Thomson WhisperTrak™ Linear Actuators

Thomson Industries, Inc. introduces the new line of Thomson WhisperTrak™ Electric Linear Actuators.  Through quiet (<45 dBa), maintenance-free operation in a compact one-piece housing, the Thomson WhisperTrak linear actuator maximizes design flexibility and improves performance and user comfort in personal mobility, rehabilitation, and medical equipment applications where reliability, small size and low noise are primary design considerations.  These attributes also make the Thomson WhisperTrak actuator an ideal solution in office and domestic-use equipment.  Thomson WhisperTrak actuators comply with all relevant certificates and are built in accordance with ISO 9000.

A completely sealed, IP67 enclosure enables the WhisperTrak electric linear actuator to provide true maintenance-free operation throughout the entire life of the actuator, even with regular exposure to washdown, rain, dust or other particulates.  Even in these conditions, the WhisperTrak actuator is rated to provide a minimum of 10,000 cycles, defined as one full stroke back and forth, at maximum load.  Reducing the stroke and/or the load will naturally increase operating life.

Thomson WhisperTrak electric linear actuators are available off-the-shelf with optional electronic limit switches (ELS) and anti-rotation options.  These options do not increase the housing size, but fit within the compact envelope of the standard WhisperTrak model.

Thomson WhisperTrak actuators operate at 12 or 24 VDC, and are rated to handle static and dynamic loads up to 2000 N (450 lbs.) at speeds up to 5.8 mm/s (0.23 in/s).  They are available with standard stroke lengths of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 cm; custom stroke lengths are available.

Thomson
www.thomsonlinear.com

 

Thomson Introduces EngineersCALC App

Thomson introduces EngineersCALC – a powerful and simple-to-use engineering calculator for mobile devices that provides ready access to four of the most common engineering utilities used by motion and machine design professionals. With EngineersCALC, iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android and Blackberry users can now convert a number from one set of units to another, calculate the inertia of a common shape, determine the density of a material in a particular unit, or look up a common trigonometric or calculus function. They can also quickly and easily save and share the calculations with built-in email and texting features.

EngineersCALC is available as a free desktop computer application known as Engineer’s Toolbar, which is compatible with Windows 2000, XP, Vista and 7.0 operating systems. Thomson also has available a number of additional free machine design resources, including web-based application sizing and selection tools, attribute-based product selectors, and configurable 2D and 3D interactive models that are downloadable in all major CAD formats.

Thomson
www.thomsonlinear.com

 

Thomson introduces 400 Series Profile Rail Linear Guides

Thomson introduces 400 Series Profile Rail Linear Guides.  The 400 Series is available in 4 meter lengths, in sizes from 15 – 45 mm in 5 mm increments, for extended joint-free rail transfer, even in smaller-sized applications. Double-faced ball track bearing arrangements allow for compliance to simplify installation, and enable equal load carrying capacity in all directions. The 400 Series is available with standard or ball cage carriages that use the same rail design.

400 Series Profile Rail Linear Guides are rated to handle loads ranging from 9800 N up to 129,500 N. They feature a polymer ball-return tube that reduces noise while retaining lubrication. The ball cage option includes individual ball lubricant reservoirs to increase running smoothness and operating life, while reducing noise by up to 30% when compared with standard carriages, even at high speeds.

400 Series Profile Rail Linear Guides are an ideal linear motion solution for uncomplicated factory and laboratory automation, packaging, food and beverage, life science and certain medical applications. With an industry standard envelope and hole patterns, they are completely interchangeable with other profile rail systems and are well-suited as a drop-in replacement. And for higher precision mounting and more compliant system requirements in machine tool, forming, and many other applications with demanding linear motion requirements, the company’s time-tested and field-proven 500 Series Profile Rail Linear Guides are an ideal solution.

Thomson
www.thomsonlinear.com

Thomson introduces Ultra Light Aluminum LinearRace® Shafting

Thomson introduces Ultra Light Aluminum LinearRace® Shafting. 65% lighter than typical linear shafting, Ultra Light LinearRace Shafting delivers smoother and easier linear motion positioning, making it an attractive and cost effective shafting option in any number of plain bearing applications. This shafting is constructed of 6061-T6 aluminum with an HRC 70 hard anodized finish, and is available in Inch sizes ranging from 0.25 in. to 1.0 in. and in lengths up to 120 in. Metric sizes are available upon request, as are special machining options to satisfy unique application needs.

