The Haydon high output linear actuators were designed and built with performance and durability in mind. Technical enhancements include optimized stator tooth geometry, high energy neodymium magnets, custom engineered plastics, and larger ball bearings for greater rotor support for maintaining accuracy and repeatability over a long life.

The high output can stack line provides exceptionally high force-to-size ratios and is ideal for a variety of applications including precision medical equipment, scientific instrumentation, scanning devices, printing equipment, advanced optics, and other mechanisms requiring high force in a compact size.

The linear actuators are available in a variety of resolutions (linear travel per step). There are 3 configurations available including captive, non-captive, and external linear offering a variety of stoke lengths.

Haydon Kerk
www.HaydonKerk.com

The HSM 400U LP is extremely fast and dynamic and achieves speed of up to 150RPM on the swivel axis and up to 250RPM on the rotational axis, with a 220° B-axis swivel range. The machining center utilizes a liquid-cooled, linear direct drive motor technology that allows high dynamic rigidity and short setting times of the attitude control. Moreover, the linear direct drive is combined with central oil lubrication to ensure excellent, long-term precision and reduce friction-induced wear.

With powerful vector spindles in 30,000RPM, 42,000RPM or 54,000RPM, the HSM 400U LP also offers excellent part detail and surface finish, while reducing the machining time for finishing and semi-finishing operations. Its 1.7g acceleration and high dynamics help maximize spindle utilization and help facilitate the reduction of non-productive time.

The new HSM 400U LP has the capability for 24/7 unattended machining through the optional pallet changer with 20/48 pallets. The fully integrable pallet magazine further improves the equipment’s automation potential. While the machine is cutting, the pallet changer can be loaded, resulting in a minimum idle time for the machining center.

The machine is equipped with smart machining modules and a Heidenhain iTNC 530 control system, which offer advanced levels of monitoring. The system allows the equipment to automatically check and evaluate workpieces and tools, perform measurements of the workpiece and inspect tools for breakage. Moreover, the smart machine modules automatically calibrate machine geometry, monitor spindle vibration and transmit status messages to an operator’s mobile phone.

The 19000 Series is a 20mm linear actuator in the G4 line of products that leverages the same improvements as the recently released 25mm and 36mm linear actuators. Technical enhancements include optimized stator tooth geometry, high energy neodymium magnets, custom engineered plastics, and larger ball bearings for greater rotor support and high axial loading capability.

The G4 19000 Series provides a high linear force-to-size ratio and is ideal for precision linear motion in a variety of applications including medical equipment, bar code scanning devices, printing equipment, laboratory instrumentation, and other mechanisms requiring high force and extreme durability from a small linear actuator package.

There are 3 configurations available as with other Haydon stepper motor linear actuators; Captive, Non-Captive, and External Linear.

Haydon Kerk Motion Solutions, Inc.
www.HaydonKerk.com

The LM 1247 motor from MicroMo is a typical example of small direct drive linear servomotors. A three-phase delta-wound coil drives the output shaft containing embedded permanent magnets, while Hall Effect sensors monitor shaft position.

The new design is largely driven by application needs, with the fact that automation and discrete applications increasingly rely on local, compact direct drives. Conventional drive concepts for translating rotational to linear motion using dc drives are available, but the smaller they become the more maintenance they tend to require.

Traditionally, there are three construction types suitable for small linear actuators: pneumatic drives, small or micromotors with spindle gears, and linear electric motors.

A pneumatic drive requires a pneumatic cylinder with a compressed air system and expensive pipe or tube to operate. It involves the compression of air at an inlet port to drive a piston that in turn drives a rod. Such a setup is very simple and effective. Pneumatic linear actuators are also easy to assemble, can produce a lot of power and have very fast actuation times. On the down side, they can be difficult to adjust and not easily controllable. Pneumatic systems may not be cost effective either, as wear and mean runtime are based on a clean air system and environment. But perhaps most importantly, in a micro drive environment that needs ultra accurate positioning, this would not be a practical situation.

