Comparing rack and pinion drives with other linear drives such as belts and ball screws shows that sometimes simplicity can be the ultimate sophistication. YYC North America These days engineers have quite a few options for actuation in a linear motion system. From various screw drives to linear motors to hydraulic systems, each comes with […]
What are the benefits of six-row linear bearings
The most common types of recirculating linear bearings use four rows of balls — two on each side of the bearing block — to provide good load capacity and rigidity. But the four-row design means that when radial (downward or liftoff) or lateral (side) loads are applied, only two rows of balls are engaged to support […]
Contact angle: What is it and how does it affect linear bearing performance?
In profiled rail linear guides that use balls or rollers, the geometry and arrangement of the bearing raceways play a significant role in the bearing’s load capacity, friction, rigidity, and ability to withstand errors in mounting. But there’s another aspect of a bearing’s design that also plays a role in its load capacity and rigidity […]
How to choose a lubricant for recirculating linear bearings
All metal-on-metal recirculating bearings require lubrication in order to function properly and provide a reasonable bearing life. Lubrication reduces friction and heat by separating the rolling elements from the bearing raceway, inhibits corrosion, protects bearing surfaces from contamination, and helps seals run smoothly and operate effectively. Although the importance of lubrication is clear, choosing the best […]
Renishaw’s on-machine tool measurement features expanded range, improved repeatability
Building on the success of the original NC4+ Blue, the latest evolution of the non-contact tool setter features an ultra-compact design and is now available in four sizes, with operating gaps ranging from 55 to 240 mm. Measurement repeatability has also been improved across the range, now down to +/- 0.5 micron on smaller separations. […]
Open aperture voice coil stages with 1.20 inch travel and 25.4 micron resolution
Moticont’s HCDS-051-064 series of open aperture voice coil stages are linear DC motor driven stages. Designed for closed loop servo operation, an integral quadrature optical encoder with differential outputs is standard. The stages are clean, quiet, and efficient, with low inertia, high acceleration, and high speed. Each stage has a built-in home switch for accurate […]
Causes of tooth shear in synchronous belts, and how to avoid it
Synchronous belts transmit power via positive engagement between belt teeth and pulley grooves, making them suitable for applications that require high torque and making them less prone than traditional V-belts to slip in dynamic applications. But even synchronous belts can experience failure if they’re not installed, maintained, and applied properly. One way that toothed belts […]
What are common applications for hybrid stepper motor linear actuators?
When it comes to electromechanical linear actuators, integrated designs offer space savings, reduced complexity, and lower total cost of ownership with fewer parts required for repair or replacement. One such design that’s found multiple uses in medical, 3D printing, and assembly applications is the hybrid stepper motor linear actuator, which combines a ball or lead […]
Real-time special machining configuration added to online shaft selector tool
Thomson Industries, Inc. has added a real-time special machining configuration capability to its online shaft selector tool. The new functionality lets customers reduce the time spent in customizing round rail shafting for their application needs to mere minutes instead of hours or even days. Typically, a customer uses the Thomson shaft selector to specify materials, […]
How axial and radial loads affect linear motion systems
In any motion system, understanding the type and direction of applied and resultant loads is important for determining bearing life and analyzing deflection. In linear motion systems, we typically use Cartesian coordinates (X, Y, and Z) to define the placement and direction of loads. But for rotating components such as screws, rack and pinion drives, […]
Piezo motors vs. voice coil actuators for micron and sub-micron positioning
Applications that require micron or sub-micron level positioning with extremely smooth motion and control often call for a direct drive system — linear motor, piezo motor, or voice coil actuator. Linear motor stages are typically used when high forces are needed over stroke lengths greater than a few hundred millimeters. But for high-precision applications with […]
New motor/actuator with integral controls from Curtiss-Wright
The newest motor/actuators with integral controls from Curtiss-Wright’s Actuation Division, the Exlar SA-R080 rotary and SA-L080 linear actuator, are the first 80-mm frame size in the harsh environment control and sense family of industrial electromechanical actuators from Curtiss-Wright. The SA series actuators offer force, precision, energy efficiency, and control while minimizing the additional cabling, external […]
Actuator delivers high-performance linear positioning at an affordable price
