Linear motors are essential to controlling linear motion in manufacturing processes. Linear Motion Tips recognizes this and provides engineers and manufacturing professionals with current and comprehensive articles about linear motors and linear motion technology.

Nippon Pulse introduces L427 Series Linear Shaft Servomotor

RADFORD, VA — Nippon Pulse has introduced the L427 series, a linear shaft servomotor that features a 5mm air gap between the forcer and magnetic shaft. In the Linear Shaft Motor (LSM) family, the L427 series is a low-maintenance linear motion solution that has applications in a wide industry range.

With a 5mm air gap between the motors forcer and shaft, users have more flexibility when machining their device to level. It is also a good motion solution when a user does not have the ability or resources to do an accurate alignment of the forcer and the shaft.

The L427 series is an optimal solution in environments where there is the potential for matter to stick to and build up on the shaft. When there is the potential for debris to build up on the shaft, the 5mm air gap will prevent the motor from jamming and will also increase the time required between cleanings.

The L427 features a usable stroke length between 100 and 4,600 millimeters and has a constant force of 110N. The motor’s peak force is 450N, while its force constant is 31(Kf) N/Amps. Other features of the product include a 42.7 mm shaft diameter, a 3.6A continuous current, a 14A peak current, a 10 V/m/s back EMF, and a 3kg forcer weight.

Nippon Pulse’s Linear Shaft Motor has three basic concepts. It is simple, consisting of only a magnetic shaft and a forcer. The motor is also high precision, taking advantage of its ironless make-up to offer zero cogging, while giving complete stiffness. Being non-contact, the shaft motor has a non-critical air-gap that eliminates variation in force over the entire stroke of the device.

Nippon Pulse America, Inc.
www.nipponpulse.com

Ceramic Linear Piezo Motor from Physik Instrumente

Auburn, Mass. – PI (Physik Instrumente) introduces the new N-216 NEXLINE® high-load piezo linear motors. These highly precise nanopositioning actuators provide travel ranges to 20mm with a resolution of 0.03nm, and push/pull forces to 600N (130lbs) and holding forces to 800N (177lbs).

The piezoceramic clamping and shear elements act directly on a moving runner coupled to the load. For maximum velocity, and long distance movements, the runner can be driven in full step mode. Extremely uniform motion and constant velocity is achieved with the nanostepping mode.

The N-216 linear motors come in two versions for open- or closed-loop operation, as well as in two different load configurations. Closed-loop versions are equipped with a linear encoder for direct position measurement of the moving runner. The encoder features 5nm resolution over the full travel range.

Applications include high-end ultra-precision manufacturing and semiconductor test equipment to astronomy and high energy physics applications. Extreme reliability makes them ideal for applications in difficult-to-access internals of instruments, requiring nanometer-realm adjustment and/or vibration cancellation.

For datasheets or more information, email info@pi-usa.us or visit www.pi-usa.us.

SQUIGGLE® RV Micro Motion System

Victor, NY – New Scale Technologies, Inc. announced a breakthrough in piezo motion control system design. The SQUIGGLE RV reduced voltage linear drive system consists of a SQL-RV-1.8-6-12 SQUIGGLE motor and NSD-2101 drive ASIC. It is the industry’s first miniature piezo motor drive solution with a driver chip that is smaller than the motor and driven directly from battery power as low as 2.3 VDC without the need for a voltage boost.

The SQUIGGLE RV motor is New Scale’s next-generation piezo micro motor, using state-of-the-art, multi-layer piezo technology from TDK-EPC (www.epcos.com) to reduce the input voltage requirements of this tiny motor – still the world’s smallest linear motor at 2.8 x 2.8 x 6 mm. The NSD-2101 driver was developed for this new motor in partnership with austriamicrosystems (www.austriamicrosystems.com) using advanced integrated circuit designs and patented control systems. This smart IC measures only 1.8mm x 1.8mm and drives the SQUIGGLE RV motor directly, without the need for an external boost circuit.

The SQUIGGLE RV linear drive system is more than five times smaller and uses 40% less power than comparable electromagnetic linear drive systems.

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Linear Motor Axes Deliver Cutting-edge Motion

With acceleration values of 140 m/s², Festo linear motor direct drives are the perfect actuators for fast acceleration with high precision, such as is required in photovoltaics production, medical technology, the electronics industry or the assembly of small parts in the clock and watch-making industry.