Thomson Ultra Light Aluminum LinearRace Shafting can be combined with self-lubricating Thomson FluoroNyliner® Bushing bearings to deliver high performance linear motion in applications with heavy loads, high contamination and corrosive environments. It can also be paired with new FDA and USDA-compliant Thomson Food Grade FluoroNyliner Bushing bearings for use in food processing, pharmaceutical and medical applications.

For more robust application requirements, Thomson also has available stainless or carbon steel 60 Case® Shafting. Genuine Thomson 60 Case Shafting is available in diameters up to 2 in. in full random lengths, or can be cut to specification with no extra cut charges. A complete range of special machining is available to satisfy specific application needs, with no setup fees. Genuine Thomson Ball Bushing® Bearings, in combination with 60 Case Shafting, last up to 50% longer than imitation bearings and shafting.

Thomson
www.thomsonlinear.com

New Industrial Linear Actuator Catalog from Thomson

WOOD DALE, IL –Thomson has available a new Guide to Industrial Linear Actuators. The guide provides an overview on the types of applications that can most significantly benefit from electric actuation, as well as non-commercial information on the benefits of converting manual, hydraulic or pneumatic applications to electromechanical motion.

The guide also details the company’s complete family of Electrak® AC and DC Electric Linear Actuators, Electrak Non-Driven Actuators, rotary actuators, actuator controls, and accessories and parts. Users will also find a helpful glossary of terms, and a simple five-step selection procedure to determine the optimum electric linear actuator for a given application.

Thomson
www.thomsonlinear.com

Motion System Drives Realistic Racing Experience

by Leslie Langnau, Managing Editor

After many years of evaluating and working with motion systems for various clients, UK-based Ball Racing Developments Ltd (BRD) concluded that nothing on the market could accurately simulate a racing car’s motion. So, the management and the engineers developed a new type of system dedicated to the motions experienced in a racing car, particularly the high velocity forces of a Formula One car for use in racing driver training, entertainment, and private owners with a keen interest in motorsport.

The first of this new generation of dedicated driving motion systems was released in November 2007 and sent to a theme park in Macau that wanted accurate motorsport simulators. However, BRD was unhappy with the performance of the equipment offered by its existing supplier of motion control products. The simulation technology specialist wanted a more compact and higher performing motor system, a specification that was ultimately fulfilled by Wood Dale, Ill. based Kollmorgen AKM-7 and AKM-6 brushless AC servomotors and Thomson linear systems.

The motors offer 0.16 to 53 Nm torque and speeds up to 8,000 rpm in a compact frame-size. This is an important factor to BRD, where any weight savings can benefit system performance and reaction times. The AKM motors were about half the size of the conventional servomotors they replaced.

One motor is required for each degree of freedom on the V1-500 motion platform. One AKM-7 motor handles movement in the surge direction (forward and backward acceleration and deceleration). AKM-6 variants handle motion in the side slip (side-to-side lateral thrust) and yaw (angular motion in the horizontal plane) directions. Yaw is achieved by changing the centre of rotation between the front and rear wheel positions. Each motor is powered by a Kollmorgen S600 AC servo drive, a digital servo amplifier.

For two motion platforms bound for Singapore, the engineers decided to include Thomson ball screw and linear guide systems in the same package in order to reduce lead-time and simplify the build process. These platforms were completed in just 10 weeks from signing the order, including design, build, and installation.

Three 40 mm x 40 mm ball screw assemblies move the Formula One car mounted on the motion platform. All are the same length for commonality purposes and each offers 1.2 m of travel. These assemblies consist of a precision rolled screw shaft and a nut (the outer race) with an internal groove and circuits of precision steel balls that re-circulate in the grooves between the screw and nut. This backlash-free anti-friction design converts torque to thrust as either the screw or nut turns and the other component moves in a linear direction. These ball screws have a high lead, which is necessary to generate the required 1 m/sec acceleration.

Alongside the ball screws and supporting the loads and high acceleration forces is a pair of 500 Series Profile Rail linear guide systems. These configurable linear guides meet DIN standard 645-1 requirements. Their rigidity and load capacity withstands the acceleration forces experienced in this realistic F-1 simulation. BRD had the option to plate linear guide bearing systems with thin-dense chrome (TDC) to withstand the exceptionally humid atmosphere in Singapore.

When mechanically complete, the two motion control platforms were linked with visual and sound technology created by BRD by mapping and modeling the Singapore street circuit. Based on BRD’s netKar Pro software platform, anyone can download a free copy of the Singapore night race circuit from www.singtelrace.com and practice driving the difficult track that twists and turns it way around many of Singapore’s famous landmarks. Users can even post lap times to the on-line leader board to see how they compare with others.

