Miniature Linear Vibration Actuator from Nidec Copal

Torrance, Cal. - Nidec Copal’s new LD14 miniature linear vibration actuator uses a new voice coil technology to develop an acceleration output of 1G at 150Hz operated by square wave output. The actuator is a compact 0.552” (14mm) long by 0.433” (11mm) wide by 0.10” (2.5mm) high, with only 2V and 77mA needed to excite the LD14 actuator. 

The miniature brushless actuator is able to adjust its vibrating force without changing the vibration frequency. This surface mount device (SMD) provides high acceleration, superior reliability, and quick signal response for a wide range of mobile communication and safety devices. New applications involve devices and machines that use touch or tactile (haptic) motion and are used in video game and computer controllers, touch pads, robots and medical instruments.

For more information, visit www.nidec-copal-usa.com or emailinfo@nidec-copal-usa.com.

 

Linear Motion Technology Selection Guide from Rexroth

Hoffman Estates, Ill. – Bosch Rexroth’s new Linear Motion Technology selection guide offers a comprehensive overview of the benefits and applications of Rexroth’s linear motion products for machine designers. The guide is also a resource to help engineers determine which linear motion products meet their application requirements, as well as technical insights into issues like cost savings through standardization and energy efficiency. 

The guide is available as a free download at www.boschrexroth-us.com/linearmotion. The 88-page guide provides information about the applications, performance capabilities and energy efficiency of linear motion technology.

It also contains an overview of the structural design, operating principles and characteristics of Bosch Rexroth’s linear motion products, including precision modules, profiled rail, ball screw drives, miniature components, electromechanical actuators and completely preconfigured linear motion systems with matching motors and controls.

The selection guide also offers engineers example applications and technical drawings to illustrate, for instance, how reducing friction can dramatically lower energy consumption without sacrificing machine performance or capacity.  Other examples illustrate how precision-engineering and manufacturing of profiled rail systems can minimize downtime during changeovers, provide cost–efficiency in logistics and installation, and lower the overall cost of ownership.

The new guide is part of the recently created Bosch Rexroth Linear Motion Resource Center online, which offers easy access to Rexroth’s most popular linear motion resources, including interactive tools for system design, product configuration tools, technical documents, product updates, and other useful information.

www.boschrexroth-us.com

 

 

35mm Linear Stepper Motor from Nippon Pulse

Radford, Va. - Nippon Pulse’s PFL35T LINEARSTEP® tin-can type linear actuator gives engineers the ability to design a linear motion system simply and at a low cost. Nippon Pulse’s LINEARSTEP series offers direct linear motion without the need for any mechanical transformers, allowing users the ability to design a simple system at a low cost. 

The PFL35T features an outer diameter of 35mm and features neodymium magnets, which allow for a high driving force. Its sturdy design and construction and its ball bearing support makes the PFL35T durable and gives it a long life cycle.

The PFL35T is available with three lead screw pitches (0.48mm, 0.96mm, and 1.2mm), both bipolar and unipolar windings, a force rating up to 39.5N (at 200pps), rated voltages of 5V and 12V, and 48 steps per revolution.

Applications for the PFL35T include XY stages, liquid dispensing devices, medical pumps, semiconductor wafer handling machines, and data storage recorders.

For more information, visit www.nipponpulse.com.

 

Macron Dynamics Asks, “Would You Like a Frame with that Actuator?”

Macron Dynamics Inc. offers a full line of customizable, aluminum machine frames for safety guarding and automation applications.

“Actuator and multi-axis gantry system applications usually require some sort of structural support in the form of a base frame, enclosure, connection member, or product handling feature. MacFRAME elements provide this solution and customers can find a one-stop shopping experience when buying from Macron,” says Steve Evers, director of business development.

Macron’s MacFRAME line of aluminum extrusions and hardware allows for customized, configurable framing architecture to support any of Macron’s linear actuators and belt drives. “Machining frames, our MacFRAME line, isn’t what people think of when they hear Macron – but it’s the backbone of all of our gantries and automated machines,” says Evers. MacFRAME aluminum extrusions are designed for easy assembly and offer the flexibility needed to accommodate both simple and complex automated machine design.

“Essentially, our MacFRAME line is comprised of modular components that can be combined to create any size or length structure,” says Evers. “Our MacFRAME extrusions are the foundation to any automation system. They have provided the framing for some of our largest, highest speed gantry systems, as well as our longest, accurate, and precise belt drives.”

