package. Providing sink/source currents up […]
HEIDENHAIN’s new LC 201 single-section linear encoder for absolute applications
Long machine tool axes are increasingly being equipped with linear drives, and HEIDENHAIN’s new LC 201 absolute linear scale was introduced to specifically meet those drive position feedback needs. This new scale is a single-section METALLUR tape encoder that’s ideal for use in linear motor applications that may be required to reach high acceleration levels […]
Moving coil technology: Benefits today (and innovations on horizon)
Moving coils have been around for many years. Now though, market pressures are causing the technology to rapidly evolve and gain in use. This technology competes most directly against pneumatic drives and moving-magnet rotary motors. By Ed Neff • President | SMAC Moving Coil Actuators (MCA) Moving coil technology works in both rotary and linear […]
Moticont high-resolution electric cylinders include integrated encoder
SDLM-025-070-01-01 and SDLM-025-070-01-05 direct drive linear motors from Moticont, also known as electric cylinders, have built-in encoders, and feature high acceleration, high speed, high resolution, zero backlash, and zero cogging. These compact direct-drive linear motors with quiet linear plain bearings are just 1.00 in. (25.4 mm) in diameter and 2.75 in (69.9 mm) long. Protected […]
Parker Hannifin high-precision electromechanical solutions at Photonics West 2019
Parker’s Electromechanical and Drives Division will be exhibiting at SPIE Photonics West 2019 in San Francisco, February 5 to 7, 2019. Every year, more than 20,000 attendees come to the world’s largest photonics technologies event to learn about the latest research as well as find the latest devices and systems that use new technologies to […]
When did the most common linear-actuator options come about?
This is the first of several technical notes on the technology known as moving coil actuators. Here we provide a brief history of linear actuators used in automation — and hint at where moving coil actuators are suitable. By Ed Neff • President | SMAC Moving Coil Actuators (MCA) Hydraulic actuators came first. These […]
Enclosed PHD Plus Series ESU electric-belt-driven base slides
PHD Inc. now sells PHD Plus Series ESU electric-belt-driven base slides. The Series ESU Electric Belt-Driven Base Slides feature a robust, enclosed design with a high capacity rail bearing system delivering exceptional moment and load capability. Available in three sizes, with travels lengths up to 5,500 mm and speeds to 5,000 mm/s, these electric base […]
Dunkermotoren launches compact linear motor with double peak force
With the SA/SC 38 series, Dunkermotoren presents a new modular concept for tubular linear direct drives. The highly dynamic three-phase linear motors deliver up to 3,690 N and accelerate at over 200 m/sec2. The modular design is currently available as actuator version SA (with maintenance-free plain bearing system) and component version SC (for modules). If […]
Official opening of SERAPID Group subsidiary SERAPID Singapore Pty. Ltd.
As part of its international growth strategy, SERAPID Group (a leading supplier of lifts, quick-die-change, and horizontal transfer systems) has opened a new regional office in Singapore. Mr. Robert Degenkolb, formerly of JR Clancy, is joining the organization as Managing Director. Robert has 32 years of experience in the entertainment industry in project management and […]
What are some considerations for linear actuators in contaminated environments?
