Question: “I’m designing a new linear motion system. Should I design it for high accuracy or repeatability? Or both?” Before we answer this question, let’s define accuracy and repeatability for linear systems… Accuracy In linear motion, there are two generally categories of accuracy – positioning accuracy and travel accuracy. Positioning accuracy specifies the difference between […]
Linear Actuators Archive
Get the latest product news, technical info, and FAQs about linear actuators.
Multi-axis stages and tables: Manufacturer involvement and software yield turnkey motion systems
There’s increasing demand for stages, tables, gantries, and indexing tables with simplicity or turnkey operation — largely because of industry moves toward focused expertise and abstraction. No wonder that motion-system manufacturers are now doing more integration for plant engineers and OEMs. “As we increase our business with OEMs of various markets — including those in […]
New high-performance miniature ball screws from SKF
The new SP Series high-performance miniature ball screws from SKF Motion Technologies have been optimized to deliver precise positioning, excellent repeatability, and smooth-running and quiet linear actuation. Their advanced internal ball recirculation system and thread design additionally enable higher speed capabilities and longer operating life compared with conventional rolled ball screws. These small packages ultimately […]
New integrated motor-actuators from Curtiss-Wright
Curtiss-Wright’s Sensors & Controls Division today announced the release of the fourth and final planned frame size of its next-generation Exlar® brand FTX Series actuators. These high-force, electric, rod-style actuators now offer higher performance and ease of maintenance than previously available. The FTX Series actuators are intended for use in high-force, high-duty cycle applications in […]
Long-stroke robotic RTU applications pose new challenges for cable carriers
New applications for mechanical devices present unique requirements. Consider the exceptionally challenging application for cable management in robot-transfer units (RTUs) and linear tool-tray transfer systems. RTUs are long tracks to carry robots between workstations. As an inverse solution, linear tool-tray transfer systems move workpieces past a stationary robot for various material handling or fabricating tasks. […]
Motion trends: Linear actuators leverage modularity and connectivity
Pre-integration is a common refrain in the motion industry — and actuators lead this trend. Some of the fastest growth is in motion designs destined for compact applications, many of which are being automated for the first time. “We’ve seen the most rapid growth in applications using NEMA 34 and 60-mm and smaller motors — […]
Gallery: Rack and pinion systems – designs and applications
Rack and pinion drives are commonly used in large gantry robots and material handling systems for their ability to achieve high-speed movements over long travel lengths. The most common rack and pinion systems for industrial automation consist of a linear rack (also referred to as a “linear gear”), a pinion (also referred to as a “circular […]
Bishop-Wisecarver reaffirms commitment to STEM with another year of Diamond-level and local sponsorship of the FIRST Robotics Competition
Designer and manufacturer of proven motion setups Bishop-Wisecarver today announced its ongoing support of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education by being a Diamond Supplier of the 2018 FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition. Experts in STEM, including Dr. Kamau Bobb, might affirm that this support is a direct […]
What are linear ultrasonic piezo motors?
Ultrasonic piezo motors create useful rotary or linear motion by exciting a piezo element to produce high-frequency oscillations. In linear ultrasonic piezo motors, the piezo element is a piezoelectric plate. Applying voltage excites the plate at its resonance frequency and creates eigenmode oscillations – meaning all parts of the plate move sinusoidally at the same […]
Kurt introduces the DX4 CrossOver vise
Kurt has launched the DX4™ CrossOver® vise, a reduced-size version of its very successful DX6® CrossOver vise. Similarly designed to achieve new levels in workholding strength and performance where flatness and parallelism are critical, this DX4 CrossOver vise answers machinists’ needs for smaller workholding. Kurt’s DX4 is designed for the precision requirements of CNC production to tool […]