MacFRAME extrusions are extremely durable and made from anodized aluminum, which is extremely resistant to corrosion. This means they are commonly used in applications such as pick and place automation systems in the clothing manufacturing and food processing industry, and in stacked gantry systems used in the military and for laboratory research. Macron has even customized the color of the aluminum in the past, rendering it flat black to eliminate reflection in a laser tracking application.

“Our MacFRAME extrusions are produced on our own tooling and therefore match perfectly with our belt and screw driven actuators,” says Evers. “MacFRAME connection components are flexible and can be used in many imaginative ways to solve most any construction problem.”

Additionally, MacFRAME hardware is economical, and Macron stocks a wide array of sizes and options including aluminum extrusions available in both standard and heavy gauge in most any length, multiple types of fastening brackets, plates, and connectors, and assembly tools. As always, Macron’s MacFRAME products are backed by Macron’s Lifetime Warranty.

Macron Dynamics, Inc.
www.macrondynamics.com

New RP+ Linear System from WITTENSTEIN

Bartlett, Ill – The new RP+ Linear System from WITTENSTEIN meets the demand for a modular, standardized rack and pinion system capable of transferring higher maximum feeding forces.

The combination of gearbox, pinion and rack represents intelligent integration of specifically developed drive components. The rack assembly of the RP+ is the alpha high performance rack which is characterized by high precision and optimal power transmission. Using this rack results in a quiet-running solution which is weight- and noise-optimized. The gearbox and pinion components of the RP+ system are unique to the design, significantly increasing allowable torques. The high forces produced by the meshing of rack and pinion teeth are controlled more effectively, improving system rigidity and positioning accuracy.

To learn more about the new RP+ system, email info@wittenstein-us.com or visit www.wittenstein-us.com.

Enhanced Harmonic Linear Belt Drive Actuators from OEMDynamics

Santa Clara, Cal. – OEMDynamics, a division of Animatics Corporation, announces enhanced features on the HLD60-H3 actuator. Enhanced features include no gearheads required, which saves money and reduces maintenance, and no brake required in many vertical applications.

Due to its unique harmonic principle, the H3 belt achieves a gear reduction equivalent of up to 40:1 without the need for a gearhead, which means cost savings as well as decreases in space and weight requirements.

The HLD60-H3 can achieve lengths greater than 3m without attributable losses in performance and can be used in a wide range of applications. It also has a sturdy and seamless magnetically retained seal strip and meets European Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC.

www.oemdynamics.com

Linear actuator for automation applications

PILine ultrasonic piezo drives offer an affordable alternative to electromagnetic linear motors and motor-leadscrew combinations when small dimensions and/or high speed are important.

With velocities of up to 200mm/s, these drives are fast, compact and readily integrated.
In addition, PIline motors are self-locking at rest with zero heat generation, eliminating the need for an additional motor brake.
PI’s M-272 is a linear actuator designed for automation applications based on a maintenance-free PILine ultrasonic ceramic motor.
The M-272 closed-loop linear drive combines motor, actuator, linear encoder, guiding system and brake functionality in a very compact package.

Due to the integrated guiding system, a payload can be easily attached to the drive rod of the M-272 drive and positioned precisely.
The M-272 features a maintenance-free ceramic linear motor, has travel range of 50mm and 5um resolution with integrated linear encoder.
It is self-locking at rest, with no need for external brakes and no energy consumption.

PILine piezo motors are based on a new, patented, ultrasonic drive principle developed by PI.

Through its contact with the ceramic friction bar (runner), the moving part of the mechanical system is pushed along.

With each oscillatory cycle, the mechanical system executes a minute step of only a few nanometers and the macroscopic result is smooth motion with a virtually unlimited travel range.

The piezo ceramic plate is preloaded against the runner and thus generates the holding force when the drive is at rest.

Its highly specialized DSP handles all of the motion properties typical for ultrasonic piezomotors, such as dynamic control parameter adaption.
Optimized settling behavior of the mechanics within 10s of milliseconds is achieved by automatically switching between gain-sets for dynamic and static operation.

Physik Instrumente
www.physikinstrumente.com

Exlar 2011 Catalog Features Versatile Motion Control Solutions

Exlar announces its 2011 Product Catalog and Engineering Guide is now available by download or in print by request. The catalog details Exlar’s broad selection of linear and motion control products, including linear actuators, rotary motors and gearmotors, as well as new and updated products now rated for use in hazardous locations. Sections include series overviews, specifications, performance curves, drawings, system configurations, additional options and ordering information.

A section on roller screw technology explains how this mechanism for converting rotary torque into linear motion functions. This section details the advantages of roller screw technology over alternative linear motion technologies such as ball screws or hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders.

