PI (Physik Instrumente) has released a new 250-page catalog on precision mechatronic actuators and nanopositioning systems based on piezo drive technology and frictionless flexure guiding systems. Products covered in this catalog use PI’s in-house designed and manufactured Mars Rover-tested piezo ceramic actuators as their drive principle. A special form of electro-ceramics, piezo actuators deliver a […]
What is a hollow core linear voice coil motor?
A linear voice coil motor (also referred to as a “voice coil actuator” or “linear DC motor”) is a simple yet very precise type of electric motor, consisting of just two primary parts – a coil and a magnet. When current is applied to the coil, a force is generated. The magnitude of the force […]
3DP leadscrew nut insert from Haydon Kerk boosts accuracy of 3D-printed prototypes
Now, a 3DP (3D-printed) leadscrew-nut insert prototype service from AMETEK Haydon Kerk gives machine builders a way to verify linear-motion design iterations quickly and more accurately. Engineers typically do not have access to 3D printers to do this prototyping. Instead, most of them contract with a third party to get quick turnaround on parts. With […]
What is a planetary roller screw?
Screw drives are some of the most common methods of mechanical linear actuation. And planetary roller screws are one of several screw types, including lead screws and ball screws. Planetary roller screws use threaded rollers that are toothed to mesh with geared rings at each end of a nut. The rollers spin on their axes […]
SMAC Moving Coil Actuators announces IP-rated products
SMAC Moving Coil Actuators has revealed the details for their dustproof and waterproof, IP65/IP67 product line. SMAC’s IP-rated products include the CBL35/CBL35C series electric cylinder, the CBL50/CBL50C series electric cylinder, the LAL95 series linear actuator, and the LCA50 series linear actuator. All dustproof and waterproof SMAC moving coil actuators include the ability to do work […]
New direct-drive linear motor stages deliver sub-nm resolution
Physik Instrumente (PI) has released a new precision feedback option for its linear stages equipped with direct-drive ironless three-phase motors. The V-551 family of ultra-precision positioning stages is equipped with precision crossed roller bearings featuring anti-creep cage assist and guiding accuracy of 1 µm straightness/flatness per 100 mm. Two types of position feedback systems are […]
ETEL now sells semiconductor-oriented stacked XY motion stage
CHARON2 is the newest addition to ETEL motion setups, following the premiere that took place during the 2017 SEMICON West trade show. This is a semiconductor-oriented stacked XY motion stage, backward compatible with existing modules and options. The CHARON2 design extends CHARON use cases into the space of higher dynamics and larger payloads, with more […]
High-power 35DBM can-stack linear actuator from Portescap
Portescap now sells 35DBM high-power stepper can-stack linear actuators. These 35-mm linear stepper motors offer an enhanced design suitable for applications demanding high linear force. The new 35DBM features an optimized magnetic circuit powered by high energy neodymium magnets. The 7.5 deg step angle provides finer incremental movement with a high degree of accuracy and […]
Fast, compact micro-positioning stages powered by ultrasonic motors
A new family of compact linear and rotary stages from PI (Physik Instrumente) is driven by ceramic direct-drive motors. The patented ultrasonic motors provide smooth motion with high resolution and a high dynamic range. The self-clamping motor principle locks the stage into place, devoid of creep, once a target position has been reached. This intrinsic […]
Electric actuators double the eject speed of pneumatic actuators
SMAC Moving Coil Actuators reached a cycle rate of 2400 ppm (40 Hz) with their new LCB model electric actuator, meeting the target set by several leading packaging OEM’s. The fastest pneumatic actuators generally reach a peak speed of 1200 ppm. By doubling the speed of pneumatic actuators, SMAC can greatly improve the efficiency of […]
What is cogging in linear motors?