Micro motors with spindle gears are another linear actuation method. Here, the accuracy depends on the type of lead screw used. So the pitch and run out along with the general hysteresis of the device, including backlash, will greatly affect the precision. In general, micro motors with spindle gears are capable of producing very high precision and accurate motion, but this comes at much higher cost of using the highest quality lead screws with the best precision and accuracy.

The stator measures just 12.5 x 19.9 x 49.4 mm (W x H x L), including power connection. The rotor bar comes in two versions, each 6.3 mm in diameter and 82 or 154 mm long. This makes stroke lengths of up to 20 or 80 mm possible, which is sufficient for many microdrive applications.
The resolution or smallest possible movement of the rotor bar is just 6 µm, and repeatability (maximum deviation on multiple movements of the same kind) is 40_µm. Three linear Hall sensors combined with a motion controller limit the maximum positional error, or the difference between the set and measured position of the system, to 120_µm. As all values are determined solely electronically, mechanical tolerances, wear and tear and thermal expansion of components are of no consequence.

Linear Electric Motors
Traditional linear motors were basically a permanent-magnet rotary motor rolled out and laid flat. Imagine the stator and rotor being cut along a radial plane and then unrolled so that they could provide linear thrust. Energizing the stationary part of the motor causes motion in the moving part, which typically contains some type of conductive material.

The new linear electric motor design goes back to rotary ideas. The motor itself is contained within a nonmagnetic steel housing. A self-supporting coil sits inside, along with the sleeve bearing of the forcer rod made out of special slide-bearing material. The coils are glued and connected together and after the insertion in the housing a plastic injection makes for a self-supporting structure so that there is no core for the structure rigidity. Inside the forcer rod-a high-precision sliding cylinder-are small ultrastrong permanent magnets in the shape of a disk. The rod-magnet assembly is free to move inside and out of the coil. As the coil is energized and de-energized, this produces a magnetic field which can move the forcer rod forward or backward, creating motion. A circuit board with electronics for the three Hall sensors that determine positioning is hidden under the top cover, along with the power connection.

Traditional linear motors are essentially a permanent-magnet rotary motor rolled out and laid flat. Energizing the coil assembly produces motion.

This new design provides for almost floatational movement of the forcer rod in the sleeve bearing. Because the magnetic field is so close to the bearings, the rotor and stator operation is like a magnetic levitation train where the forcer rod “floats” in the magnetic field. This reduces the friction by orders of magnitude over traditional linear motors. Wear is limited and is a direct result of rod speed and rod loading this also limits the heat generated.

This design adds all of the benefits of a pneumatic cylinder (power, fast actuation times, and quiet operation) with the added flexibility of an electromechanical motor, such as the size and being able to operate in a dual push and pull mode.

Moving the forcer rod by hand reveals no cogging force, just a smooth motion without resistance. In other types of linear motors this residual cogging force can be clearly felt. This makes for sticktion-free operation and improvers the overall efficiency of the motor.

Discuss this on the Engineering Exchange:

MicroMo
www.micromo.com

::Design World::

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

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.

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.

The NSD-2101 accepts direct 2.3 VDC to 5.5 VDC battery power and uses patented full-bridge switching technology to create the ultrasonic motor drive frequency. The IC also has patent-pending smart drive features built in that optimize motor performance while minimizing power consumption over a broad range of operating and environmental conditions. The NSD-2101 requires only DC battery power and digital I2C control commands to achieve unrivaled miniature motion control performance.

The SQL-RV-1.8 motor achieves forces in excess of 50 grams and high resolution to 0.5 micrometer. It can run at speeds greater than 7 mm/sec with power consumption of less than 350 mW when moving under typical loading conditions. This corresponds to a DC current of only 120 mA for a typical 3 VDC battery. Its unique self-locking design means that zero power is needed to hold the motor position, providing additional power savings.

