Both LVDTs (linear variable differential transformers) and resolvers are measuring devices that convert displacement into an electrical signal. As its name implies, an LVDT is used for linear measurement, while a resolver is used to measure rotary, or angular, displacement. In terms of construction and operation, the most significant similarity between an LVDT and a […]
SCHNEEBERGER announces SFERAX Type H.L. linear ball bearing
SCHNEEBERGER Inc. has announced the availability of the new SFERAX Type H.L. linear ball bearing — featuring high-quality engineering at a competitive value point. Developed to support a linear bearing under high loads and high radial torques, the new SFERAX Type H.L. linear ball bearing is ideal for uses ranging from peripheral devices to assembly […]
Ultrasonic sensors for linear position and distance measuring
In nature, some animals — such as bats and dolphins — analyze the echo of a sound or call (a process known as echolocation) to navigate or to find prey. In industrial applications, ultrasonic sensors use the analysis of echos from ultrasonic waves to determine the presence, position, or distance of an object. Ultrasonic waves are […]
Haydon Kerk Pittman launches compact Z-Theta motion platform
As a world leader in compact linear motion systems, Haydon Kerk Pittman, a business unit of AMETEK Advanced Motion Solutions division, is pleased to announce the release of the new Z-Theta motion platform. The Z-Theta offers linear and rotary point-to-point motion in a compact footprint, providing flexibility, value, durability, and performance suited for a host […]
Three easy ways to specify application requirements for linear motion systems
The first step in any automation project is to clearly define the objective — what process are you trying to accomplish or what output are you trying to produce? Once the process or output is defined, it’s time to dig into the details of the application so you can choose the right components or systems […]
Sourcing linear motion solutions from NSK’s global manufacturing sites
High-precision linear guides are an important product group for NSK’s Linear Motion Technology (Seiki) management unit. As a specialist in this field, the company meets the requirements of many demanding market sectors, including the machine tool industry. Many of the linear guides supplied to European customers operating in high-precision, high-quality sectors are application-specific or adaptations […]
Ride the wave of electrification: Off-highway designs with linear actuators
The transition of mobile machinery and off-highway equipment away from fossil fuels may be a long-term goal, but electrification is already delivering real benefits in the sector. By Tarek Bugaighis • Ewellix Is the era of the internal combustion engine coming to end? Under pressure to reduce harmful emissions, the automotive industry is already gearing […]
What are capacitive sensors and where are they used?
Linear position feedback devices — also referred to as linear encoders — typically measure travel distances ranging from a few dozen millimeters to several meters. But when a positioning system has a very short travel — a few millimeters or less — traditional linear encoders are often too bulky or don’t provide the required measuring resolution. […]
What factors contribute to air bearing stiffness?
According to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), stiffness is: The capacity of a mechanical system to sustain external loads without excessive changes of its geometry (deformations). When we think of stiffness in traditional bearings with rolling elements, we’re typically considering the deflection of the carriage when a load is applied. For air bearings, […]
Rails, screw assemblies boast 20,000 km travel without relubrication
The BSHP ball rail systems and BASA ball screw assemblies from Bosch Rexroth now achieve lubrication intervals that are up to four times longer. In more and more applications, they can even be used maintenance-free over the entire service life of a component. As a result, low-maintenance or maintenance-free linear motion technology minimizes operating costs […]
When should you use a bronze lead screw nut?