SCHNEEBERGER Inc.’s new SLA Actuator delivers high-performance linear positioning at an economical price. SLA Actuators use recirculating ball linear guides that ensure smooth motion and high load capacity. They feature a lightweight precision aluminum base, offer easy assembly, and are stackable without additional brackets. The actuators are highly customizable to meet the demands of virtually any precision linear […]
NEMA 23 frame size added to ElectroCraft stepper linear actuator line
ElectroCraft, Inc. has added a new NEMA 23 frame size to its AxialPower Enhanced Series Stepper Linear Actuator product line. ElectroCraft enhanced series linear actuators have been available in a NEMA11 frame size for several years but are now being offered in both NEMA17 and NEMA23 frames for greatly enhanced performance capabilities. In addition to […]
How to account for rack and pinion inertia during system design
Rack and pinion drives are often used in applications that require stroke lengths beyond the practical limits of ball screws and thrust forces that exceed the capabilities of belt drives. And in some applications, rack and pinion systems can also provide lower total inertia than a suitable ball screw or belt drive alternative, which can […]
Low-cost linear actuators feature zero cogging, high throughput
Moticont has added their highest force linear actuator to their DDLM Linear Actuator Series. The DDLM-038-051-01 Linear Actuator is a low-cost, non-commutated linear actuator that easily integrates into new and existing applications, and is the ideal choice when upgrading from a pneumatic system. Compact, clean, and quiet, this fully enclosed linear actuator, also referred to […]
Linear motion basics: 13 fundamental topics you need to know
Whether you’re new to designing and sizing linear motion systems, or you could just use a refresher, we’ve gathered all the articles that cover mechanical concepts used in linear motion systems and put them together here, as a sort of “linear motion basics” reference guide. Unlike our curated lists of articles that address sizing and […]
What factors contribute to friction in linear motion systems?
Designers and engineers typically try to avoid or mitigate friction in linear motion systems. Although friction isn’t always bad — in some applications, it can provide a damping effect and help improve servo tuning — when it comes to linear motion systems, it increases the amount of force required to move a load, creates heat, […]
New sense-and-control actuator model added to Curtiss-Wright Smart Actuator series
Curtiss-Wright’s Actuation Division announced the release of its newest motor/actuators with integral controls, the Exlar SA-R080 rotary and SA-L080 linear actuator. The SA-080 is the first frame size (80 mm) in the harsh environment control and sense family of industrial electromechanical actuators from Curtiss-Wright. The SA series actuators offer force, precision, energy efficiency, and control […]
Motion basics: What are degrees of freedom (DOF) and how many are there?
To identify the position of an object in three-dimensional space, we use a coordinate system that defines three axes: X, Y, and Z. If the object is a point mass, we only need three coordinates (X, Y, and Z) to locate its position. But a rigid body can both move, or translate, along these three […]
How does hysteresis affect piezo actuator performance?
Piezo actuators operate on the principle that application of an electric field (voltage) induces strain (displacement) in the material — a phenomenon known as the inverse piezoelectric effect. But if you plot the strain versus the electric field of a piezo material, you’ll see that the strain doesn’t follow the same path when the field […]
Single-axis linear stepper stages with integrated encoder and electronics package
H2W now offers a revolutionary series of single-axis linear stepper stages that integrates a linear encoder into the stage to operate the linear stepper motor as a 2-phase brushless motor when coupled with an advanced motion control electronics package provided by H2W. When operated this way, the motors will tend to run cooler, as they […]
Integrated connector now available for AMETEK Haydon Kerk Pittman’s hybrid actuators
As a world leader in compact linear motion systems, Haydon Kerk Pittman, a business unit of AMETEK’s Advanced Motion Solutions Division, is pleased to announce its size 8 21mm hybrid stepper motor is now available with an integrated connector. Offered alone or with a harness assembly, the connector is RoHS-compliant and features a positive latch […]
Application-based tool from Thomson optimizes online ball-screw sizing and selection
Thomson Industries, Inc. has launched an online ball screw sizing and selection tool to give motion designers fast, intuitive and precisely calculated ball screw solutions for their linear motion designs. The Linear Motioneering tool not only simplifies and streamlines the sizing and selection process, it also provides the designer more direct, self-serve access to decades […]
What makes a linear stage different from other types of linear motion systems?
Linear motion systems — consisting of a base or housing, a guide system, and a driving mechanism — are available in a wide variety of designs and configurations to suit almost any application. And because their designs are so varied, they’re often categorized according to key construction and operating principles. Case in point: The term […]