New Scale’s TRACKER™ NSE-5310 linear encoder, the world’s smallest linear position sensor, can be integrated with the SQUIGGLE RV system for high system repeatability with submicron resolution.

The reduced voltage SQUIGGLE RV micro motor is ideal where high precision, miniature size and low power consumption are a must. These include medical, security, optical and imaging systems; consumer electronics; precision biomedical actuators; and miniature actuation for aerospace and industrial applications. Its small size makes it ideal for creating tiny, high resolution integrated closed-loop motion systems.

New Scale’s DK-RV-1.8 series developer kits include all hardware as well as New Scale Pathway™ development software with scripting capabilities in a convenient, plug-and-play reference design for prototype development and integration. Open-loop developer’s kits contain an SQL-RV-1.8 micro motor and NSD-2101 driver; closed-loop kits also include a New Scale TRACKER™ NSE-5310 linear encoder.

A 3D CAD file of the SQL-RV-1.8 motor and additional reference information is available at www.newscaltech.com (registration required.)

New Scale Technologies
www.newscaletech.com

Short strokes in less than 20 milliseconds: the linear motor drive DNCE-LAS. (Photo: Festo)

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.

Complete system

All three linear axes are supplied as complete, ready-to-use systems according to the “plug and work” principle. Together with the motor controllers SFC-LACI and CMMP-AS they enable free setting of speed, force and position, and various types of connections, such as an I/O panel or fieldbus node, as well as a measuring system, guide, reference sensor and Festo Configuration Tool (FCT) commissioning software.

DNCE-LAS and DFME-LAS

Maintenance free with a long service life: the electric guided axis DFME-LAS, the guided version of the electric drive DNCE-LAS. (Photo: Festo)

The DNCE-LAS is an electric linear motor drive. It enables positioning operations with short strokes to be carried out in less than 20 milliseconds. The guided version of this is the electric guided axis DFME-LAS. With both variants, the cylinder body houses a guide with an integrated grease reservoir. This means that both cylinders are maintenance-free and have a long service life.

Ready-to-install handling units

DNCE-LAS und DFME-LAS have the same interfaces as their pneumatic equivalents and thus fit seamlessly into the Festo modular mechatronic multi-axis system. This enables hundreds of possible combinations with other electric, pneumatic or servopneumatic drives or components for gripping, joining, turning and positioning, up to and including ready-to-install complete handling systems.

Festo’s system concept even includes a facility for customers to order complete pre-assembled individual handling units with a single part number. These units are pre-tested and supplied with all design data and circuit diagrams, together with a comprehensive functional and fixed-price guarantee, thus shortening the process from concept to machine and reducing the number of interfaces required. This saves time and money.

The flagship among Festo’s linear motor axes: the air bearing ELGL-LAS, which offers highly dynamic positioning, both horizontally and vertically. (Photo: Festo)

Flagship ELGL-LAS

The flagship among the Festo linear motor axes is the air bearing ELGL-LAS. This offers highly dynamic positioning, both horizontally and vertically. The axes can be fitted with several carriages, moving independently of one another.

Air bearings

Complete pre-assembled individual handling units: these shorten the process from concept idea to machine and reduce the number of interfaces required. This saves time and money. (Photo: Festo)

The principle of an air bearing is based on permanent magnets that create a strong attraction between the carriage and the base of the axis. Compressed air is fed between the magnets and the base, thus creating an air cushion as a counterforce to the attraction of the magnets. The carriage lifts and can be moved free of dynamic friction.

The air bearing of the linear motor axis ELGL-LAS with its magnetic bias makes the axis more precise and torsionally rigid and at the same time ensures that it is unaffected by dry dirt particles. The axis is thus resistant to wear and maintenance-free. Once the air bearing is switched off, the magnetic bias acts like a holding brake. It can hold a load mounted on the axis at a standstill. The air bearing does not create any strong external magnetic fields.

Back to the principle of a linear motor drive: the drive of the Transrapid is also a linear motor. This gives a top speed of 501 km/h.

Festo
www.festo.com

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

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