New this year, the hazardous products section includes information on the EL Series Explosion Proof Linear Actuators with new ATEX certification and ER Series Explosion Proof Rotary Motor and Gearmotor Actuators—both specifically designed for reliable performance even in demanding conditions. Additionally, the standard GSX/GSM and SLM/SLG linear actuators are now available with a Class I Division 2 Option for hazardous locations.

An easy-to-reference engineering section includes definitions and equations for determining move-profile, velocity and acceleration, force, thrust, motor velocity and torque. A table of factors for converting units of rotary inertia, torque and material densities between English and metric units is also included, as well as a notes section.

Exlar Corporation
www.exlar.com

NIA linear actuators from Nook Industries

Nook Industries (www.nookindustries.com) is proud to introduce the new NIA ACME and Ball Screw Series Linear Actuators that provide compact size configuration and improved IP65 protection options against solid (airborne, dust particles, etc.) and liquid (water spray, rain, etc.) elements. The product is a cost-efficient series designed for light-duty outdoor/indoor applications, including aggregate/agriculture (packaging, dampers in rock quarries, etc.), amongst others.

All of the series are designed to deliver International Protection (IP) rating against levels of water/dust intrusion as an optional enhanced IP65 and standard IP54 protection class. The high-IP ratings were achieved through the use of several design elements, which include powder metallurgy gears, steel extension tube and aluminum alloy housing.

The new series features a standard 110/115/230 VAC single-phase split capacitive motor, delivering a 25-percent duty cycle, as well as an external capacitor. Other standard performance characteristics for ACME and Ball Screw versions include stroke lengths from 4in to 24in, working temperature of -26°C to +65°C, dynamic load capacity of 1,500lbs and less, overload protection by clutch, and self-locking. Adjustable limit switches and optional potentiometer feedback are also available to extend the added-value for unique applications on the two versions.

Nook Industries also offers its ND8 Ball Screw Series as a 12/24V DC Motor option that can deliver similar key design variables with the addition of stroke length of 100mm to 600mm and 65mm/sec maximum speed, with no back driving.

Renishaw Helps Achieve High Accuracy Grinding for Giant Wind Turbine Bearings

KMT Lidköping (www.kmtgroup.com/lidkoping/) has unveiled its new hard-turning VTG4000 (Vertical Turning Grinding) machine that uses a combination of Renishaw SiGNUM optical angle and linear encoders to achieve the required accuracy, and Renishaw magnetic encoders placed on the exposed axes of the cutting heads.

“Our largest machine used to accommodate parts up to 600 mm diameter, but the VTG4000 can handle diameters in excess of 4000 mm, the size of the largest wind turbine bearings. This is hard turning and grinding which can be very demanding, and the positioning accuracy is very important, with a direct effect on the quality of the finished bearings. A standard size machine, using ballscrews on the axes, will manage to maintain a 3 µm form deviation, yet despite the considerable difference in relative size, the VTG4000 has been proven to achieve an exceptional form deviation of less than 1 µm, with feed resolution in 0.1 µm steps,” said Eive Johansson, Lidköping’s VTG Chief Designer.

“At the heart of a Lidköping machine are the linear slides. The combination of hydrostatic guideways, air seals and linear motors create a stiff, accurate and maintenance-free system. To achieve dynamic stiffness we need high gain and the gain is linked to the quality of the encoder scales. It also makes a big difference that the angle encoders have the scale integrated directly onto the ring,” he added.

Mr. Johansson first saw the Renishaw SiGNUM encoders during the EMO 2007 exhibition in Hannover, and then followed a period of rigorous testing by the company. As he explained: “The choice of Renishaw was easy; we compared different scales assembled on our reference slide and bought the one with the best performance. It was important that the linear encoders could be supplied in a continuous length of at least 4.5 m and SiGNUM is the easiest way to achieve this. The Renishaw encoders also give more resistance to dirt. We have now fitted Renishaw encoders to all four linear slides and as expected, we have had no problems!”

“The rotary table has the same design principle, with hydrostatic radial and axial bearings, air seals and torque motors for the drive. The same analysis was done, and the Renishaw SiGNUM angle encoders were chosen,” he added.

The Renishaw encoders have an integral patented set-up LED that speeds installation and eliminates the need for separate set-up equipment/complex external, or oscilloscopes.

“One of the best features of the Renishaw encoders is how easy they are to set-up,” Mr. Johansson said. “With the scale attached and the readhead approximately located the indicator lights make it very easy to see how well the two elements are aligned and then make the final adjustments.”

Next Page »