Linear motors are generally classified by the construction of the motor’s primary part: ironless or iron core. In an ironless linear motor, the windings of the primary are embedded in an epoxy resin, whereas the windings of an iron core linear motor are mounted in an iron lamination stack. The lamination contains teeth, or protrusions, […]
Microstepping basics
Microstepping is a method of controlling stepper motors, typically used to achieve higher resolution or smoother motion at low speeds. Stepper motors move in discreet steps, or fractions of a revolution. For example, a stepper motor with a 1.8 degree step angle will make 200 steps for every full revolution of the motor (360 ÷ […]
AMK SPINDASYN SEZ linear drive motor — rotor is integrated with screw
The new SPINDASYN SEZ electric cylinder from AMK Automation is a ready-to-install linear drive motor system in which the rotor is pressed directly onto the screw. Featuring high and constant force, high precision and position accuracy and high energy efficiency, the closed-loop positioning and force control of the SEZ make it an suitable alternative to […]
How to improve ball screw rigidity
Ball screw rigidity depends not only on the screw shaft and ball nut, but also on the thrust bearings and on the ball nut and bearing housings. Where: Rtot = Rigidity of the screw system (N/μm) RS = Rigidity of the screw shaft (N/μm) RN = Rigidity of the ball nut (N/μm) RB = Rigidity of the […]
PID design using frequency-domain methods
With motion control applications, a PID or proportional + integral + derivative controller is often implemented using tuning or by a trial-and-error process on the shop floor. But modeling of the motion control system allows analytical derivation of the PID controller terms. By Tom Radigan | Advanced Motion Concepts Inc. Modeling a motion control system […]
New video: Parker mSR actuators and stages for sub-micron precision
In a recent video shoot with our esteemed colleague Paul Heney, I got the chance to experiment with miniature square-rail linear positioners from the mSR actuator series. Designed and manufactured by the Electromechanical & Drives Division of Parker Hannifin, this series of guided linear-motor driven positioners is engineered to deliver modularity and performance in a compact […]
Guide Master from Samick Precision Industry: The masterpiece of precision guides
Guide Master was developed to meet market demands for precision applications such as semiconductor, LCD, LED, and secondary battery production processes. The masterpiece of precision guides Features of Guide Master linear guide include: Higher load capacity: With 8 rows of needle bearings in its octagonal design, Guide Master has more points of contact between post and […]
Common applications for air bearings
Air bearings offer numerous advantages over mechanical bearings such as profiled linear guides and crossed roller slides. But they are still considered by many designers and engineers to be a high-cost solution, primarily for niche applications that require extreme precision. However, their benefits include more than just high precision, and cost is being driven down […]
What are V-belt pitch length and datum length?
The length of a V-belt can be specified in several ways, including outside length, effective length, and pitch (or datum) length. Outside length is measured around the belt’s outer diameter with no tension, but is only an approximation and is not useful for sizing or selection. Effective length is measured at the effective outside diameter […]
Maximizing performance of precision motion stages in industrial applications
Motion controller and drive features can address the natural behavior of motion stages that can otherwise degrade throughput and accuracy — including those arising from mechanical resonances, inertia mismatch, motor cogging, backlash, friction effects, and encoder signal distortion. By Jason Goerges and Boaz Kramer • ACS Motion Control Precision motion stages operate in industrial applications […]
PI intros compact 6-axis motion controller for high-precision positioning
PI (Physik Instrumente) has released a new 6-axis servo motor controller, the C-884 DC. Most modern precision motion systems are driven by servo motors, because they provide high torque, fast acceleration, smooth motion with a wide dynamic speed range, and fast start stop performance. PI’s compact C-884 DC motion controller can run brushless servo motors […]
Pulley balancing for belt drive systems: Is it always necessary?
As a pulley rotates, centrifugal forces act on the pulley, and if its mass is not evenly distributed around the axis of rotation – that is, if it is unbalanced – these centrifugal forces will also be unbalanced and cause the pulley to vibrate. (Uneven mass distribution can be due to imperfections in machining or […]
Gen 2 linear slide actuators from AutomationDirect
AutomationDirect has added second generation (Gen 2) linear motion slide actuators to its SureMotion line of motion control products. The SureMotion lineup includes both motor-ready actuator assemblies and an assortment of sliding components and accessories to provide a wide variety of motion control solutions for X-Y and X-Y-Z positioning systems. The new Gen 2 Compact […]
Linear motion FDA wash-down compliant components selection guide from LM76
A helpful component selection guide from LM76, “Linear Bearings, 6 Simple Steps – FDA Compliance, Wash Down Compliance,” details the linear motion components available from LM76 that are FDA/UDSA/3A-Dairy compliant. Included are: Foodstream electrodeless nickel plated pillow blocks, PTFE lined stainless steel bearings, ceramic coated linear bearings, self-aligning corrosion resistant linear ball bearings, and Thomson® […]
New catalog of custom engineered precision motion systems from PI
PI (Physik Instrumente) offers a new catalog on capabilities regarding engineered motion and automation solutions for high-tech industries such as photonics, precision optics, semiconductor and medical engineering. What sets PI’s engineered motion systems division apart is their in-house access to the broadest and deepest portfolio of precision motion technologies. Creative-thinking engineers with vast experience selecting […]