Haydonkerk’s Combination Linear Slide and Motor
February 27, 2009 by Miles Budimir
Filed under Linear Actuators, Linear Drives
HaydonKerk Motion Solutions™ offers the Kerk RGS® linear slide assembly combined with the Haydon™ MotoDrive™ PDE Actuator, an integrated linear slide, stepper motor, and electronic drive assembly combined together in a single unit.
The Kerk RGS linear slide features a standard wear-compensating, anti-backlash driven carriage to ensure repeatable and accurate positioning. All moving surfaces include Kerkite® polymers running on either Kerkote® or Black Ice™ TFE coatings, providing a strong, stable platform for a variety of linear motion applications.
The Haydon MotoDrive is an integrated linear actuator and electronic drive designed to operate with optically isolated inputs of pulse, direction and enable signals. The MotoDrive is programmable for micro-stepping ranging from full step mode to 64 micro steps per full step. Step resolution ranges from 200 full steps per revolution to 12,800 steps per revolution when micro-stepping. With a supply voltage of 12 to 42 Vdc, the MotoDrive Actuator functions with a factory-programmable run current of up to 2.6 A (rms) per phase. The drive direction is enabled with logic level voltage, and is activated using +5 Vdc. When operated at ground potential, the drive executes a retract move of the actuator.
Combining components into a complete optimized assembly helps reduce risk, increase safety, and improve integration for the OEM or end user resulting in a lower overall system cost.
To find out more, contact HaydonKerk Motion Solutions at info@HaydonKerk.com.
Mini Polymer Bearing
February 26, 2009 by Miles Budimir
Filed under Linear Bearings
The iglubal spherical bearing line includes a mini plain bearing. The self-aligning bearing is light and compact, requires no lubrication, is simple to install, and adapts to all angular misalignments.
The housing and spherical ball liner absorb vibrations differently than steel: the rotational, swiveling and oscillating movements of the self supporting shaft take place within the spherical cap, which has a dampening effect. Its wear resistant polymer makes it suitable for harsh environments.
This Cable Carrier Goes Only Where You Want it to Go
February 26, 2009 by Miles Budimir
Filed under Cable Carriers
Because of its smooth, tubular design, “Triflex R”—‘R’ for ‘round,’ multi-axis cable carrier protects moving cables and hoses on 6 axis robots in demanding industrial environments, such as in automotive production plants or welding applications.
The cable management system can move multi-dimensionally through all axes and can twist up to 380º per yard, making movement through complex configurations easy. The cable carrier glides around the exterior of the robot without getting caught up.
igus, Inc.
www.igus.com
Plastic Bearings Take High Loads
February 26, 2009 by Miles Budimir
Filed under Linear Bearings
When both shock and impact loads are present, such as in oscillating applications, the bearing can make all the difference. The iglide Q is a maintenance-free alternative to bronze, metal-backed and custom injection-molded bearings. Even at maximum loads of 14,500 lb/psi, it offers a low coefficient of friction compared with other iglide plain bearings.
As with other igus bearings, it is impervious to a range of chemicals, including organic solvents, fuels, oils and fats and, is lubrication-free, corrosion- and dirt-resistant. It operates in a temperature range of –40 to +275° F in continuous motion and can withstand short-term exposure up to 311° F. The iglide Q can be paired with an array of different shaft materials, such as stainless steel or hard-anodized aluminum. Its high-load capacity makes it a viable choice for material-handling machinery, scissor lifts, lift tables, amusement park rides and other applications.
igus
www.igus.com
DryLin linear bearings exceed expectations of packaging equipment manufacturer
February 26, 2009 by Miles Budimir
Filed under Linear Bearings
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Igus® Inc. announced that Matrix Packaging Machinery has chosen it’s DryLin® R linear bearings on its chief product line, the G Series packaging machines that includes the Matrix Proteus, Mercury and Ares.
Matrix manufacturers vertical, form, fill and seal (v/f/f/s) packaging equipment, which handles a wide range of products from green beans to candy to detergent.
Matrix’s G Series machines operate in many diverse environments, which compelled Matrix to find a bearing that would operate seamlessly while in continuous contact with environmental elements such as dust, dirt and water. Matrix chose DryLin® R linear bearings made of highly engineered plastic so they need no lubrication or maintenance. DryLin R bearings are formulated for long-life and consistently low friction.
Matrix uses DryLin R sleeve bearings designed for easy installation and removal in the most extreme applications, such as those seen by Matrix packaging machines. The bearing is comprised of two parts: a plastic liner made from igus’ iglide J200 material that can be pushed easily onto the shaft and a split aluminum adapter that fits over the liner.
This particular bearing delivers many advantages for both Matrix and its customers. Installation time is greatly reduced because Drylin R eliminates the need to remove the shaft from its housing. If replacement is necessary, the adapter shell opens effortlessly and only the plastic liner needs to be replaced. This feature saves the customer time, and in some cases, can reduce replacement part costs by 90 percent.
With DryLin R, Matrix customers rarely experience bearing failure on their machines. The company’s expectations were exceeded when DryLin R endured seven million cycles on its G Series with little to no noticeable wear, and to date, some of the machines have surpassed the 10-million cycle mark with DryLin R still in operation.