The electric linear motor drives ELGL-LAS, DNCE-LAS and DFME-LAS accelerate at one and a half to four times the rate of all other electric and pneumatic drives used in automation technology. They are also two to three times faster than electric axes with a spindle or belt drive. And all this to an accuracy of 10 µm. This makes linear motor axes the ideal choice for short assembly times, where not only high speeds but above all high rates of acceleration are required.
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Saia® UAL series Linear Stepper Motors from Johnson Electric

VANDALIA, OH – Johnson Electric introduces Saia® UAL series Linear Stepper Motors. These motors deliver constant positioning force up to 30 N over the full travel distance of up to 15 mm, at speeds up to 4.16 mm/s at 200 Hz. They feature a unique removable bayonet-style flange for easy mounting, a flexible design that easily accommodates various custom requirements, and a compact 20 x 30 mm footprint to deliver advanced performance in space restricted applications.

Saia UAL series motors are available in unipolar or bipolar models, with performance attributes that make them well suited for use in instrumentation, valve control, dispensing, metering pump, auger and medical automation applications.

Johnson Electric
www.saia-motor-usa.com

ServoTube Hygienic Linear Actuator

Copley Motion Systems will launch a new high performance direct drive linear motor at SPS/IPC/Drives this year in Nuremberg that is constructed entirely from stainless steel for use in the most demanding industrial environments.

The ServoTube Hygienic is constructed from precision machined austenitic stainless steel, with a smooth hygienic design that is free from dirt traps and suitable for use in the most demanding and corrosive industrial or aseptic environments.

Because there is no mechanical linkage between the fixed forcer body and the moving rod, there is no wear and its integrated field-replaceable polymer bearings require no lubrication. The position sensor is always accurate, and is protected from dirt or damage because it is built into the direct drive linear motor’s body. This elemental design meets the DIN IP69K ingress protection requirements, allowing the linear motor to be used in dirty or wet environments and to be cleaned with pressurized jet wash systems.

Direct drive motion also offers significant performance improvements compared to existing linear systems. High peak force and low inertia guarantees highly dynamic movements, and the ServoTube Hygienic offers 25 micron repeatability throughout the lifetime of the linear motor.

Marketing Director Steve Hickman commented, “The ServoTube Hygienic is the first linear actuator that can be used in the real-life wash-down applications our customers have to operate in. We believe that its IP69K ingress protection rating, non-corrosive all stainless construction and high speed actuation offers no-compromise linear motion for the most demanding hygienic and industrial processing environments.”

Whereas existing belt drive and ballscrew drive linear systems comprise several component parts, the ServoTube range of direct drive linear motors require only a standard Servo drive, and where applicable, a linear rail to operate. This reduces system complexity, maintenance and saves space – because no servomotor or gearhead is required.

Electrically, the ServoTube Hygienic operates from a 3-phase 600V supply and provides a digital incremental encoder and commutation output for use with most standard digital servo drives.

Available from November, the ServoTube Hygienic will be initially available in two models that both offer +/-400 micron position accuracy and 25 micron repeatability. The XHB3804 and XHB3810 provide 744 and 1860N peak force capability and are capable of speeds of 4.7 and 2.6m/s respectively. Both models can be water cooled providing up to 70% extra continuous force for applications requiring high work rates, or for use in environments with a high ambient temperature.

The ServoTube Hygienic provides highly compact, high throughput moving rod linear actuation with integrated field replaceable polymer bearings to support the moving rod. For off-axis loads an external bearing rail can be used.

This specialized linear direct drive linear motor is suitable for applications including food and pharmaceutical processing and packaging, industrial plants, chemical processing, and any environment where dirt, pressurized jet washing, and corrosive cleaning chemicals make standard linear actuation systems unsuitable.

Copley Controls Corp.
www.copleycontrols.com

Linear Stepper Motors from H2W Technologies

Santa Clarita, CA — Choose an easily integrated, low cost, high performance, 2-phase or 4-phase, linear stepper motor from H2W Technologies to improve the performance of an existing motion control system or create a new high speed, high accuracy system. These, compact, industry standard, 12 lb. Linear Steppers (53 N continuous Force, 16 lbs, 71 N peak force) travel at 80 in/sec. [2 m/sec.], with 1 micron [0.00004 in.] resolution, and can operate in any axis. Additionally, these 12 lb. Linear Steppers feature 1G acceleration and are the ideal choice for any of the following: New and existing gantry robots, pick-and-place systems, wire bonders, parts transfer, fiber optic, semiconductor, medical, and other precision robotic applications.

Available with a hard chrome, solid or hollow “platen” (track) in lengths up to 144 inches (3.65 meters), longer travels can be achieved by supplying the platens in sections, the H2W Technologies, industry standard, 12 lb. Linear Stepper is capable of very precise position, velocity and acceleration control when integrated with a microstepping drive and indexer. The resolution of these 2-phase or 4-phase motors is determined by the driver. One full step equals .010 in. [250 microns] and one microstep equals .00004 in. [1 micron]. Ideal for open loop positioning applications with moderate payloads, the “12 lb. Linear Stepper” can also be operated as a brushless linear servo with up to 5 Gs of acceleration and no loss of accuracy.