Reliable motion is often difficult to obtain when the operating environment is heavily contaminated with debris, or contains extreme conditions such as a wide temperature range or other environmental factors.The use of machinery for operations such as cutting, welding, and material processing often generates a substantial amount of debris contamination. Equipment that is not designed […]
The top 5 articles on Linear Motion Tips for 2018
It’s the end of another calendar year here at linearmotiontips.com and what better time than now to do a bit of reflection. It’s an opportunity to do a reckoning of sorts and find out what you, our readers, liked most. So here is a short list of the top 5 most viewed posts published in […]
Low-profile XY open-aperture stage features 1 micron resolution, 2 micron repeatability
OES (Optimal-Engineering Systems, Inc.) has added a new, high-precision open aperture stage to its expanding line of precision XY stages. The AU200-100×100 stage is a low profile stage measuring just 80 mm (3.150 in.) high with a compact footprint (including the motors) of 348 mm x 348 mm (13.701 in. x 13.701 in.) The linear […]
Under development: Linear stroke-extending technology from Ascending Power
In a recent email exchange with London-based John Hammerbeck of Ascending Power, we learned more about a novel new linear-motion extension technology from the company. The actuator steps up a short input stroke to a long output stroke using either kinematic linkages or permanent magnets. Below is a SolidWorks animation of the linkage variation; depending […]
Thomson online product sizing and selection tool for linear-motion systems
Thomson Industries has enhanced its Linear MOTIONEERING product -sizing and selection tool for linear motion systems. The tool reduces time for component selection from hours to less than 15 minutes. The upgraded resource also incorporates the RediMount motor mounting adapter kit — the default standard for Thomson linear motion systems and precision linear actuators. The […]
Compact voice-coil motors from Moticont with 1.0-in. diameters for myriad stroke requirements
Moticont now sells linear voice coil motors (LVCMs) in two 1-in. (25.4-mm) diameter motors. • The LVCM-025-022-01 has a stroke length of 0.375 in. (9.5 mm) a mid-stroke length of 1.30 in. (33 mm) and a high-force-to-size ratio of 16.9 oz (4.7 N) and a peak force of 53.5 oz. (14.9 N) at 10% duty […]
High-force iron-core brushless linear motor from H2W Technologies
H2W engineers have developed a compact high force brushless linear motor (BLSM-1F) that can generate 300 lb (1330 N) at a 10% duty cycle and 100 lb (444 N) at a 100% duty cycle, and, when used with a matching magnet track (BLST-FSX). The mass of the coil assembly is 19 lb (9 kg) which […]
New SMAC LBL25 linear actuators — fast, cost-competitive, and stackable
SMAC Moving Coil Actuators now sells LBL series linear actuators — price competitive with ball screw and high-cycle-rate air cylinders thanks to a simple no-milling plate design. The LBL design features flat printed coil and single-piece, screw down magnets. It’s equipped with SMAC proprietary encoder and gives more than 100 million cycle expected life. Starting […]
Motorized linear X-axis plus rotary positioning stages from OES
Optimal Engineering Systems, Inc. (OES) has released a new series of high precision X-axis stages with integral rotary positioning stages. The four X-and-theta stages in this series feature linear travels of: 15 mm (0.591 in.), 30 mm (1.181 in.), 50 mm (1.968 in.) and 75 mm (2.953 in.). The rotary table is capable of continuous […]
ANCA Motion expands high-performance tubular linear motor line
The LinX M-series linear motor features an integrated position sensor with 10 um of resolution, eliminating the need for an external encoder, simplifying system design and reducing overall cost. Modular design of the heatsink and end-caps enables flexibility in system integration. The motor produces a continuous force range of 90 to 160 N and a […]
Choosing the right stage actuation for dynamic-metrology applications
When measurements are made to discrete product on the fly, it’s key that the motion system minimize error and correct for the rest. Brian Handerhan | Business development manager • Life sciences Patrick Lehr | Product manager • Precision mechanics Electromechanical & Drives Division • Parker Hannifin Corp. Dynamic metrology is the collection of data […]
Belt-driven electric actuators from IMI Norgren offer precise control
A new line of belt-driven electric actuators from IMI Norgren is designed to meet the force and extreme loading requirements for machine builders and plant engineers looking for an alternative to pneumatic actuators. NB27 single rail belt-driven linear actuator features a unique arc belt technology that improves traction for higher thrust. These single rail actuators […]
What are roller chain wear indicators?
Rollers chains, as a mechanical power transmission method, and like any mechanical system, are subject to wear over time and with continued use. Just how much it wears depends on a number of factors including whether or not the chain is properly lubricated and the amount of loading, among other things. So how does one […]