Tritex™ II Series Electric Actuators
March 31, 2009 by Miles Budimir
Filed under Linear Actuators
Chanhassen, MN—Exlar announces the Tritex™ II Series electric actuators, offering 1500 Watt, AC powered operation and digital position control within a single, space-saving housing. These actuators combine a brushless servomotor with either rotary or linear (output) actuation, assembling all elements into a compact, sealed housing for demanding environments. With their built-in mechanical converters, Tritex II actuators eliminate the need for traditional ball screw or gear reducer mechanisms—they incorporate all the required position control and power electronics into the actuator itself, providing a complete system solution. This design additionally eliminates the inconvenience and expense of an external servo amplifier and cables, which are often required with typical servo systems.
The new Tritex II actuators operate from 100-240 VAC, allowing direct connection to factory power sources. Enhanced software features include 16 programmable indexes, linked moves and firmware flash upgrade capability via the actuator’s Modbus port. This port, via an RS/485 protocol, allows complete control, programming and monitoring of all aspects of the Tritex II actuator as it performs an application. Planned communications options include Modbus, Ethernet/IP™, HART, Modbus TCP/IP, CANopen, and CAN J1939 protocols.
The Tritex II actuator has ample I/O capability with 8 digital inputs, 4 digital outputs, plus one analog input and output. Feedback choices include analog Hall effect (standard) and incremental encoder for high positioning resolution. The Tritex II design offers excellent connectivity with internal terminals accessible through the actuator’s removable cover. Tritex II also offers a provision for Imperial or metric threaded ports for cable sealing glands, optional M23/M16 connectors for power and I/O, with an M8 connector for the RS485 port.
Tritex II linear actuators provide the same form factor as hydraulic and pneumatic actuators and provide for simple, clean all-electric retrofits in what were formerly fluid power applications. They are available with many different mounting options (metric or Imperial) such as front flange, rear clevis mount, side mount, trunnion mount, extended tie rod, and rear flange.
Tritex II rotary actuators are available in standard IEC metric dimensions. Direct drive units, as well as units with integral planetary gearing, provide compact, powerful solutions for most rotary applications. Custom mounting and options for both rotary and linear actuators are available to meet a wide range of installation requirements.
Significant Lead Time Reduction for Selected Thomson Linear Slides
March 30, 2009 by Miles Budimir
Filed under Ball Slides, Crossed Roller Slides
WOOD DALE, IL – Thomson has significantly reduced lead times for some of its most popular Thomson slides. Lead times for Thomson 2DA, 2CA, 2BA, IB Series, IC Series, ID Series and IV Series linear guides have been reduced to just 2 days.
Lead times for Thomson 2DB, 2EB, MS, 2HB, 2HE, 2RB AND 2RE driven systems have been reduced to just 4 days. The new lead times are effective for orders of 5 pieces or fewer. Lead times for higher quantities will remain 10-20 days, depending on the particular series of Thomson slide ordered.
PBC Linear Actuator Gives Green Energy a Lift
March 30, 2009 by Miles Budimir
Filed under Linear Actuators
In an economy that is gearing more towards green energy, PBC Linear is helping lay down the initial framework. Utilizing the high-accuracy PLA linear actuator, a cutting edge US company that manufactures silicon ingots from solar furnaces is able to sustain smooth, quiet and long-lasting operation for the their specially designed furnace damper that controls temperature for the ingots crystals. These ingots, in turn, are used in the production of electricity generating solar panels for cleaner and renewable energy.
To create a solar panel, silicon ore needs to be fused in a furnace similar to how glass is made from sand. These furnaces are immense, and require a multitude of precision components to work in harmony for the succesful creation of silicon ingots. The ingots are then sliced into thin sheets for the fabrication of the solar panels. If this delicate process is upset, production time and cost would exponentially increase as these furnaces are heated to thousands of degrees and take days to cool down for servicing. PBC Linear’s PLA actuator was installed to control the furnace’s heat damper during the process cycle. The damper provides precise temperature control during the process. To control the critical lifting and positioning of the damper, the manufacturer required a linear system that was low cost, precise and reliable in order to compete on an international level.
