Linear Motion Tips

NewTek has released the NTC-6000 Qwik-Cal LVDT signal conditioner, which adds digital outputs to existing LVDT sensors. The unit lets facilities connect legacy LVDTs, RVDTs and LVRT half-bridge sensors to digital control systems, automation networks or IIoT platforms without replacing the sensors. Many analog sensors can be difficult to connect to modern control systems, and […]

THK has introduced the 7th Axis Robot Transfer Unit RK, a linear transfer system designed to extend the working range of collaborative robots. The unit uses caged-ball LM Guides mounted on a rigid aluminum extrusion body. A rack-and-pinion drive supports long-stroke travel. The mounting table is sized to accommodate FANUC CRX series CoBots, including the […]

Rollon has launched the HGT-MG telescopic rail, an addition to its HGT product range. The new version includes a redesigned ball cage and synchronization magnets to improve load handling, extension smoothness and durability. Advanced synchronization technology The HGT-MG is available in sizes 60 and 80 and uses a ball cage with reduced pitch and end […]

Optimal Engineering Systems has released a new series of Alpha-Beta “V” dual-axis goniometer stages. The stages are arranged with one axis perpendicular to the other, allowing positioning for inspection, mirror alignment and camera or laser orientation. The lower, horizontal-axis stage provides ±10 degrees of rotation. The upper, vertical-axis stage includes a 65 mm by 65 […]

norelem has expanded its portfolio to include electric cylinders and precision IO-Link servo actuators as an alternative to pneumatic cylinders. These components are intended for applications in mechanical engineering and medical technology that require precise linear motion. The electric cylinders from norelem combine a brushless servo motor, a servo controller and a recirculating ball spindle […]

Rollon has introduced the HGT-MG telescopic rail, an addition to its HGT product range. The new version includes a redesigned ball cage and synchronization magnets to support load handling, improve extension smoothness and increase durability. Advanced synchronization technology The HGT-MG is available in sizes 60 and 80 and features a newly engineered ball cage with […]

LINAK’s new LA21 electric actuator targets OEM demands for compact design, precise motion and reliable performance in challenging conditions. Faster cycles and consistent results The LA21 is the fastest actuator in its size class, combining high speed with low backlash and a high position resolution for precise, repeatable motion. This supports shorter cycle times, stable […]

Speed is of the essence for packaging machines: Products must be filled, reliably sealed, and prepared for shipping in the shortest possible cycles. Ideally, maintenance and unplanned downtime are rare to keep the total cost of ownership low. The list of requirements is long and applies to the packaging machine itself and its components, such […]

PI has introduced the V-573, a new series of linear positioning stages featuring high-precision guidance and frictionless 3-phase linear motors. With 80nm bidirectional repeatability, 1g acceleration, and 500mm/s velocity, the V-573 family offers precise motion control suited for production environments. Designed for XY configurations, the stages integrate with PI’s ACS-based EtherCAT motion controllers, using advanced […]

In the first installment of this series, we covered the reasons why off-highway applications are primed for electrification — especially those vehicles with lots of axes that deliver relatively slow yet high-torque (or force) motion. Where the axes on a piece of off-highway or other equipment are linear, electric actuators have in some cases replaced […]

Advances in electronics, battery technologies, and motors themselves have spurred electrification in various industries. Off-highway applications lead. Electrification in the design-engineering space implies the use of electric motors to replace technologies based on fossil fuels, fluid power, purely mechanical kinematics, or even manual (human-powered) systems. Fields leading in electrification are transportation distantly followed by manufacturing, […]

Following a few simple steps helps smooth the process of converting from hydraulic to electric actuators. Robert Johansson Industry Manager Thomson Industries In the age-old debate about hydraulic vs. electric, present-day consensus is that there is a place for both actuator technologies in a wide industrial landscape. However, increasingly, electric actuators, as they’ve evolved to […]

