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Screw-driven Actuator from Specialty Motions

Corona, Calif. –The Slick Stick™ is a screw-driven actuator that boasts a small, streamlined footprint making it ideal for applications with tight space restrictions. The Slick Stick has travel lengths up to 76 in. and speeds up to 20 in./sec. Standard screw leads come in 0.5-in and 10mm leads. It is designed with one-inch diameter aluminum tubing that provides exceptional stiffness and rigidity in an envelope equivalent to the size of a support rail assembly. It can be mounted horizontally, vertically or laterally.

The Slick Stick comes standard ready to accept a motor and coupler.

For more information, call 800-283-3411
or visit www.smi4motion.com.

New HepcoMotion® PSD80 Profile Screw Driven Unit from Bishop-Wisecarver

Pittsburg, CA - Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation announces the availability of the new HepcoMotion® PSD80 Profile Screw Driven Linear Actuator with high efficiency Herculane® wheel technology. Designed to complement the established PSD120 ball screw actuator, PSD80 has been primarily developed around the need for a cost effective Z axis solution in lighter load applications such as pick and place and assembly operations.

Housed on a high strength aluminum beam and fitted with a stainless steel sealing band, the PSD80 uses Herculane wheels mounted to an adjustable carriage, offering long life and no re-lubrication. Single or multiple carriages on a unit are possible and can handle loads to 500N. A stainless steel lead screw provides actuation with pitch ranges of 4, 15, 25 and 70mm. The 25mm lead is particularly useful in Z axis applications, while the 70mm screw pitch satisfies the higher speed pick and place requirements and allows speeds up to 1 m/s and thrust loads to 300N. The lead screw is available in right and left handed threads and offers smooth, strong and precise actuation. A ball screw can be supplied for applications that require greater positioning accuracy.

PSD80 is supplied as a closed or open format dependent upon the application being subject to the ingress of dirt. The closed unit is rugged, tolerant of debris, and offers many mounting options while the open version is a lower cost solution that is compact, light, and has low friction. Where two units are to be used in parallel, a “slave axis” without the driving screw can be specified for both closed and open units. Adding to its flexibility, the PSD80 is available in a completely corrosion resistant version, as well as a double acting version for applications that require symmetrical movement from opposing carriages.

Bishop-Wisecarver
www.bwc.com

Linear Motion Handbook from Rexroth

Hoffman Estates, Ill. – A new 350+ page Linear Motion Technology Handbook from Rexroth is an educational, engineering reference book on linear motion technology and its uses, offering everything from a review of basic principles to examples of practical applications. It deals extensively with all common types of linear motion guides, as well as ball screw drives and ready-to-install linear motion actuators and Cartesian systems.

The first section of the handbook provides insights into the fundamental physical principles involved in linear motion technology, including information about the structural design, operating principles and characteristics of linear motion technology components. Topics such as rolling contact, life expectancy, pre-load, rigidity, accuracy and lubrication are also discussed in detail.

Later sections describe the structural design and technical characteristics of the manufacturer’s linear bushings and shafts, profiled rail systems, ball screw assemblies, and ready-to-install linear motion actuators and Cartesian robots. Readers will also find useful design hints and advice on product selection, assembly and installation, as well as tips for cost-effective project engineering.

To download individual sections of the handbook or to get the entire handbook, visit

http://www.boschrexroth.com/country_units/america/united_states/en/products/brl/catalogs/white_papers/lmt_handbook/index.jsp

www.boschrexroth-us.com/country_units/america/united_states/en/index.jsp

IDEA Non-Captive Programmable Linear Actuator

Haydon Kerk Motion Solutions introduces the Haydon RoHS compliant IDEA™ non-captive programmable linear actuator. In addition to full programmability through an easy-to-use graphic user interface, the non-captive actuator configuration is capable of up to 20” of stroke length with a variety of screw pitches allowing fine resolution linear motion. The non-captive IDEA programmable actuator is perfect for small gantry robots, motion systems for optics and lasers, high resolution imaging, precision fluid dispense, and other applications requiring precision linear motion.

