Linear Motion Tips, a leading source for engineering and manufacturing information, provides engineers and industry experts with articles, tips and guides to assist in knowledge and job performance. The linear actuators, ball screws and lead screws articles below can be used as a professional resource.

New Ball Screw and Guide Options for Tolomatic Actuator Series

Hamel, Minn. - Tolomatic has expanded its new line of ERD electric rod-style actuators to make the line more flexible than ever before. Enhancements such as ball screws, motor mounts for NEMA and metric stepper and servo motors, plus a guide option, make it possible to employ ERD actuators in many more types of motion control applications. Originally designed as an affordable replacement for pneumatic cylinders, the ERD has become a very economical actuator solution for applications such as product changeovers, pick-and-place, sorting and diverting, heat-staking and more.

The addition of ball screw choices improves the force range of the ERD up to 200 lb. The combination of NEMA and metric motor mounts allows users to select their preferred brand of servo or stepper motor. All three sizes of the ERD are available with an optional external guide system that prevents rod deflection and rotation during operation. The guide also features a tooling plate for mounting hardware.

www.tolomatic.com

Ball Screws for Ultra High Vacuum Applications

Steinmeyer, Inc. announced a new option for its extensive line of precision products – ball screws designed for operation under high vacuum.

Typical applications include actuators for use in:
- Aerospace
- Electron Beam Inspection
- Lithography
- Synchrotron research
- Nanotechnology

Any Steinmeyer ball screw, from 3 millimeter to 160 millimeter in diameter, can be completely customized to meet your vacuum requirements. All components utilized in such a ball screw, including shaft, ball nut body, ball deflectors and balls, are manufactured from stainless steel. Depending on the application, the ball screw is provided with either vacuum compatible grease or a dry lubricant coating such as tungsten disulfide or molybdenum disulfide. And for certain special demands, the ball nut can be supplied with silicon nitride balls.

Steinmeyer
www.steinmeyer.com

Haydon releases one inch can-stack linear actuator with proximity sensor

Haydon Kerk Motion Solutions (www.haydonkerk.com), a leading manufacturer of precision linear motion products, has released the latest 25000 Series one inch captive linear actuators, which integrate end-of-stroke proximity sensors. The sensors use the technology of miniature hall effect in an IC package placed directly on the actuator. The non-contact operation of the switch provides the unlimited on-off life cycle in the sensors’ hall effect technology. The company’s can stack linear actuator with proximity sensors is suitable for limited space applications.

With the use of a rare earth magnet fitted directly at the internal screw’s end, the sensor achieves a highly repeatable on/off signal. The in and out movement of the screw allows the magnet to move forward and away from the sensor face, enabling the device to switch states. Purposely designed to function in a digital switch mode, the proximity sensor utilizes an open-collector output via a NPN transistor switch incorporated in the sensor. The proximity switch is a device comprised of three wires, requiring a minimum voltage of 3.8 VDC to a maximum of 24 VDC with a current consumption of 10mA max.

The company’s latest 25000 Series is part of the G4 portfolio of high-output can stack linear actuators whose performance are “second to none” when compared to actuators of its kind in the market. Improvements include high energy neodymium magnets, custom engineered polymers, optimized stator tooth geometry, and larger ball bearings for increased rotor support and axial loading.

Exlar 2011 Catalog Features Versatile Motion Control Solutions

Exlar announces its 2011 Product Catalog and Engineering Guide is now available by download or in print by request. The catalog details Exlar’s broad selection of linear and motion control products, including linear actuators, rotary motors and gearmotors, as well as new and updated products now rated for use in hazardous locations. Sections include series overviews, specifications, performance curves, drawings, system configurations, additional options and ordering information.

A section on roller screw technology explains how this mechanism for converting rotary torque into linear motion functions. This section details the advantages of roller screw technology over alternative linear motion technologies such as ball screws or hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders.

New this year, the hazardous products section includes information on the EL Series Explosion Proof Linear Actuators with new ATEX certification and ER Series Explosion Proof Rotary Motor and Gearmotor Actuators—both specifically designed for reliable performance even in demanding conditions. Additionally, the standard GSX/GSM and SLM/SLG linear actuators are now available with a Class I Division 2 Option for hazardous locations.

An easy-to-reference engineering section includes definitions and equations for determining move-profile, velocity and acceleration, force, thrust, motor velocity and torque. A table of factors for converting units of rotary inertia, torque and material densities between English and metric units is also included, as well as a notes section.

