Linear Motion Tips helps engineering and manufacturing professionals stay current on the latest linear guides and linear guide system news and information. Below you will find a variety of articles about linear guides and linear guide systems from written by industry professionals.

PRO LM Series Linear Motor Stages from Aerotech

Aerotech’s PRO LM series of high performance, cost-effective and versatile linear motor stages are offered in four different series with 38 different models in travels from 100 mm to 1.5 m. The PRO165LM, PRO225LM, PRO280LM, and PRO560LM make up the Aerotech PRO LM series of linear motor stages. They all feature a linear motion guide bearing system and high-performance brushless linear servomotor to make them the stage of choice in industrial applications such as laser machining, medical component manufacturing, and other applications requiring precise, smooth motion in a production environment.

Ultra-Smooth, Precise Motion
Aerotech’s high-power, cog-free linear motors drive the PRO LM series. The non-magnetic forcer coil provides high force with zero cogging for ultra-smooth velocity and position control. This zero-cogging design is ideal for applications requiring outstanding contour accuracy and smooth velocity profiling. Aerotech’s linear motor stages have zero backlash, no windup, and outstanding system responsiveness. The magnetic field of the linear motor is totally self-contained within the U-channel design, making these stages well-suited for high-performance applications that cannot tolerate the stray magnetic fields generated by flat motor magnet tracks.

Noncontact linear encoders with micron-level repeatabilities are standard on all PRO LM series stages. Either a line-driver output or amplified sine-wave output encoder is available. The optional HALAR factory calibration further increases the standard accuracy and repeatability.

Construction Features
Sealed linear motion guide bearings with integral wipers are incorporated to provide excellent payload capacity and long life. Both the metal waycover and tabletop are treated with a hardcoat that is scratch-resistant and provides outstanding protection in the harshest applications, while the tabletop utilizes stainless steel Helicoil™ inserts to protect mounting holes against thread wear. Several tabletop options are available for metric or English mounting, as well as for direct interface with our popular ADRS, ADRT, and AGR rotary stages. In addition, configurable cable management options are available for single- or multi-axis systems.

Aerotech
http://www.aerotech.com/products/stages/pro165lm.html

Han-Kwang releases series PS 2D short-gantry flying-optic laser system

Han-Kwang (www.hankwangus.com) is proud to introduce a new Series PS, specifically the Model PS 3015, which is a short-gantry, two-dimensional flying-optic laser system that can handle 60″ wide x 120″ long workpieces. The short-gantry arrangement is designed to enhance the user’s vision on the machine, while the series’ more compact design facilitates a high level of regulation during the cutting process.

The Model PS 3015 is designed with a rapid single axis speed of 4724ipm, simultaneous 7900ipm speed in X-Y axis, driven by two servos on the gantry, and a maximum cutting speed of 1181ipm, with positioning accuracies much better compared with +/-0.004″ per 118″ of travel and repeatability to 0.001″. To maintain optimum productivity during processing, a dual shuttle pallet system is also onboard.

The laser system from Han-Kwang has a Panasonic CO₂ laser resonator in 2.5KW, 4KW and 6KW versions, and a patented beam radius control that optimizes the beam diameter for several thickness variations and material substrates, leading to enhanced part quality.

It also features a plasma monitoring unit that constantly tracks cut errors to reduce out-of-tolerance conditions during the cutting cycle, as well as a built-in lens crack sensor that monitors the state of lens contamination. Instant alerts are also sent through the onboard Siemens CNC to provide users and maintenance personnel immediate alarm notifications.

All machine laser cutting operations and mechanical movements are controlled by the powerful SINUMERIK 840D CNC from Siemens. An optional rotary axis is also available for tube cutting up to 12″ OD with the laser system.

Techno’s New TechnoMod Gantry CNC System

Techno, Inc. Linear Motion Systems (www.technoautomation.com) is proud to introduce the TechnoMod Gantry Machine – a multi-axis motion platform complemented with complete cabling, controls, enclosure and software that were fully assembled.

Available in three different sizes, the TechnoMod Gantry CNC system can be used for dispensing, pick and place, assembly, drilling, testing, welding, routing and general automation applications.

“The New TechnoMod XYZ gantry table is completely assembled when it arrives. All electronics are wired, and software installed, allowing customers the ease of running the machine in any work cell shortly,” said Joe Griffin, Sales Manager of Techno Linear Motion. “The only setup customers may have to perform is the mounting of drill, dispenser, laser or automation tooling required for their application, and in many cases Techno can do this for the customer prior to shipping.”

The TechnoMod Gantry CNC system’s travel ranges are 650×650x275mm for the Model 65, 650×450x275mm for the Model 45 and 650×300x275mm for the Model 30. A fourth or fifth rotary axis can also be added to the machine for complex operations, while all of its drive motors are DC brushless servos that provide high torque and precision. The system can be offered with or without electronics and a sliding front door with safety interlock. It features a built-in rugged swing arm and industrial computer console, which includes a keyboard and monitor.

