Linear Motion Tips

Covering Linear Motion Systems, Components and Linear Motion Resources

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Why are cages used in crossed roller guides?

September 27, 2019 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

crossed roller guides

Crossed roller guides are non-recirculating linear bearings whose rollers are oriented in a “crisscross” pattern (each roller is turned 90 degrees relative to the one next to it) and move between two parallel guides with V-shaped grooves. Because the rollers don’t recirculate, these guides provide high load capacity and good stiffness, with smoother motion than […]

Filed Under: Crossed-roller slides, FAQs + basics, Featured

When to use linear bearings and ball nuts with ceramic balls

September 17, 2019 By Danielle Collins 1 Comment

Filed Under: Applications, Ball + lead + roller screws, Ball + roller guides, FAQs + basics, Featured

Ball nut preload: What effect does it have on bearing life?

September 11, 2019 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

Ball nut preload offers several benefits to screw assemblies, but the most common reason for using a preloaded ball nut is to reduce axial play, or backlash, caused by clearance between the screw and nut raceways. Reducing this axial play does two things. It improves the repeatability of the screw assembly — meaning the assembly […]

Filed Under: Applications, Ball + lead + roller screws, FAQs + basics, Featured

What is curvilinear motion and when is it used?

September 6, 2019 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

curvilinear motion

In single-axis motion systems, travel is typically either linear (in a straight line) or rotary (in a partial or complete circle). But some applications call for a system that combines straight sections of motion with curved sections — referred to as curvilinear motion. Curvilinear systems generally take one of two forms: simple, constant-radii sections (such as […]

Filed Under: Applications, Ball + roller guides, Cam + wheel guides, FAQs + basics, Featured, Linear bearings, Plastic + composite guides

Stepper motor performance: Is it possible to get high torque at high speeds?

September 5, 2019 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

The most notable stepper motor performance characteristics are precise positioning, good holding torque, and good low-speed torque characteristics. But in some cases, application parameters necessitate high torque production at high speeds, while design or control constraints dictate the use of a stepper motor. Although stepper motors aren’t notable for their ability to produce high torque […]

Filed Under: Applications, Controls for linear axes, FAQs + basics, Featured

Motion controller basics: What are the differences between PLCs, PACs, and IPCs?

August 30, 2019 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

motion controllers

As the “brain” of a servo system, a motion controller is responsible for ensuring the motor is following the specified motion profile and correcting any errors between the commanded value (in terms of position, speed, or torque) and the motor’s actual value. The motion controller also handles other supervisory and processing tasks, such as ensuring […]

Filed Under: Controls for linear axes, FAQs + basics, Featured

How to calculate maximum encoder speed for linear and rotary designs

August 15, 2019 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

encoder speed

When choosing an encoder for motion applications, a few specifications immediately come to mind. What sensing technology should you use? What accuracy and resolution do you need? Does the application require incremental or absolute position feedback? But one specification that is sometimes overlooked during sizing and selection is the maximum encoder speed. Like any electrical […]

Filed Under: Applications, Encoders + sensors (linear) + I/O, FAQs + basics, Featured

What are Hertz contact stresses and how do they affect linear bearings?

August 5, 2019 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

Linear bearings that use balls or rollers to carry a load are subjected to Hertz contact stresses — a type of material stress that plays a significant role in determining the bearing’s load capacity and fatigue life. When two surfaces of different radii are in contact and a load is applied (even an extremely small load), […]

Filed Under: Applications, Ball + roller guides, Cam + wheel guides, Crossed-roller slides, FAQs + basics, Featured

Bearing damage: What’s the difference between brinelling, spalling, and fretting?

July 26, 2019 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

Bearing damage, and ultimately, failure, can be caused by a variety of conditions, including improper mounting, poor lubrication, and overloading, to name a few. The mode of damage — what actually happened to the bearing as a result of detrimental conditions — is characterized by visible features, such as discoloration, wear marks, or pitting, on […]

Filed Under: Applications, Ball + lead + roller screws, Ball + roller guides, FAQs + basics, Featured

Transport and positioning perfected: Flexible Transport System FTS from Rexroth

July 18, 2019 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

FTS

With its linear motor-driven transfer system, Bosch Rexroth serves a wide variety of work specifications. For the highly dynamic transport and exact positioning of materials and workpieces, linear motor-driven transfer systems are an ideal choice. Bosch Rexroth is enriching this market segment with innovative solutions that can meet the specific requirements of series and special […]

Filed Under: Industry news, Linear motors Tagged With: boschrexroth, rexroth

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