Most prevalent are worm gear screw jacks because they can lift heavy loads with little input torque. The large mechanical advantage is through a worm gear ranging from 5:1 to 32:1 in combinations with lead screw or a ball screw. Ball screw jacks differ from machine screw jacks in a few key ways. Machine screw […]
Linear Actuators Archive
Get the latest product news, technical info, and FAQs about linear actuators.
When is a worm-screw jack the best linear motion solution for a vertical application?
Worm-screw jacks are a linear-motion design that’s been around for decades — though the modern version of the screw jack has changed a lot since its inception in the 1940s. Today’s versions use a basic worm-gear mechanism to drive either an acme screw or ball screw. When is a worm-screw jack a suitable linear-motion solution? […]
How to calculate acceleration
Once you know which move profile is being used, you’ll need to know how to calculate acceleration based on total move distance and total move time. When sizing a linear system, a lot of attention is given to velocity, but the effects of acceleration on the system and its components are often more significant than […]
SKF CAHB-E series electromechanical linear actuators — Drop-in alternatives to hydraulics
New SKF CAHB-E series electromechanical linear actuators introduce powerful, efficient, and environmentally friendly drop-in alternatives to hydraulic systems, whether for OEM or aftermarket system applications. These next-generation actuators are engineered to deliver increased thrust and holding force compared with previous designs and to achieve enhanced levels of speed, precision, and reliability. They ultimately can perform […]
Video: Electric H-Track actuators from Altra Industrial Motion: Hydraulics drive medical, mobile, and solar designs
In a recent video with Paul J. Heney, I got the chance to review the features of an H-Track actuator from Warner Linear of Altra Industrial Motion. As we detail, applications abound for medical, off-highway, and industrial applications. In fact, the electric H-Track actuators deliver the smooth motion and strength of hydraulics but from a compact […]
Power of V8 … and nanometer precision positioning in PI’s new piezo linear motor
Motion control and piezo systems expert PI (Physik Instrumente) introduces a new robust OEM walking motor drive, the N-331, with its configuration rooted in existing patented piezo actuator technology and a patented piezo stepping motion principle design. Based on the application of historically successful technology, the new design it is suitable for use in high-end […]
LINAK now sells integrated controller (IC) actuator LA33 for farming and agriculture
Many manufacturers of adjustable applications for example farming, mobile agriculture, or industrial automation are familiar with LINAK actuators with integrated controller functions — including the LA14, LA25, and LA36. Now a new mid-range offering completes the LINAK portfolio. The new powerful actuator is the LA33 electric linear actuator. It’s a mid-range powerhouse to supply a perfect fit where small actuators […]
MKS offers Newport high-performance (linear-motor-driven) Delay line stages
MKS Instruments now sells Newport DLS Series high-performance linear actuators called Delay Line Stages. The DLS series features affordable high performance linear-motor-driven stages with integrated motion controllers. Optimized for retroreflectors, repeatable femtosecond positioning and exceptionally fast traverse speeds, the compact stages are a perfect fit for spectroscopy applications that require single or multiple delay lines. With travel […]
Maintenance-free chains for applications in conveying systems
iwis now sells Megalife maintenance-free roller and conveyor chains. The special characteristics of the Megalife chains allow longer replacement intervals and reduce maintenance costs and downtimes of conveying systems. The chains are used wherever relubrication is not possible or disadvantageous, for example in dry ambient conditions and on installations with restricted maintenance access. This includes conveying […]
Podcast: Scott of Nippon on iron core, U-channel, and tubular linear motors
In a recent Technology Tuesdays podcast, Brian Scott, application engineer at Nippon Pulse America, talked to me a little bit about linear motors including iron core, U-channel, and tubular linear motors … and the benefits and drawbacks of each. He also shed some light on the major design objectives OEMs cite when migrating axes to linear motors. Click here […]