Thomson Introduces New Website

WOOD DALE, IL –Thomson introduces Thomsonlinear.com – a content rich site detailing the company’s comprehensive family of mechanical and electromechanical motion solutions, along with a vast array of helpful, time saving and performance optimizing design tools and educational/training resources. Visitors are also able to browse potential motion solutions by industry of interest. Each resource is provided to engineers streamline the design process and optimize the performance of their machine through quick specification of best in class components and systems.

Machine builder’s will quickly find all relevant features, benefits, specifications and ordering information for Thomson actuators, ball screws and lead screws, clutches and brakes, linear bearings and guides, linear motion systems, precision balls and planetary gearheads. They are also able to browse potential motion solutions by industry, including aerospace and defense, electronic assembly, lift truck, medical, mobile off-highway, packaging and converting, personal mobility, semiconductor and textile.

Perhaps most significantly, OEMs have access to the company’s comprehensive and substantive library of design tools and education/training resources, including:
•Sizing software such as Linear MOTIONEERING® and Micron MOTIONEERING® to automate the linear system and planetary gearhead sizing, selection and quoting process
•Attribute-based Product Selectors that automatically identify the optimum components based on user inputs
•On-demand and live technical, educational and non-commercial webinars
•An Engineer’s Toolbar that provides a convenient method of performing common technical calculations
•Configurable 2D and 3D CAD drawings in all major CAD formats
•A library of technical articles and white papers
•Thomson eNews – a monthly enewsletter that covers a wide range of topics including application design, problem-solving insights, product introductions and selection, available literature and online software tools

Machine builders can also check out the company’s training schedule and enroll for upcoming courses, and even request customized, on-site training.

Thomson
www.thomsonlinear.com

Aerotech ANT130-L Series Stages

Aerotech ANT130-L series stages offer best-in-class performance in speed, accuracy, resolution, repeatability, reliability, and travel range, and are offered in two accuracy grades. With its low profile and outstanding performance, the ANT130-L is the ultimate solution for high-accuracy alignment, inspection, positioning, and measurement stations.

The ANT130-L employs a center-driven, non-cogging, noncontact linear motor and encoder as the driving element. Since the linear motor is a direct-drive device there is no backlash, windup, or “stiction” normally associated with a lead- or ball-screw drive.

The linear motor drive also offers the advantage of higher speeds and accelerations. The compact yet powerful linear motor drives the ANT130-L to a peak unloaded acceleration of 1 g and a maximum velocity of 350 mm/s. The result is a high-accuracy device with outstanding dynamic performance, with throughput that significantly outperforms comparable high-accuracy screw-driven or other stages in its class.

Outstanding step-to-step resolution is required for alignment applications. The ANT130-L meets this demand with an incremental step size of 1 nm when coupled with Aerotech drives and controls. The direct-drive linear motor allows the ANT130-L to make precise, small resolution steps, which is particularly important in alignment applications where step accuracy is critical.

Like all stages in the Aerotech product family, the ANT130-L was designed for long-term performance. Both the linear motor and linear encoder are noncontact devices to provide a long, maintenance-free life. A moving magnet-track design eliminates the need for cable management, further improving long-term reliability.

ANT130-L series stages are easily configured as XY assemblies. Options include precision orthogonality alignment to 5 arc seconds as well as vertical axis solutions.

Aerotech
www.aerotech.com

Linear Drive Selection Software Simplifies Calculation of Thrust and Speed Requirements

Aston, PA – The UH5 software program from Uhing Company enables rapid analysis of linear motion application requirements to assure correct size selection of Uhing rolling ring linear drives.

OEM designers and production personnel can submit linear motion application data by telephone or using forms on the Amacoil web site. Based on application criteria such as travel distance, weight of payload to be moved and desired ramp up time, Amacoil tech support specialists use the Uhing UH5 software program to quickly calculate technical and performance data such as required side thrust and linear travel speed.

The software saves time and eliminates trial and error in selecting linear drive size. Complex drive selection criteria are calculated in seconds including shaft rotational speed, drive torque, power requirements and shaft sag. Additional output data includes Fourier transformation analysis (showing drive displacement versus distance traveled at a constant speed) and dynamic simulation charts for visualizing shaft deflection off the centerline in relation to shaft rotation speed.

As the exclusive North American distributor for Uhing, Amacoil provides sales, technical support, service/repairs and parts.

