Necessity is the mother of invention, as the saying goes. And so has been the case since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although much of the focus on product development and innovation since the pandemic began has been centered around treatment and critical care technologies such as ventilators, some of these pandemic-inspired inventions are […]
How to protect ball screws in harsh environments
Harsh environments can wreak havoc on motion system components — especially rolling element systems such as linear guides and ball screws. And while protective devices such as rail covers, wipers, and scrapers are widely available for linear guides, protecting ball screws in harsh environments is a bit more tricky. But despite being more difficult to […]
What is a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT)?
In previous articles, we’ve covered a variety of technologies for measuring linear position: magnetic and optical encoders, magnetostrictive sensors, and even measuring systems integrated into linear guide systems. Another technology for measuring absolute linear position is the linear variable differential transformer (LVDT). A linear variable differential transformer is an induction-based measuring system that consists of […]
What are fixed and floating bearings in the context of linear motion?
There are two instances when the terms “fixed bearing” and “floating bearing” are used in linear motion: to describe the support bearings used on ball and lead screws, and to describe linear guides mounted in parallel. And while the meanings of the terms are the same in both situations, their applications are different in each […]
What are planar motors and where are they used?
Linear motors are often described as rotary motors cut open and rolled out flat, so they produce motion in a straight line along one axis. Their construction is relatively simple, with a primary part (also referred to as a forcer) that contains windings, and a secondary part that contains magnets. The primary part is typically […]
What are boxway slides and where are they used?
Recirculating linear guides get significant media attention, thanks to their versatility and wide range of uses. But linear guides based on sliding contact — namely boxway and dovetail slides — are often the bearings of choice for applications that call for high load capacity, extreme stiffness, and excellent vibration damping characteristics. Boxway slides are a type […]
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 becoming more widely adopted as manufacturers expand their product ranges to fit a broader scope of performance criteria, some applications still necessitate building your own […]
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 synchronous belt drive systems, where proper meshing of the belt teeth with the pulley grooves can affect everything from […]
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 required dispense volumes fall in the single-digit nanoliter or picoliter range, the process often requires a non-contact dispensing method to ensure accuracy and […]
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 handling functions in the medical industry have traditionally been done manually by laboratory personnel. But consistency and accuracy are difficult to ensure with manual methods, since variations between technicians […]
