Amish Communities Adopt Plastic Bearings

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – An Ohio-based manufacturer of horse-drawn farming equipment predominately employed by Amish communities uses iglide® plastic plain bearings from igus® on a ‘crumbler’ mechanism; used to crush clods of dirt during the tilling process. The bearings replaced a system of metal shafts and collars that required messy lubricants and frequent maintenance.

iglide G300 bearings are used on each of the crumbler’s eight rolling elements. Grease fittings made the rollers susceptible to dirt build-up, which eventually led to the formation of a thick sludge as the tool sat idle in-between harvests. Fortunately, iglide bearings are lubrication-free and dirt- and dust-resistant and so are ideal for use in this outdoor application. They are also unaffected by rain and any moisture from the soil, thanks to their corrosion-resistant and low moisture absorption properties.

iglide plastic plain bearings are available in 28 different polymers. Every iglide bearing material possesses a number of special features, which makes it suitable for particular applications and requirements. iglide G300 bearings are cost-effective and can be paired with a number of different shafting materials. They are best for rotational and oscillating movements and low to average running speeds. They also possess a low coefficient of friction and high wear-resistance. To request free samples, call 1-888-803-1895, visit www.igus.com/iglide.asp or e-mail sales@igus.com.

igus
www.igus.com

Nippon Pulse introduces L427 Series Linear Shaft Servomotor

RADFORD, VA — Nippon Pulse has introduced the L427 series, a linear shaft servomotor that features a 5mm air gap between the forcer and magnetic shaft. In the Linear Shaft Motor (LSM) family, the L427 series is a low-maintenance linear motion solution that has applications in a wide industry range.

With a 5mm air gap between the motors forcer and shaft, users have more flexibility when machining their device to level. It is also a good motion solution when a user does not have the ability or resources to do an accurate alignment of the forcer and the shaft.

The L427 series is an optimal solution in environments where there is the potential for matter to stick to and build up on the shaft. When there is the potential for debris to build up on the shaft, the 5mm air gap will prevent the motor from jamming and will also increase the time required between cleanings.

The L427 features a usable stroke length between 100 and 4,600 millimeters and has a constant force of 110N. The motor’s peak force is 450N, while its force constant is 31(Kf) N/Amps. Other features of the product include a 42.7 mm shaft diameter, a 3.6A continuous current, a 14A peak current, a 10 V/m/s back EMF, and a 3kg forcer weight.

Nippon Pulse’s Linear Shaft Motor has three basic concepts. It is simple, consisting of only a magnetic shaft and a forcer. The motor is also high precision, taking advantage of its ironless make-up to offer zero cogging, while giving complete stiffness. Being non-contact, the shaft motor has a non-critical air-gap that eliminates variation in force over the entire stroke of the device.

Nippon Pulse America, Inc.
www.nipponpulse.com

New Industrial Linear Actuator Catalog from Thomson

WOOD DALE, IL –Thomson has available a new Guide to Industrial Linear Actuators. The guide provides an overview on the types of applications that can most significantly benefit from electric actuation, as well as non-commercial information on the benefits of converting manual, hydraulic or pneumatic applications to electromechanical motion.

The guide also details the company’s complete family of Electrak® AC and DC Electric Linear Actuators, Electrak Non-Driven Actuators, rotary actuators, actuator controls, and accessories and parts. Users will also find a helpful glossary of terms, and a simple five-step selection procedure to determine the optimum electric linear actuator for a given application.

Thomson
www.thomsonlinear.com

New Precision, Multi-axis Air Bearing Gantry System from Steinmeyer

BURLINGTON, MA — Steinmeyer, Inc. announced a new precision, multi- axis air bearing gantry system. This motion system consists of an XY stage utilizing air bearings plus a conventional ball screw driven Z table. It is ideal wherever there is a need for ultra high precision and outstanding dynamic performance.

Typical uses include:

- laser machining
- inspection systems
- pick and place devices
- dispensing systems, and
- gene chip production equipment.

These stages (which may be completely customized) achieve the following standard XY specifications: travel is 600 mm X 600 mm, positional accuracy is 10 microns, positioning repeatability is +/- 1 micron, straightness and flatness is 1 micron. Both X and Y stages are driven by ironless, electrodynamic linear motors with maximum acceleration of 10 m/s² and velocity of 1000 mm/s. Position feedback is accomplished via an incremental linear encoder with a resolution of 50 nm. Typical Z stage performance includes: 25 to 200 mm travel; positional accuracy of 10 microns; and repeatability of +/- 1 micron. A separate motion control option is available based on customer specifictions.

Steinmeyer
www.steinmeyer.com

Misumi Introduces New Miniature Conveyors at ATX West 2010

Schaumburg, IL — Misumi USA, Inc. will introduce its new line of Miniature Conveyors at ATX West 2010 in Anaheim (Booth #4411), where a live demonstration will be available to demonstrate the Miniature Conveyors’ ability to perform automatic short-run conveying with extreme accuracy and precision.

Key features of Misumi’s Mini Conveyors include:

– Precisely Configurable Length and Width. The unit’s length is configurable in 5mm increments and the width can be configured in 10mm increments.

– Choice of Tracks. Depending on their application needs, purchasers can select a single track or double track conveyor.

– Ease of Attaching Auxiliary Components. Three convenient slots allow for easy and secure attachment of components using a standard hex nut, which can be tightened at various positions, making the unit adaptable to multiple applications.

– Selection of Motor Type and Location. The Mini Conveyor motor can be specified with either fixed or variable speed, and the location of the motor can be specified on either the driving side or in the center of the unit.

– Conveyor Accessories, including timing belts and support stands, are also available.

Additional technical data on Misumi Miniature Conveyors, as well as pricing information and delivery times are available on our website at https://www.misumi-ec.com/eusaen/mech/

MISUMI USA, Inc.
www.misumiusa.com

Ceramic Linear Piezo Motor from Physik Instrumente

Auburn, Mass. – PI (Physik Instrumente) introduces the new N-216 NEXLINE® high-load piezo linear motors. These highly precise nanopositioning actuators provide travel ranges to 20mm with a resolution of 0.03nm, and push/pull forces to 600N (130lbs) and holding forces to 800N (177lbs).

The piezoceramic clamping and shear elements act directly on a moving runner coupled to the load. For maximum velocity, and long distance movements, the runner can be driven in full step mode. Extremely uniform motion and constant velocity is achieved with the nanostepping mode.

The N-216 linear motors come in two versions for open- or closed-loop operation, as well as in two different load configurations. Closed-loop versions are equipped with a linear encoder for direct position measurement of the moving runner. The encoder features 5nm resolution over the full travel range.

Applications include high-end ultra-precision manufacturing and semiconductor test equipment to astronomy and high energy physics applications. Extreme reliability makes them ideal for applications in difficult-to-access internals of instruments, requiring nanometer-realm adjustment and/or vibration cancellation.

For datasheets or more information, email info@pi-usa.us or visit www.pi-usa.us.