For more information please contact Amacoil at 1-800-252-2645, Fax: 610-485-2357, or email at amacoil@amacoil.com

www.amacoil.com

Pharmacy Sorting Robot Glides with Redi-Rail Linear Guides

Rockford, IL – Pharmaceutical automation cuts dispensing costs, ensures accuracy and increases thru-put, allowing pharmacies to recover their investment, ensure quality and lower costs to consumers. PBC Linear’s Redi-Rail® linear guide was installed as a replacement positioning system for Manchac Technologies’ fully automated pharmaceutical robot, the Dosis L60. Chosen for its precision linear guidance, sealed bearings and oil impregnated wipers, Redi-Rail® ensures smooth, quiet and reliable travel. This allowed the Dosis L60 to fill, seal and label 30 day prescription cards.

Manchac Technologies provides accurate and immediate prescription sample dispensing. Delivered in a compact footprint (7 ft²), the Dosis L60 system sorts, counts, fills and labels 60 different oral medications for pharmaceutical use without user intervention. Originally this was accomplished using contact trucks and rails assembled into an XY gantry. However, the contact rails would experience periodic binding and system failure due to misalignment and vibration. This would cause severe downtime and skyrocketing repair costs—particularly if the system was out in the field. Lubrication was also periodically applied, but due to the environment and the sensitive prescriptions being handled, the required amount of lubrications was too messy and posed a risk of possible contamination of the prescriptions. Finally, Manchac decided to search for a more apt linear guide product.

The Dosis L60 functions in a controlled environment to protect the prescriptions and run correctly. Pill dust frequently builds up inside the machine and can be corrosive to certain materials. Therefore,

Manchac required a precision linear guide system to glide over accumulated particulate and consistently perform all automated tasks.

PBC Linear’s Redi-Rail® linear guides were the answer. Its reasonable price, sealed bearings, corrosion resistance and oil impregnated wipers made it a very attractive candidate. Redi-Rail® uses a post-processed, anodized aluminum extrusion with hardened stainless steel inner raceways to assure rigidity and precision. The rails are composed of anodized aluminum to provide light weight without losing strength. Redi-Rail’s high accuracy pre-loaded sliders utilize precision-ground, double-row ball bearing gothic rollers for fast (10 m/s) operation, high system rigidity and quiet linear motion. The sealed bearings also roll smoothly over accumulated particulate and restrict further contamination. Additionally, oil impregnated wipers allow for timely and clean lubrication along the rail.

After installed, Manchac noticed immediate improvement in the performance of the Dosis L60. Initial testing showed a 20-30% decrease in motor current required for operation. Redi-Rail also allowed for higher travel velocities without chatter or binding. The installation process was also simplified with Redi-Rail®, supplying high accurate mounting without the threat of misalignment.

PBC Linear
CRT.pbclinear.com

Motion System Drives Realistic Racing Experience

by Leslie Langnau, Managing Editor

After many years of evaluating and working with motion systems for various clients, UK-based Ball Racing Developments Ltd (BRD) concluded that nothing on the market could accurately simulate a racing car’s motion. So, the management and the engineers developed a new type of system dedicated to the motions experienced in a racing car, particularly the high velocity forces of a Formula One car for use in racing driver training, entertainment, and private owners with a keen interest in motorsport.

The first of this new generation of dedicated driving motion systems was released in November 2007 and sent to a theme park in Macau that wanted accurate motorsport simulators. However, BRD was unhappy with the performance of the equipment offered by its existing supplier of motion control products. The simulation technology specialist wanted a more compact and higher performing motor system, a specification that was ultimately fulfilled by Wood Dale, Ill. based Kollmorgen AKM-7 and AKM-6 brushless AC servomotors and Thomson linear systems.

The motors offer 0.16 to 53 Nm torque and speeds up to 8,000 rpm in a compact frame-size. This is an important factor to BRD, where any weight savings can benefit system performance and reaction times. The AKM motors were about half the size of the conventional servomotors they replaced.

One motor is required for each degree of freedom on the V1-500 motion platform. One AKM-7 motor handles movement in the surge direction (forward and backward acceleration and deceleration). AKM-6 variants handle motion in the side slip (side-to-side lateral thrust) and yaw (angular motion in the horizontal plane) directions. Yaw is achieved by changing the centre of rotation between the front and rear wheel positions. Each motor is powered by a Kollmorgen S600 AC servo drive, a digital servo amplifier.

For two motion platforms bound for Singapore, the engineers decided to include Thomson ball screw and linear guide systems in the same package in order to reduce lead-time and simplify the build process. These platforms were completed in just 10 weeks from signing the order, including design, build, and installation.

Three 40 mm x 40 mm ball screw assemblies move the Formula One car mounted on the motion platform. All are the same length for commonality purposes and each offers 1.2 m of travel. These assemblies consist of a precision rolled screw shaft and a nut (the outer race) with an internal groove and circuits of precision steel balls that re-circulate in the grooves between the screw and nut. This backlash-free anti-friction design converts torque to thrust as either the screw or nut turns and the other component moves in a linear direction. These ball screws have a high lead, which is necessary to generate the required 1 m/sec acceleration.

Alongside the ball screws and supporting the loads and high acceleration forces is a pair of 500 Series Profile Rail linear guide systems. These configurable linear guides meet DIN standard 645-1 requirements. Their rigidity and load capacity withstands the acceleration forces experienced in this realistic F-1 simulation. BRD had the option to plate linear guide bearing systems with thin-dense chrome (TDC) to withstand the exceptionally humid atmosphere in Singapore.

When mechanically complete, the two motion control platforms were linked with visual and sound technology created by BRD by mapping and modeling the Singapore street circuit. Based on BRD’s netKar Pro software platform, anyone can download a free copy of the Singapore night race circuit from www.singtelrace.com and practice driving the difficult track that twists and turns it way around many of Singapore’s famous landmarks. Users can even post lap times to the on-line leader board to see how they compare with others.

The two racing simulators deliver a realistic racing experience, short of being in an actual race car. At one point, crashing into the barriers produced such a sudden jolt that the effect had to be softened by BRD in the interests of health and safety. Approximately 1.0 to 1.5 G force can be generated in each axis of motion by the platform. As an added safety measure all drivers have to wear a four-point racing harness.

There has been plenty of interest from racing teams; a leading Formula One driver tested the V1-500 and managed to reduce his lap time by 0.7 sec. He noted that the system provided him with a greater ‘feel’ for effects present in a real racing environment such as under-steer, over-steer, weight transfer braking and wheel-spin, and helped improve his reactions.

Thomson
www.thomsonlinear.com

Kollmorgen, a Danaher Motion Co.
www.danahermotion.com/kollmorgen

Del-Tron Recirculating Slide Guides

Del-Tron’s recirculating slide guides provide linear motion solutions for applications involving long travels and designs where space constraints must be considered. These recirculating guides consist of a block and a guide rail, both having two R-shape raceway grooves that are machined and precision ground. The block consists of a main body with two raceways and a resin return cap to ensure smooth circulation of balls.

These precision steel balls roll in their respective raceway groove with contact at four points between the block and the guide rail. These low friction, compact and light weight recirculating guides are capable of carrying loads in excess of 700 kg., and provide travels up to 880mm. Stainless steel units are also available where corrosion resistance is a design concern. For your convenience solid model drawings for this entire product line are available on our website.

• Smooth and stable operation
• Compact, lightweight and low price
• High load capacity due to R-shaped groove
• Four-point contact to carry load and moment in all directions
• 400 Series Stainless steel units available
• Extra wide type available

Del-Tron Precision
www.deltron.com

Misumi Expands LX Series Single Axis Actuator Line

Schaumburg, IL – Misumi USA, Inc. has further expanded its LX Series Single Axis Actuators with two new product lines: High Precision Class Actuators for use in ultra-precise positioning and indexing applications, and Motorized Actuators, which significantly reduce time and labor required to design, source and assemble actuators with motorized capabilities. Misumi’s LX Series Actuators are utilized across a wide range of industries for factory automation and motion control applications.

Here is an overview of the two new product lines:

–Misumi High Precision Class LX Actuators (LX20 and LX26) are available in standard or cover type versions and in a wide variety of combinations. Their compact size and incorporation of precision ground ball screw results in extremely precise positioning and indexing control, making them ideal for use in numerous factory automation machine applications. For example, they can be used in servo-driven insertion units, precision measurement units, pick and place tables, painting units, and other devices. LX Series High Precision Class Actuators typically ship in six (6) days and offer superior price/performance value over competitors’ high precision product offerings.

–Misumi LX Actuators with Motors (LX30 and LX45) are also available in standard or cover type versions and in a wide variety of combinations, with eight (8) types of stepper motors. The units come pre-assembled with the motor, driver, and user-defined peripheral parts (ball screws, sensor options and configurable cable length) already in place to save machine builders time and labor. Accessory options include jigs for motor -coupling alignment, mounting brackets and transition plates. The Motorized LX Actuators typically ship in 11 days.