In the past, Matrix employed metal ball bearings in its packaging machines. After encountering scored shafting and grease leaks on some machines, Matrix made the switch to DryLin R. After doing so, the company has noticed little to no shaft wear and a slight increase in production due to the lighter weight of DryLin.
Matrix uses DryLin R linear bearings on its G Series machines, which are capable of reaching up to 160 cycles per minute. DryLin R manages loads up to 15 pounds on each machine, while operating at a speed of 750 feet per minute. Matrix machines also use iglide Z from igus, a line of plastic bearings suited for applications with high temperatures, extreme loads and high surface speeds.
New Cable Carrier for Cranes
February 26, 2009 by Miles Budimir
Filed under Cable Carriers
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – igus® has now launched a completely new generation of roller cable carriers. New “System P4″ was unveiled in the States at the IMTS show in September and is available on request. The new cable carrier has achieved speeds up to 23 feet per second over distances of 400 feet in igus’ outdoor testing facility. P4 is specially developed for indoor and outdoor cranes, as well as conveyor systems.
The need for ever-increasing speeds demands advancements in cable carrier technology. Similarly, cable carriers must operate smoothly and quietly because many ports are expanding and moving closer to residential areas. P4 is especially low noise and wear resistant at high speeds, even with loads up to 20 lbs/ft. In fact, thanks to the use of additional center links, there is practically no weight limit. Each link has the same short pitch, which means the cable carrier moves with minimal vibration in its radius. Plastic bridges and grooves along the surface of the cable carrier —a design from igus for long travels called ‘AUTO-GLIDE’ —mean the upper run of the P4 chain glides smoothly over the lower run.
The plastic rollers are firmly integrated into the sides of the cable carrier and do not rotate over one another, because the cable carrier’s upper and lower runs offset. This reduces wear and increases service life.
igus’ T3 Cable Carrier
February 26, 2009 by Miles Budimir
Filed under Cable Carriers
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – igus®’ ‘T3’ cable carrier for applications involving very high speeds and accelerations was one product to catch the attention of visitors to IMTS. The lightweight cable carrier runs extremely smoothly with minimal vibrations and virtually no noise: 33 dB(A) with 26.5 dB(A) of background noise. The polymer side bands are injection-molded as one piece, reducing assembly times and increasing affordability for the customer.
T3 was developed primarily for applications in the electronics industry, but is suitable for measuring machines, high-speed handling systems, industrial printers, cleanrooms and linear motors. The T3 cable carrier is also available in a special-material version for ESD (electrostatic discharge) applications, for which its one-piece design is ideally suited.
igus® Inc Adds Two New Mini Polymer Bearings
February 26, 2009 by Miles Budimir
Filed under Linear Bearings
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – igus® Inc, offers a highly resilient, self-aligning bearing with a wall thickness of just 3 mm.
The mini plain bearing is part of igus’ line of igubal® spherical bearings. The housing and spherical ball liner absorb vibrations differently than steel: the rotational, swiveling and oscillating movements of the self-supporting shaft take place within the spherical cap, which has a dampening effect.
The bearing housing is made of igumid G, an especially robust, reinforced polymer developed by igus. The internal, independently moving spherical ball is made of iglide® L280, which means a minimum coefficient of friction with the shaft.
iglide L280 is a highly wear resistant, long life polymer; suitable for even harsh environments and rough shafts.
www.igus.com
igus’ PRT Slewing Ring Bearings
February 26, 2009 by Miles Budimir
Filed under Linear Bearings
The PRT slewing rings have aluminum housings and use stainless steel screws. The polymer sliding elements are made from igus’ low cost, high performance iglide® J, which contains a solid lubricant, so it does not require additional lubrication. This material also boasts a low coefficient of friction, chemical resistance, low moisture absorption and good vibration dampening properties. iglide PRT slewing ring bearings are suitable for all environments; in particular, semiconductor and cleanroom applications, assembly lines, production facilities and robots. The PRT slewing ring bearing system was initially launched in one size and quickly proved itself in a variety of different applications. Customer demand prompted igus to add additional sizes to the range and the units are now available with outside diameters of 30, 60, 100 and 200 mm. February 26, 2009 by Miles Budimir EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – For 40 years igus® Inc. has been developing plastic bearing materials based on engineered polymer technology and offers an extensive line of plain bearings that are both maintenance- and lubrication-free. Iglide bearings are available in 20 high-performance material blends, enabling them to meet the specifications of any design. Iglide can be used in a variety of industries from farming to medical to automotive. Iglide J, which possesses low friction and extreme versatility, can be found in pick-and-place robots, pneumatics and bicycles, to name a few. Iglide H370, designed for wet and high-temperature environments, is often used in the marine industry and in applications requiring frequent wash-downs, while iglide Z510 for extreme loads is often employed in construction vehicles and tractors.
A wide-array of iglide plastic bearings for multiple applications
Filed under Linear Bearings
Iglide® plastic bearings are available in sleeve, flange and thrust-washer configurations. With 6,000 sizes and styles from stock, iglide is a cost-effective alternative to metal or ball bearings. Plastic plain bearings also do not corrode and command better vibration dampening characteristics than metal bushings. Igus customers benefit from the fact that all iglide bearings are:
