Festo introduced a heavy-duty Cartesian gantry for palletizing with a lift capacity of up to 440 lb, Z-axis stroke lengths exceeding 8 ft, and a speed of up to 5 ft/s. With free online design tools, off-the-shelf servo drives, motors, and other components, and quick assembly kits, this Festo palletizing solution shortens project time and…
Integrated linear-motion variations becoming the norm
Automation over the last several years has expanded use of electric linear actuators to leverage their technological advancements in smart homes, aerospace, defense, and industrial applications. In fact, the global linear actuator market could (in large part because of electric options) surpass U.S. $52.67B this year and grow at a compound annual growth rate through […]
ABB showcases motor solutions for the aggregate industry at AGG1
ABB, a manufacturer of industrial electrical motors for the aggregate industry, will showcase its innovative solutions at AGG1, the top exposition and education resource, in Nashville on March 25-27. Attendees are invited to visit Booth 717 to learn about the company’s motor line, designed to meet rigorous demands and harsh conditions reliably and efficiently while…
Ultra-low profile XY-theta nanopositioning stage uses air bearings
PI (Physik Instrumente) has released a unique planar XY-theta-Z nanopositioning stage based on air bearings and direct drive motors. Unlike conventional multi-axis stages, the A-361 employs only one moving platform shared among all three axes. One of its advantages is the ultra-low profile of only 40 mm, despite featuring an integrated vacuum chuck to accommodate […]
Linear position and speed sensing with rotary encoders
POSITAL’s measuring wheels and accessories, combined with the company’s versatile IXARC encoders, can be a convenient and accurate way of measuring linear motion in applications such as conveyer systems or the manufacture of rolled products. Recent enhancements to POSITAL’s programmable encoders have made it simpler to configure wheel-equipped encoders to meet users’ exact requirements. “Encoders…
Measuring wheels enable linear position and speed sensing with rotary encoders
POSITAL’s measuring wheels and accessories, combined with the company’s versatile IXARC encoders, can be a convenient and accurate way of measuring linear motion in applications such as conveyer systems or the manufacture of rolled products. Recent enhancements to POSITAL’s programmable encoders have made it simpler to configure wheel-equipped encoders to meet users’ exact requirements. “Encoders […]
Repeatable high-precision positioning for cutting-edge applications
Karl Wickenheisser, VP of Sales & Marketing, IKO International When dynamic equipment calls for precise motion control with rapid response in a small envelope, linear motor positioning tables offer an effective combination of advanced features. Although many suppliers of motion control devices offer miniature or high-accuracy positioning tables, they may not provide all the features…
Miniature direct-drive linear motor features integrated encoder, temperature sensor
Moticont’s new miniature 16-mm diameter SDLM-016-032-01-01 direct drive linear motor features integrated position and temperature sensors. This smallest of the fully enclosed SDLM series of linear motors features zero backlash, zero cogging, high acceleration, high speed, high resolution, and long life. Also known as an electric cylinder, this compact direct drive linear motor is just […]
High-precision positioning stages feature four motor options
The new PYR-10-15-60 Series of three-axis pitch, yaw, and roll stages from OES (Optimal Engineering Systems, Inc.) are the integration of a 60-mm diameter rotary stage (upper axis) capable of 360° of continuous operation mounted with the table perpendicular to the table of the yaw stage (middle axis) goniometer. The middle goniometer stage has a […]
Curtiss-Wright Exlar announces new Tritex EVA for oil & gas valve actuation
Curtiss-Wright’s Actuation Division announces that its new Exlar Tritex EVA electric valve actuator has achieved CSA Class 1, Division 2 (C1D2) Hazardous Location certification. It also outperformed American Oil & Gas producers’ expectations for rugged field test operations in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. The Tritex EVA answers the demand for an efficient, high-speed solution…
New low-profile, 40-mm motorized rotary stages feature high precision
The AY110-40-01 rotary stage from Optimal Engineering Systems, Inc. (OES) offers designers a high precision, low profile, compact motorized rotary stage. This precision stage with a 40 mm (1.575 in.) diameter table is just 30 mm (1.181 in.) high and the footprint is only 133 mm by 57.5 mm (5.236 x 2.264 in.) The stage […]
Thomson debuts online product selector simplifying screw jack configuration, selection
Thomson has added a unique screw jack configuration and selection tool to its online engineering toolset. The new Thomson screw jack product selector helps design engineers optimize and specify screw jacks for applications involving loads of up to 100 tons. “Screw jacks are increasingly replacing hydraulic cylinders in many ultra-heavy, low duty-cycle applications, and there […]
Modular gantries provide pick-and-place precision