Misumi’s LX Series models are available globally in over 1000 possible configurations and are covered in the New 2009 Single Axis Actuator Catalog. Specially designed brackets allow a combination of two units on a different axis. The single axis actuators are manufactured by Suruga Seiki Co., a MISUMI Group company widely known for its high quality positioning stages and rigorous quality and accuracy inspection processes. An inspection certificate is included with all LX Series products.

Misumi USA, Inc.
www.misumiusa.com

Linear Stepper Motors from H2W Technologies

Santa Clarita, CA — Choose an easily integrated, low cost, high performance, 2-phase or 4-phase, linear stepper motor from H2W Technologies to improve the performance of an existing motion control system or create a new high speed, high accuracy system. These, compact, industry standard, 12 lb. Linear Steppers (53 N continuous Force, 16 lbs, 71 N peak force) travel at 80 in/sec. [2 m/sec.], with 1 micron [0.00004 in.] resolution, and can operate in any axis. Additionally, these 12 lb. Linear Steppers feature 1G acceleration and are the ideal choice for any of the following: New and existing gantry robots, pick-and-place systems, wire bonders, parts transfer, fiber optic, semiconductor, medical, and other precision robotic applications.

Available with a hard chrome, solid or hollow “platen” (track) in lengths up to 144 inches (3.65 meters), longer travels can be achieved by supplying the platens in sections, the H2W Technologies, industry standard, 12 lb. Linear Stepper is capable of very precise position, velocity and acceleration control when integrated with a microstepping drive and indexer. The resolution of these 2-phase or 4-phase motors is determined by the driver. One full step equals .010 in. [250 microns] and one microstep equals .00004 in. [1 micron]. Ideal for open loop positioning applications with moderate payloads, the “12 lb. Linear Stepper” can also be operated as a brushless linear servo with up to 5 Gs of acceleration and no loss of accuracy.

Capable of generating 12 lbs. [53 N] of continuous force, these single axis linear steppers have a forcer [motor], air bearings, side guide bearings, and platen [track] integrated into a compact, low-profile, package. The forcer connects to a motion control system via flying leads or “D” connector. Multiple forcers can operate on a single platen at the same time. Linear steppers can also be custom designed to meet a particular application’s requirements. Complete motion control packages including and indexer and driver for open loop operation or encoder, motion controller, and driver for closed loop brushless servo motor operation are available from H2W Technologies.

H2W Technologies, Inc.
www.h2wtech.com

Micrometer Driven Positioning Stages

Del-Tron offers a wide range of micrometer driven ball and crossed roller positioning stages with travels ranging from .25” to 2.0”. All units are available in X, XY and XYZ configurations and can carry load ranging from 4 lbs on our miniature ball slide series all the way up to 160 lbs on our crossed roller positioning stages.

All model numbers are available with inch or metric micrometers and mounting holes. Most models are available with locking micrometers and all models can be supplied with our Posi-Lock friction locking mechanism to secure the table. We also offer the SD Series (side drive mounted micrometers) designed for applications requiring the smallest footprint possible. Positioning accuracies range from 0.0005” per inch of travel straight line accuracy on our ball slide positioning stages to 0.0001” per inch of travel straight line accuracy on our crossed roller positioning stages. For your convenience solid model drawings for our entire product line are available on our website and we are always ready to discuss any special needs or modifications you may require.

Del-Tron Precision
www.deltron.com

IP69K Linear Position Transducer for Harsh Applications from Balluff

Florence, KY – Balluff’s new Micropulse® ProCompact linear position transducer for demanding linear feedback applications is rugged, accurate, and protected against environmental hazards such as high humidity, ambient temperature variations, high-pressure wash down, and exposure to caustic chemicals.

The Micropulse ProCompact rod-style transducer incorporates field-proven, non-contact magnetostrictive technology into a welded, hermetically sealed stainless steel housing providing superior long-term reliability and service life compared to competing contact-based sensors such as linear or rotary potentiometers.

The ProCompact is ideal for the following types of applications: hydropower and other wet applications, railroad maintenance equipment, steel production, sawmill applications, or any other application involving high humidity, ambient temperature variations, and high-pressure wash down.

The Micropulse ProCompact linear position transducer comes in standard ¾-in.-16 UNF (optional M18 x 1.5) mounting threads, allowing the transducer to be installed into hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders. Right out of the box, the ProCompact is environmentally protected to IP68. For even more demanding applications, the threaded fitting on the ProCompact housing can accommodate a cable protection system, offering environmental protection up to IP69K.
For more information, visit www.balluff.com/procompact

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