Haydon Kerk’s fully configurable CAD Models for RGS Linear Rail Systems

Haydon Kerk Motion Solutions (www.HaydonKerk.com) is proud to announce the release of the fully configurable and downloadable CAD Models for the entire line of Haydon Kerk’s RGS linear rail systems. CAD download’s availability includes non-motorized and motorized linear rail systems with the flexibility to modify/change such features as number of carriages, rail length, motor voltage, motor step angle, screw resolution and other parameters. Optional IDEA™ integrated programmable drive system can also be added to several linear rail configurations. Though more than 10,000 possible linear rail configurations are available in the CAD system, the company will customize any system for the specific needs of the application.

All RGS linear rail systems have anti-backlash and wear-compensating driven carriages to insure accurate and repeatable positioning. Moving surfaces include Kerkite’s engineered polymers operating on Kerkote TFE coating to provide stable and strong platform for several linear motion applications. RGS linear rails come with screw leads that range from 0.025in to 2.0in. When RGS linear rail systems are combined with optional Haydon motors, the systems provide linear travel resolution that ranges from 0.0000625in per step to 0.010in per step.

Through the combined multiple technologies in a single linear rail assembly, the premier manufacturer is able to enhance system integration for the end user or OEM. The overall cost is also lessened through the simplification of product development with only fewer components required.

RGS linear rail systems’ applications include semiconductor processing equipment, laboratory instrumentation, life science equipment and several other applications that require precision linear motion.

Aerotech ANT130-5-V Vertical Lift Stage

Aerotech’s ANT130-5-V is a linear-motor-driven wedge-style vertical lift stage that provides the exceptional resolution, accuracy, and in-position stability required in nanopositioning applications, all while offering travel up to 5 mm. It is a precision stage that is perfectly at home in industrial applications. The ANT130-5-V was designed for stand-alone use or can be seamlessly integrated with other stages in the Aerotech ANT stage family for a superior multi-axis nanopositioning system.

ANT130-5-V stages utilize advanced direct-drive technology, pioneered by Aerotech, as well as anti-creep crossed-roller bearings to achieve the highest level of positioning performance. Aerotech direct-drive technology is non-cogging, noncontact, high-speed, high-resolution, and high-accuracy. The lack of hysteresis or backlash enables accurate and repeatable nanometer motion. The unique drive and bearing combination, packaged in an extremely compact profile and footprint, offers tangible advantages in high-precision positioning applications such as disk-drive fabrication, fiber alignment, optical delay element actuation, sensor testing, and scanning processes that demand smooth, precise, stable, and repeatable motion.

The ANT130-5-V family has universal mounting and tabletop patterns that allow for easy system integration. Two, three, or more axes can be easily combined for flexible system designs and multi-axis configurations.

Outstanding accuracy, position repeatability, and in-position stability require high system resolution. The ANT130-5-V stage’s industry-leading 2 nm minimum incremental step size provides this high level of performance.

Aerotech
www.aerotech.com

Bishop-Wisecarver Promotes National Sales Manager

Pittsburg, CA - Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation announced that National Sales Manager Michael McVeigh has been promoted to Vice President of Sales. He will have the primary responsibility of overseeing the entire sales channel for Bishop-Wisecarver, and manage all global efforts both domestically and internationally.

“I have had the pleasure of working with Mike for four years as our National Sales Manager. He has done a fabulous job of growing our sales efforts, even during the recent economic downturn,” said Pamela Kan, president of Bishop-Wisecarver. “The Board of Directors felt that bringing Mikes’ management skills to our entire sales channel will be an important element of our global sales efforts going forward. I look forward to working with Mike on our strategic sales plans for growing our sales both domestically and internationally.”

McVeigh is a college graduate from the University of New York at Buffalo. Prior to joining Bishop-Wisecarver in 2006 as the National Sales Manager, McVeigh worked in the bearing industry for 16 years in both sales and marketing. Since his hire at Bishop-Wisecarver, he has grown to appreciate the uniqueness of Bishop-Wisecarver’s customer base and their applications.

“Our overriding company goal is to become the customer’s 1st choice,” said McVeigh. “I am honored to be leading our team to meet this challenge as the Vice President of Sales.”

Bishop-Wisecarver
www.bwc.com

New URS precision rotation stages from Newport

Newport Corporation (www.newport.com), a global leader in photonic and laser solutions that “Make, Manage and Measure Light”, is proud to announce the release of the URS50BPP and the URS50BCC precision rotation stages that feature 360°, continuous motion. These new stages have the smallest footprint of 50mm in size, and are offered in very affordable price, while maintaining the high performance of URS motion product family from Newport.

The URS50BPP and the URS50BCC provide very low wobble and backlash-free, continuous rotation with extremely high MTBF of up to 20,000. Competitively priced, the high-performing rotation stages feature large stage performance in a very small package. The two stages also offer exceptional 6µm eccentricity and easy integration.

The URS50B’s feature a one of a kind, two-part bearing design with pre-tempered bearings and steel gears to ensure long-life motion positioning and precision. The URS50BCC, the DC-motor version with embedded index pulse for precision homing, is best suited for demanding applications that need bi-directional positioning.

