When designing a belt drive system, the first step is to choose the most suitable belt for the application. But the pulleys also play an important role in the performance of the belt — especially in synchronous belt drive systems, where proper … [Read More...]
FROM THE EDITORS
Linear servo brush-type amplifiers for voice-coil actuators
H2W’s new dc linear brush-type servo amplifier, the LCAM 5/15, is suited to drive the company’s line of voice coil linear actuators. Linear amplifiers provide continuous current flow to the motor … [Read More...]
Three important design considerations for Cartesian robots
If your application calls for a Cartesian robot, you have a wide variety of options, depending on the level of integration you want to undertake. And although pre-engineered Cartesian robots are … [Read More...]
Magnetically preloaded single-axis linear stepper motors from H2W
H2W Technologies’ single axis linear stepper motors are suitable for high-speed open-loop positioning applications. They can perform at speeds of up to 80 in./sec [2 m/sec] and strokes of up to 68 in. … [Read More...]
igus develops new online shop for energy chains
igus has developed a new online shop for energy chains where designers can filter products by category, application, and specifications. The new shop also includes pricing, and allows designers, … [Read More...]
How to specify pulleys for synchronous belt drives
When designing a belt drive system, the first step is to choose the most suitable belt for the application. But the pulleys also play an important role in the performance of the belt — especially in … [Read More...]
Linear motion in medical applications: Piezo actuators for non-contact dispensing
In a recent article, we looked at how piezo motors are used in liquid handling robots for contact-based dispensing (also referred to as pipetting) of microliter and nanoliter volumes. But when the … [Read More...]
New simulation software from PI aids hexapod selection
Powerful new simulation software from PI (Physik Instrumente) determines if a hexapod is suitable for a specific positioning task, in terms of workspace, load, center of mass, and operating … [Read More...]
Linear motion in medical applications: Piezo motors for liquid handling robots
Piezo motors and actuators are used in a variety of medical applications, including liquid handling robots for laboratory testing and diagnostics, drug discovery, and biotechnology. Liquid … [Read More...]
New 20-mm linear stepper motors from Nippon Pulse
Nippon Pulse has introduced its smallest linear stepper motor yet, the PFL20 Linearstep. The PFL20 is a highly efficient, high thrust tin-can linear actuator with a 20-mm diameter and a bipolar … [Read More...]
Linear guides with more rollers feature high load capacities
NB Corporation's EXRAIL linear guide has more rollers in less space than other linear bearings, which increases load capacity and disperses the load more evenly. It has longer rollers for greater … [Read More...]
Things to do this summer: Become a citizen scientist
As cities, states, and countries begin to reopen in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us will still face restrictions for some time regarding what businesses and facilities we can access and … [Read More...]
Motion basics: How to define roll, pitch, and yaw for linear systems
Linear guides and systems — including Cartesian robots, gantry systems, and XY tables — are typically subjected to both linear forces due to downward, upward, and side loads and rotational forces due … [Read More...]
Industry first: XY stage with 800 x 800 mm open center
Intellidrives now offers open-center XY stages with travel of 600 x 600 mm and open center dimensions of 800 x 800 mm. The demand for a high accuracy, robust, open-frame stages is met with … [Read More...]
Industrial Ethernet basics for mechanical engineers
Ethernet networks are ubiquitous in our daily lives — allowing computers in office, school, and commercial environments to connect to the internet, share files, and access printers and other hardware … [Read More...]
How to account for shock and vibration loads in ball screw drives
Calculations of ball screw service life and permissible static load take into account loads and forces that are predictable and quantifiable — thrust loads due to acceleration, process forces, and … [Read More...]