Cartesian gantries are robotic and motion control systems operating within a defined three-dimensional space based on the orthogonal X, Y, and Z axes of the Cartesian coordinate system. With linear motors, precision bearings, and state-of-the-art geometric error compensation techniques, these gantries enable precise movement along each axis, allowing straight paths within the system’s defined workspace. […]
Packaging focus: Carton making and packing operations
Carton making and case packing are key operations in packaging facilities. Both rely on extremely fast motion systems with dozens of mechanically and programmatically linked axes for sufficient throughput to satisfy the demands of a global market. Case packing in particular is a common bottleneck. Typically, cartoners are installed at the ends of production lines, […]
Motion designs key to vertical farming
In a recent case study, we detailed how cable-systems manufacturer HELUKABEL helped automate a vertical-farming installation: Cables satisfy the unique demands of vertical farming. In contrast with approaches to optimize the traditional farming of fields, automated greenhouses solutions eliminate issues associated with tight labor markets, guarding delicate or valuable crops, and the need to apply […]
Direct-drive rotation stages for ultra-high precision industrial applications
Physik Instrumente’s (PI) new family of direct-drive rotation stages are designed for continuous 24/7 operations, demanding extreme dynamic and static precision, with resolution down to 0.0015 µrad, position accuracy of 10 µrad, and bidirectional repeatability of 5 µrad. The V-622, V-623 and V-625 high-performance rotary stages are equipped with frictionless electromagnetic torque motors and precision […]
Extending the life of profile rail linear guides
Round rail linear guides can offer the lowest overall cost of ownership, but machine designers often specify profile-rail for its compactness as well as its higher rigidity, load capacity, and accuracy. Here’s how to extend the life of these linear-motion components. By Curtis McCreight • product line specialist | Thomson Industries Dave Buckley • industrial […]
eBook: Setting The Standard For Precise Alignment
Download the Nippon Bearing eBook NB’s standard TOPBALL® TW type is the forerunner of the TOPBALL Ultimate and it is available in a wide range of sizes. TOPBALL has 3 times the load capacity and 27 times more travel life than conventional bushings. Because it is self-aligning, it speeds manufacturing and assembly. It is a…
Beckhoff extends electric cylinder lineup
Beckhoff is adding more devices to its scalable AA3000 electric cylinder series to extend the advantages in total cost of ownership, footprint, energy efficiency and sustainability to more applications. The new AA3100 devices offer the necessary force, dynamics and compactness needed for linear motion applications. However, this direct-drive solution delivers all the advantages of servo […]
PBC Linear shafts, bearings, and shaft supports from AutomationDirect
AutomationDirect has added PBC linear shafts, bearings, and shaft supports to their power transmission product category. PBC linear shafts are precision ground to provide an optimized surface for plain and ball bearings and are ideal for high-precision linear motion applications where tight tolerances are needed. The shafts are available in carbon or stainless steel with…
Show preview: What Emerson is exhibiting at PACK EXPO 2023
Technology, software, and engineering company Emerson will exhibit its Floor to Cloud packaging solutions at PACK EXPO Las Vegas, September 11-13, 2023. As the future of automation, Floor to Cloud solutions empower smarter packaging lines and more efficient processes that make it possible for manufacturers to continuously improve plant productivity, sustainability and safety. Visitors to South…
Rollon unveils TLS Series telescoping linear actuator
Rollon, a global manufacturer of linear motion and gantry systems, has introduced its TLS Series of telescoping linear actuators. The new series is designed to maximize productivity for applications where space is limited — especially for applications with minimal vertical clearance, such as between the machine and ceiling, or horizontally between machines. TLS telescoping actuators…
New SX series Linear Shaft Motors boast greater power in mid-size package
Nippon Pulse now offers a new series of motors to its extensive line of Linear Shaft Motor servomotors. The SX series features high-energy magnets for greater force in mid-range sizes, to supplement the existing sizes of the standard S-series motors. The SX series motors are available in 6, 8 and 10mm shaft diameters. Each size […]
Linkam launches enhancements to HFS probe stage
Specialist in sample characterization, Linkam Scientific Instruments, has unveiled its enhanced HFS600E-PB4 probe stage for use in micro-sized electrical component temperature control applications. The new design was implemented in partnership with Linkam’s customer, Radiant Technologies, a major player in the design and manufacture of testing equipment for electrical systems. The combination of Linkam’s HFS600E-PB4 stage…
Telescoping linear actuators for space-constrained applications
Rollon has introduced its TLS Series of telescoping linear actuators. The new series is designed to maximize productivity for applications where space is limited — especially for applications with minimal vertical clearance, such as between the machine and ceiling, or horizontally between machines. TLS telescoping actuators integrate seamlessly into multi-axis systems and are available in […]