Capable of generating 12 lbs. [53 N] of continuous force, these single axis linear steppers have a forcer [motor], air bearings, side guide bearings, and platen [track] integrated into a compact, low-profile, package. The forcer connects to a motion control system via flying leads or “D” connector. Multiple forcers can operate on a single platen at the same time. Linear steppers can also be custom designed to meet a particular application’s requirements. Complete motion control packages including and indexer and driver for open loop operation or encoder, motion controller, and driver for closed loop brushless servo motor operation are available from H2W Technologies.

H2W Technologies, Inc.
www.h2wtech.com

Miniature Piezomotor Linear Slide

Auburn, MA – Physik Instrumente’s (PI) patented P-653 piezomotor linear slide is significantly smaller than other miniature linear stages and provides significantly higher velocities and resolution. It features a travel range of 2mm with force generation to 0.15N and comes pre-assembled and mounted on a PC board and is only 8mm long.

This true linear motor system has no conversion of rotation, eliminating rotary conversion losses, and consists of only 4 parts and can replace classical drive elements like miniaturized motor/lead screw systems or other linear motors with speeds of up to 200mm/sec (8in./sec) and an auto-locking feature. Integration of the P-653 is simple because the moving slider and the piezomotor are delivered assembled as a unit on a PCB driver board running on 5VDC.

P-653-series PILine® ultrasonic motors are ideal for OEM applications where quantities are high and space is at a premium. The systems are optimized for moving small objects such as optical fibers, micro-optics, or micro-electromechanical elements fast and precisely. These non-magnetic ceramic motors can also be used in medical applications.

Motion is controlled by TTL voltage pulses applied to the driver electronics. The self-adjusting driver creates the high-frequency, nanometer level oscillations (~500kHz) that make the ultrasonic ceramic motor move. PILine^® linear piezomotors are based on a patented ultrasonic drive. At the heart of the system is a rectangular monolithic piezoceramic plate (the stator), segmented on one side by two electrodes. Depending on the desired direction of motion, the left or right electrode of the piezoceramic plate is excited to produce high-frequency eigenmode oscillations of hundreds of kilohertz. PILine® motors are vacuum compatible, non-magnetic and self-locking.

A developer’s kit can now be ordered from PI-USA’s Piezo Basics Online Store at http://store.pi-usa.us/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=P-653.01D

www.pi.ws

Animatics Publishes Motion Systems Product Catalog

Animatics Corporation has published a new 145-page catalog on their expanded line of Motion Systems Products and Peripherals. This comprehensive catalog includes eight product segments fully detailing SmartMotor™ specifications, FieldBus protocols, brake options, connectivity, peripherals, power supplies, gear heads, and software.

Included is an expanded, dynamic fold-out selection chart comparing all the different SmartMotor frame sizes and lengths. Torque curves are now presented at three different input voltages with superimposed, easy-to-read power curves to help optimize use of the increased SmartMotor power for specific applications.

A new section includes Application Examples illustrating the numerous SmartMotor product features and capabilities. Design guides and conversion charts make the catalog an essential application development tool.

Also featured is information on the Animatics Institute which offers in-depth training programs covering SmartTechnologies™ as well as sales and marketing strategies for Smart products and systems.

www.animatics.com

Thomson Launches Micron MOTIONEERING® Web-Based Gearhead Sizing and Selection Tool

WOOD DALE, IL – Thomson introduces Micron MOTIONEERING®, a new web-based sizing and selection tool for Micron TRUE Planetary™ Gearheads. Micron MOTIONEERING offers “Select by Model Number” or “Sizing and Selection” modes to deliver downloadable 2D and 3D models, expected life calculations, as well as pricing, ordering and delivery information to help machine builders quickly specify the right gearhead to satisfy specific application performance requirements. For users who need it fast, Micron MOTIONEERING also lists all of the size and ratio combinations that are available to ship within 24 hours via the Gearhead Express Program.

Using the “Sizing and Selection” option, users simply enter key technical requirements in a few simple steps, and Micron MOTIONEERING delivers the optimized gearhead solution. Alternately, machine builders who already know the gearhead they need can simply use the “Select by Model Number” option to enter a product line, frame size, ratio and RediMount Motor Mounting System. Micron MOTIONEERING then delivers a specific single part number, pricing and delivery information, as well as a downloadable 2D and 3D model.

The flexible Micron RediMount™ mounting system enables the specified gearhead to be mounted to any of hundreds of the most popular motors available in the industry today in three easy steps – simply align, mount and tighten.

Thomson
www.thomsonlinear.com

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