Rollon and Skyward Experimental Rocketry, a student association at Politecnico di Milano, marked four years of collaboration. Rollon is providing technical support and motion solutions for the team’s Orion rocket, which will be launched at the 2025 European Rocketry Challenge (EuRoC), a university-level rocketry competition in Europe. Orion, the successor to last year’s Lyra, is […]

Battery production requires fast, efficient, and repeatable processes. Linear guides play a crucial role here, as they must dynamically move and position different loads with precision. The following tips from Bosch Rexroth show how engineers can optimally meet the industry’s diverse requirements along the value stream. 1. Select resistant materials for dry rooms and electrolyte […]

PI (Physik Instrumente) announces the release of the F-690.S1 SpaceFAB, a high-performance 6-axis motorized positioning stage platform, designed for advanced automation tasks that demand high speed, precision, and reliability. The F-690.S1 is built on a unique hybrid kinematic design featuring three symmetrically arranged XY nanopositioning stages with direct-drive linear motors and cross-roller bearings. Each stage […]

IKO International’s new PD…S X-Y parallel drive stage removes the barriers that often exist in the work area during equipment design. With the PD…S, machine designers can achieve highly accurate positioning without sacrificing workability and performance. Unlike typical X-Y stages layered with one-shaft actuators that make access from the outside difficult due to cables and […]

The TE1 Series of absolute linear position sensors from Novotechnik U.S. feature an integrated microprocessor and associated circuitry to provide signal conditioning for a current or voltage output signal. The signal conditioned output enables the TE1 Series to have long cable runs without substantial signal loss and can be connected directly to the analog input […]

PI has expanded its PICMA piezo stack actuator series with the launch of new encapsulated PICMA actuators. Piezo actuators use solid-state motion to deliver high speed, high force, and virtually unlimited resolution, suitable for precision positioning and alignment applications. The new encapsulated actuators offer travel ranges from 56 to 132 µm and blocking force of […]

The sub-micron AU200-50×50 Open Aperture Alignment Stage from Optimal Engineering Systems, Inc. (OES) features a 90 x 90 mm open aperture. The linear travel of the X and Y axes is 50 x 50mm, and the resolution of each axis is 5 microns (non-micro-step) or 0.5 microns (with 10 micro-steps per step motor driver in […]

Once a niche hobby, simulation or sim racing has attracted a growing number of enthusiasts seeking virtual motorsport experiences. The popularity surge has fueled demand for professional-grade simulation hardware that accurately replicates real-world racing-vehicle physics, track environments, and driver tactile feedback. Automotive, truck, and flight-simulator R&D and build integrator Sigma Integrale serves this market with […]

By following a few best practices, machine builders can design automation systems that increase equipment availability, achieve new levels of performance, and elevate product quality. Florent Orget Actuator Product Marketing Manager Emerson As more manufacturers digitally transform and automate their production lines, they are gaining a clearer picture of their operations and machine health. And […]

Linear-motion component features are key to long-term reliability in demanding environments and applications. By Eric Falasco • Product manager | Bosch Rexroth Manufacturers and end users continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible with linear motion technology in extreme applications. The need for solutions that transport objects faster and with heavier payloads isn’t restricted […]

SCHNEEBERGER has established a production facility for its industry-leading mineral-casting technology in Rock Hill, S.C. This expansion brings the company closer to design engineers, enabling faster and more economical delivery of its mineral cast machine bases. Production is scheduled to begin onsite by Q4 2025. This strategic investment aligns with SCHNEEBERGER’s key long-term objectives. First […]

Actuonix Motion Devices has introduced the L8 series micro linear actuator, designed to deliver linear motion solutions in space-constrained applications without compromising performance specifications. The new actuator represents a ground-up design approach focused on minimizing form factor while maintaining force output. The L8 series has five stroke length options: 10 mm, 25 mm, 50 mm, […]

Belts and pulleys lift loads, use mechanical advantage to apply forces, and transmit power. They also form the basis of industrial conveyors big and small. In this Design Guide, the editors of Design World review both V and synchronous belt types — including the fundamentals of their operation. Topics on sizing and selection are also…