The PLA ball-screw driven linear actuator was the answer. The PLA stands out from its competition with its SIMO™ (Simultaneous Integral Milling Operation) machined profile that mills out tight, consistent tolerances on all sides of the system to ensure repeatable guidance at no added cost. The PLA is also equipped with Integral V™ Technology (IVT) to provide enhanced precision guidance of the actuator’s V-rollers. When these advantages combine together, they create a superior linear actuator with no additional costs to the end user.
The silicon ingot manufacturer was immediately impressed with the PLA’s performance and reliability. Since implementation, the actuator has been running successfully, aiding in the production of solar panels and helping jumpstart the renewable energy industry.
For additional information on the PLA linear actuator, PBC Linear’s patent pending SIMO™ process, or the cost reducing Integral V™ linear guide system, please visit their dedicated pages: LAT.pbclinear.com, SIMO.pbclinear.com, and IVT.pbclinear.com.
ORMEC Announces New Web Site and Logo
March 26, 2009 by Miles Budimir
Filed under Industry News
ORMEC Systems Corp. has developed a new web site to make it easier for customers learn about the many products and services available to them when doing business with ORMEC. The customer will be able to easily navigate the site to find information on the company and products as well as information on the technical services offered by ORMEC.
The primary design goal for the new site was to insure that technical documents and software resources were easily located by users, regardless of their familiarity with the product families. Each product page features related documents and software, as well as linking to related products. A menu on the left side of each product page shows the user where they are in the product hierarchy and provides for quickly jumping to other areas. An easily navigable support library includes documentation and software for all ORMEC products for the past twenty years. A blog by the ORMEC Applications department features code samples, programming tips and application solutions.
The new logo represents the continued philosophy at ORMEC to be a forward thinking company and a shining star with our customers by providing unparalleled customer service and the highest performance motion systems available.
Pulsed-Inductive Sensor for Low-Cost Linear Position Feedback
March 19, 2009 by Miles Budimir
Filed under Linear Encoders
Florence, KY – BIW Pulsed-Inductive sensors from Balluff only look like traditional resistive linear potentiometers. However, unlike linear potentiometers, BIW sensors use patented, non-contact technology to provide continuous, absolute, analog position feedback. Because there is no mechanical contact, wear is not an issue. BIW sensors are available at a price level equal to or lower than many linear potentiometers.
Like resistive linear potentiometers, BIW Pulsed-Inductive sensors are available with analog voltage outputs (-10 to +10V or 0 to +10V). But unlike linear potentiometers, these innovative linear position sensors are available with analog current outputs (0 to 20 mA or 4-20 mA) as well, without the need for external signal conditioning. This is important because analog current signals offer much better electrical noise immunity and allow for longer cable runs compared to analog voltage signals.
Balluff BIW Pulsed-Inductive linear position sensors are designed to be form-factor replacements for traditional resistive linear potentiometers, right down to the familiar sliding plunger. It also means BIW sensors are a perfect fit for linear feedback applications such as those found on plastic injection molding machinery, packaging machinery, hydraulic motion bases, and woodworking machinery. BIW sensors are also an ideal solution when low-cost, continuous position feedback is required on hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders.
For further information, visit: www.balluff.com/biw
Gates Energy Efficient Power Transmission Drive Solutions
March 17, 2009 by Miles Budimir
Filed under Belts
With energy costs on the rise, you’ve got to keep your power transmission systems performing at optimum efficiency. On average, synchronous belt drives operate at a consistent 98-99% efficiency, which is 5% more efficiently than V-belt drives. That means that converting from a V-belt drive to a synchronous drive can increase your production by 5% or lead to savings on your energy bill.
Plus, properly installed synchronous belts eliminate time spent retensioning, reduce maintenance expenses, and may save your plant thousands of dollars.
The cost-saving benefits of Gates synchronous belt drives make them ideal for a wide variety of markets, including chemical processing, ethanol refining, oil refining, and food and beverage.
Gates has your energy efficient solution.
Download an Energy Efficiency Whitepaper and the Belt Preventative Maintenance Manual here >>>
PowerGrip® Rubber Synchronous Belts
March 17, 2009 by Miles Budimir
Filed under Belts
PowerGrip belts have solved real-world application requirements for more than 60 years. In working with Gates to conceive an innovative belt drive solution, you’ll find a partner that exceeds your expectations.