The economical URSBPP stepper motor version is ideal for less demanding, yet precision rotation applications. Each URS50B has a cable URS50B for plug-and-play compatibility with XPS, SMC and ESP.

Aerotech introduces brushless linear servomotor-driven stages for industrial applications

Aerotech (www.aerotech.com) has unveiled a new PRO-LM range of direct-drive, brushless linear servomotor-driven stages. The range now includes a new 280mm wide version that comes in eight travel options from 300mm to 1.5m for heavy-load precision positioning and high-throughput applications in harsh environments. The fully protected and side-sealed/hard-top stages have heavy-duty linear motion guide bearings, optional cable management and sub-micron encoder feedback. These are available in nominal widths of 165mm, 225mm and 280mm, which can be mixed to optimize application load and travel requirements.

The new PRO280LM is based on the successful side-sealed design that the company has developed over the past generations of ball screw-driven stages and linear motor. The aluminum hard top cover – finished in a scratch-resistant hard coat – is a preferred alternative to plastic bellows or soft fabric stage covers, especially made for applications like laser machining. Its vertical-tensioned side straps completely seal the internal stage components from process or machining debris. A wide array of optional tabletops with steel inserts permit YZ, XZ or XY configurations with other PRO series stages with 5arc-sec orthogonality certification. Tabletop plates are available for Aerotech’s AGR, ADRT and ADRS series rotary stages or to suit customer workpiece mounting in inch and metric hole patterns. Cable management is also available for single-axis or customer-specified XYZ+rotary, XY, and XYZ stage configurations.

Aerotech said that its new PRO280LM features a positioning resolution of 250nm from a choice of amplified sine output encoders or 0.1 micron line driver. Additional impressive specifications include accuracy to +/-3 microns for the 1.5m travel version (+/-2 microns for the 300mm travel stage) with speeds to 2m/s and acceleration to 3g.

Haydon Kerk Introduces RGS04 Motorized Linear Rail System

The company announces the dual carriage RGS04 motorized linear rail system. The system combines the company’s patented motion technologies in a single integrated system. The RGS brand linear rail will come preassembled with the IDEA programmable actuator that simplifies product integration for the OEM.

The rails have standard wear-compensating, anti-backlash driven carriages for accurate positioning. All moving surfaces have engineered polymers that run on Kerkote TFE coating, giving a stable platform for several linear motion applications.

The IDEA programmable system combines a fully programmable, integrated stepper motor drive with Haydon hybrid linear actuator. The programmable drive has an easy-to-use patent pending graphic user interface to directly program motion profiles into the system. It also contains a debug utility for easy troubleshooting, allowing line-by-line execution of a motion program.

By combining technologies into one preassembled unit, the company is able to improve system integration for the end user or equipment OEM. The overall cost is lowered by giving a complete solution as it simplifies product development with fewer components required and eliminates the need for rotary-to-linear conversion.

Applications include laboratory instrumentation, life science equipment, semiconductor processing equipment and other applications requiring precision linear motion.

Compact Linear-Motor Gantry from Aerotech

Aerotech’s AGS1500 series Cartesian gantry systems are designed for ultra-precision, high-dynamic contouring, and provide outstanding performance in precision micromachining, stencil cutting, fuel cell manufacturing, solder-ball placement, printed electronics, high-speed pick-and-place, automated assembly, vision inspection, dispensing stations, and high-accuracy inspection.

The AGS1500 is based on our industry-leading AGS15000 gantry, and maintains many of the same leading-edge characteristics but in a more compact footprint. The planar design minimizes dynamic pitch errors at the work point. The design also keeps the linear motors and linear encoders to the outside of the work area, making the gantry less susceptible to debris-induced damage.

High Speed/High Acceleration
Aerotech’s high-performance brushless linear servomotors drive the AGS1500 to speeds of 3 m/s and accelerations of 5 g. Dual linear motors and encoders are included on the lower axis for the highest level of performance and precision. The bearings are preloaded linear motion guides with wiper seals and grease fittings, and are mounted to provide optimized dynamic stiffness and load distribution. The rugged noncontact optical linear encoders offer resolutions to 1 nm when coupled with Aerotech’s controllers.

Long-Lasting Cable Management System
The cable management system (CMS) is optimized and field-proven as the industry’s most reliable design. Large bend radii and high-flex cables ensure that the AGS1500 provides millions of cycles of maintenance-free operation. In the unlikely event of a component failure, the AGS1500’s modular design ensures that part replacement is fast and easy.

All customer cabling and pneumatics can be routed through the system e-chain. Connectors are provided at the work piece and at the opposite end of the e-chain, greatly simplifying final machine integration.

Aerotech’s years of experience manufacturing precision positioning and control systems can be leveraged by acquiring a turnkey system. Typical options include Z-theta mechanisms, risers to accommodate automated parts handling equipment, brackets for flying optics components, isolation systems, and machine bases that are designed to accommodate the entire controls and electronics subsystems. In addition, Aerotech manufactures a wide range of amplifiers and advanced motion controllers that are optimized for high-performance automation applications and are a perfect complement to your Aerotech gantry.

Aerotech
www.aerotech.com/products/gantries/ags1500.html

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