Lead screw manufacturers offer nuts in a wide array of materials, including various plastics and grades of bronze. And while plastics garner a lot of attention for their versatility and range of suitable applications, lead screw nuts made of bronze are especially well-suited for applications with high loads or extremely high (or low) temperatures. Plastic […]
What are low outgassing materials for linear motion components in vacuum applications
Outgassing — the release of gas or vapor from a material through desorption, sublimation (the transition of a material from solid directly to gas), or evaporation — is a critical parameter for materials used in vacuum environments. These gasses and vapors can affect the pressure (or level of vacuum) in the vacuum chamber, and outgassed compounds […]
New SureMotion LAHP Series linear actuators and slides from AutomationDirect
The SureMotion LAHP series linear actuators, slides, and accessories are XYZ gantry components that allow creation of a motion system with up to three axes of movement. These motor-ready linear actuators and sliding components have travel lengths of up to 910 mm. They turn rotary motion into linear motion and provide a variety of X-Y […]
Gothic arches, tracks, and roller bearings in the context of linear motion
Industry terminology used to describe linear guides and other linear components widely varies. Here we explain three linear-guide phrases and words having multiple meanings — and differentiate how they relate to track-roller linear guides and profiled-rail linear guides. Let’s start by reviewing the multiple linear-motion meanings for Gothic-arch linear bearing. Gothic arches originate from civil […]
Functional safety (and IIoT connectivity) from linear brakes
In a recent Design World feature, we covered the basics of how functional safety is quantified … and what constitutes a servo-brake option with functional-safety certification. Here we share more details on the construction of safety brakes for linear axes and the intersection of brake safety and IIoT capabilities. Machine safety is core to nearly […]
Curtiss-Wright launches motor support program for Exlar Universal Actuators
Curtiss-Wright’s Actuation Division today announced the release of its new ASSIGN motor program for Exlar FTX and FTP Series actuators. These high-force/duty cycle, electric, rod-style actuators now provide the ability to support the mounting of almost any motor. The Exlar FTX Series actuators offer continuous load force ratings to 178 kN (40,000 lbf), speeds to […]
HEIDENHAIN expands popular kit encoder series for better motion control
HEIDENHAIN is proud to introduce a new high accuracy motion feedback encoder that can now be used for absolute positioning in machines in the semiconductor, metrology and robotic industries. This new LIC 3100 absolute kit encoder is an additional offering that fits between HEIDENHAIN’s already successful LIC 4100 and 2100 series. It is expected to be […]
Direct-drive rotary servo tables feature large aperture
The ACR-490UT precision rotation stage from IntelLiDrives is a low-profile rotary table with high-speed direct-drive rotary servo motor that features a large 490-mm center aperture and lightweight construction. This makes it a suitable choice for a host of applications, from precision indexing to high-speed laser machining to handling large diameter silicon wafers for semiconductor processing. […]
How to make linear motion systems cleanroom compatible
While we often talk about the importance of keeping contamination out of linear motion components such as linear guides and screws, when these systems are used in a cleanroom, the goal is just the opposite — to keep these components from introducing contamination into the environment. What exactly is a cleanroom? According to ISO 14644-1:2015, […]
Mapping tool optimizes gear rack assembly to maximize positioning accuracy
The positioning accuracy of a rack & pinion drive is dependent on the cumulative pitch error inherent in each gear rack used. For long travel lengths, this cumulative pitch error can add up quickly and dramatically affect the positioning accuracy of the axis. ATLANTA now offers “digital” gear racks and a smartphone app that when […]
Renishaw launches the FORTiS range of next-generation enclosed linear absolute encoders
Renishaw, the global metrology specialist, launches the innovative FORTiS enclosed linear absolute encoder series, for use in harsh environments such as machine tools. The FORTiS design is built upon industry-proven RESOLUTE encoder technology and provides high resistance to the ingress of liquids and solid debris contaminants. It features an extruded enclosure with longitudinally attached interlocking […]
Multi-axis motion sub-system boasts nanometer resolution
The new X-417 multi-axis motion sub-system from PI (Physik Instrumente) boasts nanometer resolution, absolute encoders, fast configuration, delivery, and set-up. It’s suitable for a broad range of industrial precision motion applications, including precision automation, laser processing, test and inspection, medical manufacturing, and semiconductor testing. Machine builders and system integrators can move faster and address new, […]
Anti-friction miniature linear guides from PM B.V. now come with a variety of cage options
When building miniature linear-motion systems, design engineers can choose between ball and crossed-roller linear guides. When applied to precision systems, most all of these linear guides have cages to prevent shifting of the anti-friction rolling elements during operation … especially when these linear guides are applied in exacting microscopy, manipulator, and image-scanner applications — for […]
How do miniature profiled rail guides compare to their full-size counterparts?
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 […]