PowerGrip belts are used in a diverse range of applications requiring speed, strength and durability – from timing belts for automobiles to heavy-duty belts and sprockets for factory-grade machinery – and in the OEM, and replacement markets.
Just one of the belts in the industrial line is the PowerGrip GT®2 belt, which offers:
•High horsepower and torque-carrying capacity
•Low noise and vibration with narrower drive designs
•Accurate registration
•No maintenance or equipment downtime
•Excellent abrasion resistance
•Long life
In fact, it features twice the HP capacity as HTD®, GT and competitive RPP® belts, allowing smaller, more compact drive designs for the lumber/pulp processing, food processing, packaging, aluminum/steel production markets and numerous others.
PowerGrip Twin Power® belts provide double-sided power and synchronization, while TruMotion® belts are clean running, small pitch belts for contaminant-conscious applications.
In addition to the range of high quality products, Gates offers the engineering and design resources to support you from project conception to completion.
The New ZF1 Belt Drive Slide from Techno, Inc.
March 13, 2009 by Miles Budimir
Filed under Linear Slides
New Hyde Park, NY – Techno, Inc. Linear Motion Systems is proud to announce the ZF1 Belt Drive Slide, a low cost, economical slide that can lower your costs in factory automation applications. This lightweight model is driven by a 9 mm wide HTD belt that can be ordered in travels ranging from 153 mm (6”) through 2853 mm (112.3”). Perfect for tight spaces, the ZF1 Belt Drive Slide is 30 mm wide with an accompanying carriage that is 72 mm wide. The small width of the slide allows it to fit into tight spaces, increasing the versatility and options any machine builder might need in their design.
Techno’s ZF1 Belt Drive Slides have a maximum speed of 1.5 m/sec., and can be ordered with a 200W (2:1 Ratio), 100W (2:1 Ratio) servomotors, 50 N•cm, 160 N•cm (2:1 Ratio) stepper motors, or a 2:1 Ratio Assembly with no motor. The belt drive pulley is 19.1 mm in diameter and has a specific mass of 0.0225 kg/m.
http://www.techno-isel.com/tic/Catdas/ZF1.htm
RoboBusiness 2009 Conference and Exposition
March 13, 2009 by Miles Budimir
Filed under Industry News
The 6th Annual RoboBusiness Conference and Exposition takes place April 15-16, 2009 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Massachusetts. The General Manager and founder of Microsoft Robotics Initiatives Tandy Trower will deliver the keynote address on the first morning of the conference. The presentation, ‘Personal Robotics: Getting Some Perspective,’ will focus specifically on the most compelling opportunities within the personal robotics market.
RoboBusiness Conference & Exposition features a worldwide array of companies with emerging robotics and intelligent systems technologies within the Expo Floor, 30+ sessions, and exclusive keynote presentations.
Conference program tracks include:
* Business Development and Investment
* Technology and Standards
* Security, Defense and First Responder Robotics
* Consumer Robotics
* Healthcare Robotics / RoboMedicus
* Autonomy and Mobility
Complete event information and registration are available at www.robobusiness.com.
Aurora Bearing Co’s LCOM Spherical Bearings
March 12, 2009 by Miles Budimir
Filed under Linear Bearings
Like all Aurora Bearing spherical bearings, the LCOM series features a one piece steel raceway, swaged around the ball for a smooth, precise, close tolerance fit, along with the benefit of the strength and vibration resistance of steel. In addition, this series is optionally available with Aurora’s proprietary AT series PTFE liner, for a zero clearance, self lubricating fit.
Aurora LCOM Spherical Bearings were designed to offer a higher level of performance with dimensional interchangeability for the “LS” spherical bearing category; a market segment which has remained largely unchanged since the 1950s. “LS” bearings are characterized by being of 3 or 4 piece construction, with an inner ball, an outer ring, and a one or two piece brass, bronze, or copper alloy race between. Since the early 1950’s users of these bearings, which are also marketed with a “FLBG”, “RS”, or “VBC” prefix, have had to accept the low strength and poor vibration resistance of these bearings do to the low strength race material. Aurora’s LCOM bearings incorporate superior materials and manufacturing processes to overcome the performance deficiencies associated with “LS” bearings.
