A number of recent advances have improved ballscrew performance, meaning that motion engineers can get more for less. One trend is the continued interest in integrated designs. For instance, ballscrew-based linear actuators are available as all-in-one packages. The benefit is that such integrated packages significantly reduce design time as well as time required for assembling a […]
Linear Actuators Archive
Get the latest product news, technical info, and FAQs about linear actuators.
Linear actuator with high resolution, 66-lb pushing force from PI
Designed for highly accurate and fast repetitive industrial applications, the L-239 compact linear actuator is the newest addition to the suite of motion control solutions available from PI (Physik Instrumente). Equipped with precision ground ball screws for higher speed and a longer service life, the L-239 high force actuator has a positioning range of 52 […]
Tolomatic food-grade servo actuator for food and beverage processing
The Tolomatic IMA electric linear actuator, the company’s most powerful integrated servomotor rod actuator, is now available with a food-grade white epoxy coating and stainless steel components for washdown applications in the food and beverage industry. The compact, durable IMA actuator series integrates a servomotor and a ball or roller screw for long service life […]
Thomson expands WhisperTrak linear actuator line with new options for higher load and speed
Thomson Industries, Inc., a leading manufacturer of mechanical motion control solutions, has expanded its WhisperTrak actuator line to give motion system designers greater ability to extend quiet, compact actuation to more demanding applications. New additions to the WhisperTrak linear actuator line double force-handling capability from 2 kN to 4 kN; provide higher-speed operation at 2 […]
What you missed at Automate 2017: Linear-motion technologies and more
We had a lot of fun last week at the Automate 2017 Show in Chicago — and some 20,000 other people did as well. Hot new robotics, motion control, and other technologies for automation wowed crowds big and small. On the front for linear motion, the big news this year at Automate was the expanding use of seventh-axis systems for extending […]
Thought leader Jeremy Miller on the migration from fluid power to electromechanical technologies
At a recent visit to the Parker Hannifin Electromechanical and Drives Division in Irwin, Pa., I got the chance to hear the perspective of Jeremy Miller, Product Manager — Linear Mechanics. I asked him about some of the major design objectives Parker’s customers cite when changing their designs from fluid power to electromechanical. Click here […]
How to specify linear actuator travel
One of the most important criteria when selecting a linear actuator is how far it needs to travel. The travel, or stroke length, can dictate the type of drive mechanisms that are practical (screw, belt, rack and pinion, or linear motor). But more importantly, specifying the wrong stroke or travel can leave you with an […]
What are linear stepper motors?
Like most linear motors, a linear stepper motor is essentially a variation of the rotary design, cut radially and laid out flat. Similar to their rotary counterparts in operation and performance, linear stepper motors are typically run as open-loop systems and are capable of providing high resolution at high speeds and accelerations. The linear stepper motor almost exclusively […]
ServoWeld actuators from Tolomatic for automotive resistance spot welding
New ServoWeld actuators from Tolomatic are redesigned for higher performance and are lighter weight compared to other screw technologies. Featuring roller screws designed and manufactured by Tolomatic, the ServoWeld actuators are made especially for resistance spot welding (RSW) applications in the automotive industry. The ServoWeld actuators deliver 20 million welds or more, much longer than […]
Thomson releases new linear-actuator videos
Thomson Industries Inc. has released its latest set of educational videos on linear actuators. The web videos illustrate step-by-step methods on how to install and control actuators in order to meet various industry demands. Thomson Tech Tips videos support design engineers who may face potential mishaps or simply want to ensure proper operation of the […]