Exlar Corporation
www.exlar.com

Programmable Motorized SplineRail™ Linear Actuator from Haydon Kerk

Haydon Kerk Motion Solutions, Inc. introduces the Programmable Motorized SplineRail™ Linear Actuator. The Programmable SplineRail combines mechanical drive, guidance, and control in a single, compact component. The system uses a Size 17 single stack or double stack stepper motor with the integrated Haydon™ IDEA™ Drive.

The IDEA Drive technology incorporates a custom designed graphic user interface for easy programming through the use of on-screen buttons instead of complicated command sets typically seen in programmable drive architectures. The graphic user interface also allows the program to be “tested” using a line by line execution feature for easy troubleshooting and modification.

The SplineRail technology utilizes a Kerk® precision rolled lead screw, supported by bearings and contained within a concentric aluminum spline, driving an integrated Kerkite® composite polymer nut/bushing. The extruded aluminum spline offers excellent torsional stability. KerKote® TFE coating and self-lubricating Kerkite nut/bushing material ensure long life and zero maintenance.

When mounted vertically, the programmable SplineRail can also be used to simultaneously lift and rotate (Z-theta motion). With one motor driving the screw and a second rotating the rail, a compact, self-supporting pick and place mechanism can be created. Screw leads are available from 0.05” to 1.2” per revolution providing a wide range of performance profiles, including self-locking threads that can support a load without external power or breaks. Haydon Kerk specializes in custom solutions and the SplineRail is a versatile platform to build upon.

Typical applications include pick-and-place mechanisms and robotic assemblies in life sciences instrumentation, semiconductor equipment, business machines, packaging and assembly, and a wide range of factory automation applications. Combined with Haydon Kerk’s broad offering of motion control components, the programmable SplineRail can be used to create custom systems for many types of motion.

Haydon Kerk Motion Solutions, Inc.
www.haydonkerk.com

ATEX Rated Explosion-Proof Linear Actuators from Exlar

Exlar’s linear actuator line has been expanded to include the EL100 explosion-proof linear actuators, rated for Class I, Div 1, Groups B, C, D and T3 hazardous environments. The EL100 linear actuators also meet ATEX requirements for use in potentially explosive atmospheres and are in conformity with the EU ATEX Directive 94/9/EC.

The EL Series linear actuators integrate a highly efficient planetary roller screw mechanism with a high torque servomotor in a single self-contained package. The roller screw consists of multiple threaded rollers assembled in a planetary arrangement around a threaded shaft. This highly robust design is engineered to provide reliable and precise operation over thousands of hours, handling heavy loads even under extremely demanding conditions.

Exlar’s servo-electromechanical systems offer clean, fast, simple and cost effective replacements for hydraulic actuation and longer lasting alternatives to pneumatic actuation. Reduced emissions and energy consumption (80% system energy efficiency) as well as increased position control and accuracy—all leading to reduced cost—are provided by servo electric actuation. Other features that make Exlar’s servo-electromechanical systems particularly easy to set-up and use include:

* Speeds up to 25 ips
* Forces up to 2000 lbs
* 8 pole brushless motors
* Strokes up to 6 in.
* Feedback configurations for nearly any resolver-based servo amplifier
* Several mounting configurations
* Windings available from 24 VDC to 460 Vrms
* CSA Class I, Div 1 Group B, C, D and T3 hazardous environment rating
* ATEX II 2 G Ex d IIB T3 Gb IP66
* Completely sealed motor for trouble-free operation

For process applications, the EL100 offers a unique combination of high speed, performance and accuracy in a compact package when coupled with Exlar’s EXP Series Positioner. High performance is achieved with respect to speed, linearity, load sensitivity, deadband and temperature range. For valve and damper control, the EL Series actuators continuously hold the position of the valve stem or shaft allowing extremely fast response to the smallest command signal changes without overshoot even when friction is present. This results in improved loop performance and reduced process variability.

Exlar’s EL Series provide a superior and cost-effective solution even in the most severe and demanding environments.

Exlar Corporation
www.exlar.com

USS Gerald R. Ford’s advanced weapons elevators use Exlar Linear Actuators

Exlar Corporation (www.exlar.com) has announced its award to be the provider of linear actuators to the AWE (Advanced Weapons Elevators) of Federal Equipment Company (www.fedequip.com) on the USS Gerald R. Ford Aircraft Carrier.

The Ohio-based Federal Equipment Company is currently manufacturing 11 high-tech Advanced Weapons Elevators for the latest class of US Aircraft Carriers. These elevators have capacities of up to 24,000lb and speeds up to 150ft/min, as well as vastly improved payload capabilities compared to the previous weapons handling systems. Also known as CVN-78, the next-generation Aircraft Carrier Gerald R. Ford is a totally new design for the US Navy and Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding.