The two racing simulators deliver a realistic racing experience, short of being in an actual race car. At one point, crashing into the barriers produced such a sudden jolt that the effect had to be softened by BRD in the interests of health and safety. Approximately 1.0 to 1.5 G force can be generated in each axis of motion by the platform. As an added safety measure all drivers have to wear a four-point racing harness.

There has been plenty of interest from racing teams; a leading Formula One driver tested the V1-500 and managed to reduce his lap time by 0.7 sec. He noted that the system provided him with a greater ‘feel’ for effects present in a real racing environment such as under-steer, over-steer, weight transfer braking and wheel-spin, and helped improve his reactions.

Thomson
www.thomsonlinear.com

Kollmorgen, a Danaher Motion Co.
www.danahermotion.com/kollmorgen

Thomson 500 Series Profile Rails

WOOD DALE, IL – Thomson announces that high performance Thomson 500 Series Profile Rails now come standard with an enhanced carriage design that delivers 66% smoother operation with up to 50% lower drag force than previous models. Additionally, a ball spacer carriage option is available to reduce carriage running noise by up to 6 dB. Enhanced design models are 100% interchangeable with previous Thomson 500 Series carriages and rails.

The new design optimizes the surface interfaces between steel and plastic transition areas along the ball bearing circulation path for more precise operation. New standard end seals provide twice the contaminant protection compared to competitive products, with optional low drag end seals idea for low push-force requirements. Additionally, new optional 440B stainless carriages and rails deliver corrosion resistant operation ideal for applications such as medical, electronic assembly, semiconductor, and food and beverage applications.

“Thomson 500 Series Profile Rails have four longitudinal seals per carriage to provide much better contaminant protection than competitive designs that typically have just two longitudinal seals,” says Tom Dwyer, Business Unit Manager, Thomson Profile Rail Bearings. “An additional lubrication reservoir enables longer running time between servicing, while easy-change end caps and seals can be replaced in seconds to help maximize machine uptime.”

The optional noise-reducing ball spacer carriage is available for size 20, 25, 30, 35 and 45 500 Series Profile Rails. The significant noise reduction is achieved by inserting plastic discs between each ball bearing, preventing the balls from contacting each other or bumping into the ball track. All external carriage dimensions are exactly the same, making it a simple drop-in replacement for current ball carriages.

Thomson
www.thomsonlinear.com

Significant Lead Time Reduction for Selected Thomson Linear Slides

WOOD DALE, IL – Thomson has significantly reduced lead times for some of its most popular Thomson slides. Lead times for Thomson 2DA, 2CA, 2BA, IB Series, IC Series, ID Series and IV Series linear guides have been reduced to just 2 days. 

Lead times for Thomson 2DB, 2EB, MS, 2HB, 2HE, 2RB AND 2RE driven systems have been reduced to just 4 days. The new lead times are effective for orders of 5 pieces or fewer. Lead times for higher quantities will remain 10-20 days, depending on the particular series of Thomson slide ordered.

www.thomsonlinear.com

Guide to Thomson Clean Energy Design Alternatives

WOOD DALE, IL – Thomson, A Danaher Motion Company, has available a new Guide to Thomson Clean Energy Alternatives for solar and wind energy applications. The guide reviews some of the most significant considerations that design engineers should take into account to maximize the reliability, accuracy and efficiency of their clean energy machines, with specific information on the benefits that linear actuators and screw jacks can bring to these applications. The guide also highlights the Thomson family of linear actuators, precision linear actuators and screw jacks, with helpful information on the benefits of each product, as well as primary product specifications.
Thomson’s robust linear actuators are an easy-to-apply “green” alternative to hydraulic or manual actuation. Their proven track record of providing robust linear actuators for tough outdoor applications fills a real need in the emerging clean energy market place. Designers will benefit from a wide range of platforms and flexible design and envelope possibilities to meet the diverse requirements for solar tracking systems, and the key operating components of wind power.
Thomson industrial linear actuators are engineered to deliver robust, reliable operation in the varied outdoor conditions a clean energy facility may experience. Their industrial linear actuator products feature proven weather protection (ranging from IP56-67) to provide maintenance free , 20-year life based on one complete cycle per day. Thomson’s proven power drive units can hold static loads of up to 4000lbs and provide superior resistance to back driving in high wind conditions. Temperature ratings cover significantly varied conditions, ranging from -40F to +185 F.
www.DanaherMotion.com