By Thomas Urbach, Head of Digital Sales & Marketing for drylin®

Screw-driven or belt-driven linear actuator?

Linear actuators are an important element in automation and mechanical engineering and help with a variety of tasks, from simple to extremely complex ones. Picking the right one is very important, since linear actuators and linear slides can be driven in a wide variety of ways.

Lead screw-driven actuators—for high accuracy

If a lower speed, yet a high level of accuracy, is required, linear actuators with trapezoidal threads are usually a good option. The linear axes with lead screw drives are also great options for high axial thrust forces. Due to the critical speed limit for lead screws, the travel path (max. 1,500 mm/5 feet), the speed, and thus the speed of the lead screw, are severely limited. The recommended speed limit depends on the lead screw diameter.

With our dryspin® high helix thread, accuracy and medium speeds can be combined due to the special thread pitch; however, a maximum travel distance of 1,000 mm/39 inches must be observed.

When should I choose a lead screw-driven linear actuator?

• For format adjustments
• In extreme environments (heat, cold)
• When corrosion resistance is required
• When it needs to be low-noise
• For shorter travels up to 1.5 meters or 5 feet
• For low to medium speed with high accuracy

Structure of a linear axis with spindle drive

1. Grease-free due to plastic bearings and plastic nuts
2. Shaft material (aluminum, stainless steel, carbon)
3. 8 trapezoidal thread pitches, 4 high helix thread pitches
4. Base body made of stainless steel, aluminum, zinc or plastic
5. Spindle machining according to drawing or spindle journal
6. Accessories available

To learn more about lead screw driven actuators, click here.

Belt-driven linear actuators—when things have to go fast

Belt drive linear actuators are particularly suitable for fast positioning and handling tasks. Long travels up to 3,000mm/9.8ft at high speeds are ideal requirements for this linear actuator.

When do I choose a belt-driven linear actuator?

• When high speeds are required
• For travels up to 3 meters/9.8 feet
• If the structure should be particularly flat
• If positioning accuracy may be > 0.1mm

Structure of a belt-driven linear actuator

1. Deflection with deep groove ball bearings
2. Grease-free linear guide with plastic plain bearings
3. Various sled lengths
4. Polyurethane (PU) or neoprene timing belts
5. Hard anodized aluminum

For more information on belt driven linear actuators, click here.

If cost is the number one concern, we have the perfect series

With the drylin ECON series, you can save over 30% on costs while still improving the technology of your linear assembly at the same time.

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