The GSM30 linear actuators from Exlar are used to fire locking pins in order to keep the elevators in position in every deck level. The Exlar actuators combine an inverted roller screw, an encoder/resolver feedback source and a brushless servo motor into a single compact assembly, eliminating the complexity and cost of systems engineering’s approach, as every element needed to produce linear motion have been correctly designed and matched into the actuator. All GSM Series linear actuators’ brushless servo design allows the actuators to be used in closed-loop servo systems, where electronic control of velocity and positioning is needed. In these systems, position feedback can be supplied in different forms to match customer specifications, which include encoders, resolvers or internal-mounted linear position feedback sensors.

GSM Series linear actuators’ patented design uses an inverted roller screw mechanism to automatically convert the brushless motor’s rotary motion into high thrust, high speed linear motion. This mechanism offers a lead accuracy of 25mm/300mm for high precision operation and can be supplied with no backlash.

GSM actuators are ideal for demanding applications such as automatic tool changers, wire guiding, dispensing, wafer and chip handling, testing, robot manipulation, indexing material cutting, web guidance, volumetric pumps, tension control, automated assembly, simulation testing, injection riveting and molding, as well as joining and fastening.

Warner Linear Launches Website Featuring an eCatalog and Product Locator

Warner Linear has launched a new expanded website which provides information on their complete line of electromechanical linear actuators for light-duty, general-duty, and heavy-duty applications as well as custom actuator solutions. A full selection of actuator controls is also offered.

The new website, www.warnerlinear.com, features an eCatalog and product locator. Through the use of specification filters to instantly narrow searches, users can find the right linear actuator or control to meet their specific requirements quickly and easily. The eCatalog also allows users to compare specifications (side-by-side), view individual product specification pages, view 2D dimensional drawings (as PDFs), view 3D models, download CAD drawings in various formats, and submit an RFQ.

The website also features links to Distributor and Sales Manager Locators, OrderNet, and a Literature Portal containing catalogs, brochures, application profiles, magazine articles, and service manuals.

Warner Linear
www.warnerlinear.com

Exlar’s I-Series Actuators in 4D Theater for Motion Simulation Requirements

Exlar Corporation (www.exlar.com) is proud to introduce its latest linear actuators for the six degree-of-freedom motion bases in a South Korean museum theater for four-dimensional (4D) entertainment.

South Korea’s Gridspace Corporation chose the I-Series actuators from Exlar over ball screw actuators for the demanding application in order to meet several motion simulation requirements. These motion bases require servo control for smooth and precise positioning, accuracy and repeatability, as well as overall long life. The I-Series actuator provides machine users the flexibility to mount any motor into the actuator.

Exlar’s I Series Linear actuators feature many benefits. These include multiple stroke lengths, high cycle rates, wide variety of mounting styles, repeatable and accurate positioning, less noise compared to other motion technologies and millions of cycles without maintenance and re-lubrication. The series also has roller screws that offer up to 15 times longer life compared to ball screws. The actuators also use up less energy compared to fluid power with electric actuation.

The roller screw technology from Exlar was selected over alternative solutions and it can deliver the strict requirements needed for a successful simulator applications.

NIA linear actuators from Nook Industries

Nook Industries (www.nookindustries.com) is proud to introduce the new NIA ACME and Ball Screw Series Linear Actuators that provide compact size configuration and improved IP65 protection options against solid (airborne, dust particles, etc.) and liquid (water spray, rain, etc.) elements. The product is a cost-efficient series designed for light-duty outdoor/indoor applications, including aggregate/agriculture (packaging, dampers in rock quarries, etc.), amongst others.

All of the series are designed to deliver International Protection (IP) rating against levels of water/dust intrusion as an optional enhanced IP65 and standard IP54 protection class. The high-IP ratings were achieved through the use of several design elements, which include powder metallurgy gears, steel extension tube and aluminum alloy housing.

The new series features a standard 110/115/230 VAC single-phase split capacitive motor, delivering a 25-percent duty cycle, as well as an external capacitor. Other standard performance characteristics for ACME and Ball Screw versions include stroke lengths from 4in to 24in, working temperature of -26°C to +65°C, dynamic load capacity of 1,500lbs and less, overload protection by clutch, and self-locking. Adjustable limit switches and optional potentiometer feedback are also available to extend the added-value for unique applications on the two versions.

Nook Industries also offers its ND8 Ball Screw Series as a 12/24V DC Motor option that can deliver similar key design variables with the addition of stroke length of 100mm to 600mm and 65mm/sec maximum speed, with no back driving.

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