The IDEA system is a compact, easy-to-use electronic drive and fully programmable control unit integrated with a linear actuator resulting in a single, compact package. Programming the actuator is though the use of on-screen graphic buttons instead of complicated command sets or other proprietary programming languages. The software allows the system designer to easily troubleshoot programs through line-by-line or multiple line program execution using the interactive debug feature. Inputs and outputs can also be simulated in software before ever connecting actual I/O hardware.

Other features include programmable current control, a single supply voltage of 12 to 48 VDC, 2.6Arms (3.68Apeak) max rated current per phase, and 8 opto-isolated general purpose I/O. The inputs are rated for 5 to 24 VDC, 4mA max per input. The outputs are open collector, 5 to 24 VDC, 200mA maximum per output. To learn more, visit www.idea-drive.com.

Haydon Kerk Motion Solutions, Inc.
www.HaydonKerk.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

Miniature Metric 8×6 Ball Screw from Nook Industries

Cleveland, OH - Nook Industries has recently introduced its miniature metric 8×6 Ball Screw (BS) designed for light load applications that deliver fast speed and close tolerance positioning. The rare size (8mm diameter x 6mm lead) is the only precision-rolled 8×6 on the market and is designed for compact applications that require the dual ability to be fast and precise−ideal for accurate positioning requiring a rapid approach and retraction.

Nook’s Precision Screw Group originally developed the 8×6 BS as part of its Miniature Metric Ball Screw Development Project primarily for medical applications. The combination of small screw and high-precision, however, is also well suited for a myriad of broad-based light load applications requiring close positioning and fast speed including; military, optics, instrumentation, sensors, etc.

Nook’s 8×6 BS is manufactured using precision rolled technology instead of grinding − which significantly lowers cost without compromising precision. Custom ball screw end machining options are also available to accommodate custom motor/bearing combinations.

Nook Industries
www.nookindustries.com/8×6

Moog and Thompson Friction Welding Develop World’s Largest Linear Friction Welding Machine

East Aurora, NY USA – Moog and Thompson Friction Welding have developed the world’s largest linear friction welding machine. It is capable of welding a surface area of 10,000 mm² (15 in²), nearly twice as much as previously achieved, and breaks the record of weld forge load at 100 tons.

Designated the E100, this new machine now extends the use of Linear Friction Welding (LFW) in the automotive and aerospace industries to produce components such as vehicle flooring and secure the blades on jet engines.

The E100 machine and control system represent a major industry-breakthrough as friction welding technology had never been used before over such a wide operating envelope.  Its automatic handling systems and rapid machine open/close features cut production cycle times when compared with traditional manual operations, while recharging of the accumulators takes only around 30 seconds for the largest and longest welds.  The E100 now opens up new possibilities for welded fabrication of parts that previously needed to be machined from solid metal, a process that can result in up to 80% material waste.  It is set to transform how jet engines are manufactured by cutting production cycle-times and dramatically reducing waste of expensive materials such as titanium.
Read more

A World Record for a Linear Actuator

With a tandem linear actuator 8.110 mm in length, the INA Linear Technology Division of Schaeffler Group Industrial has set an absolute world record. The enormous tandem linear actuator, developed and built for a French manufacturer of automation systems, is of exceptional dimensions even for the leader in the linear motion market. The linear actuator is based on the proven linear actuator concept MDKUSE35-3ZR, comprising an inherently rigid aluminium support rail with two six-row linear recirculating ball bearing and guideway assemblies of type KUSE35 arranged in parallel. The actuator is driven by a linear motor from INA Drives & Mechatronics GmbH & Co. oHG (IDAM). The direct drive is equipped with two slotted synchronous linear motors of the standard design L1C and generates a peak force of 3.934N.

The actuator has a total stroke of 7.000 mm, a length of 8.110 mm and a height of 200 mm. The driven carriage is 500 mm wide and 700 mm long. The mass of the comparatively compact tandem linear actuator is only 800 kg. Despite its size, the carriage can be positioned at a travel speed of up to 2m/s and an acceleration of up to 5m/s² with a reproducible accuracy of +/- 0,01 mm.

Schaeffler
www.ina.com

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