A World Record for a Linear Actuator

With a tandem linear actuator 8.110 mm in length, the INA Linear Technology Division of Schaeffler Group Industrial has set an absolute world record. The enormous tandem linear actuator, developed and built for a French manufacturer of automation systems, is of exceptional dimensions even for the leader in the linear motion market. The linear actuator is based on the proven linear actuator concept MDKUSE35-3ZR, comprising an inherently rigid aluminium support rail with two six-row linear recirculating ball bearing and guideway assemblies of type KUSE35 arranged in parallel. The actuator is driven by a linear motor from INA Drives & Mechatronics GmbH & Co. oHG (IDAM). The direct drive is equipped with two slotted synchronous linear motors of the standard design L1C and generates a peak force of 3.934N.

The actuator has a total stroke of 7.000 mm, a length of 8.110 mm and a height of 200 mm. The driven carriage is 500 mm wide and 700 mm long. The mass of the comparatively compact tandem linear actuator is only 800 kg. Despite its size, the carriage can be positioned at a travel speed of up to 2m/s and an acceleration of up to 5m/s² with a reproducible accuracy of +/- 0,01 mm.

Schaeffler
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Schaeffler Plant Produces One-millionth Ball Screw Drive

A ceremony took place recently to celebrate the one-millionth ball screw drive to leave Schaeffler’s fully automated production plant in Herzogenaurach, Germany. Attending the ceremony were Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler (Owner), Dr. Peter Pleus (President Schaeffler Group Automotive), Dr. Christoph LÖffel (Head of the Ball Screw Drive Product Line) and Peter Wirkner, Plant Manager at Herzogenaurach.

Manufactured at the Herzogenaurach plant since 2007, Schaeffler’s energy efficient ball screw drive is being utilised on the electromechanical steering system for the Volkswagen Tiguan. Schaeffler supplies the ball screw drive to Volkswagen, as well as a toothed rack, which is partly designed as a spindle on which the drive is located. Ball screw drives are used to transform rotary motion into linear motion through a direct coupling between the drive element and the output element. In the Tiguan, the ball nut is driven by a servomotor, which is linked to the ball screw drive via a belt.
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