As a worldwide leader in nanopositioning and precision motion control solutions, PI continues to innovate, adding advanced and affordable nanopositioning controllers to the mix of piezo systems on the quick delivery list. These systems are geared toward OEM production automation, metrology systems, scientific research, and lab automation applications. Read the Piezo Motion Tutorial here. The […]
New compact, frictionless piezo-ceramic scanner with high dynamics from PI
Nanometer precision and motion control industry expert, PI (Physik Instrumente) L.P., delivers new solutions for very small position changes, coupled with speed, and high force in its P-630 nanopositioning stages. With design flexibility to meet custom assembly requirements and proven demonstrated reliability of many billions of cycles, PI piezo actuators are being utilized in research […]
A guide to plain bearing materials in linear motion applications
One of the benefits of plain linear bearings is their simplicity. Especially when compared to recirculating bearings, plain bearings are easy to specify, install, maintain, and replace. But don’t let that simplicity fool you. Choosing the wrong bearing, or more specifically, the wrong bearing material, can result in poor performance, degradation of the bearing, or […]
Variable width and length linear axes
Now configure toothed-belt linear axes in customizable sizes To simplify product selection of maintenance-free, self-lubricating linear guides, motion plastics specialist igus has developed a modular construction kit for belt-driven DryLin ZLW linear axes. With the new “ZLW toolkit,” customers can customize their own solutions, including rail widths, system length, etc., even for small installation spaces. […]
Don’t overlook these factors when choosing a linear system
When sizing a linear system, the first application parameters that come to mind are probably travel, load, and speed. In addition, details about the load’s placement, the move profile, and the duty cycle are needed in order to accurately calculate the bearing’s useful travel life, which is the typical standard by which a linear system […]
Servo pneumatics (not an oxymoron) — Comparison to electromechanical options
Updated May 2018 || Pneumatic cylinders and actuators are commonly known as “bang-bang” devices, making quick moves from one end of their stroke to the other, with limited regulation of the force or the move profile. On the other hand, electromechanical actuators with servo controls offer high levels of refinement in positioning, force-torque, and accuracy. Generally speaking, pneumatics are […]
Next-gen electric actuators for high forces
Curtiss-Wright Sensors & Controls Division has announced the release of its next-generation Exlar® brand FTX Series actuators. These high-force electric rod style actuators now offer higher performance and ease of maintenance than previously available. The FTX Series actuators leverage more than a decade of experience successfully replacing hydraulics in high-force, high-duty cycle applications in harsh […]
Limitless product handling in minimal space
As a provider of mechanical hardware solutions, item North America/MB Kit Systems Inc. sees multiple requests for complex material handling solutions. Clearly, Glide-Line always seems to know what customers need, and the new Glide-Line 360 has unlimited solutions for a wide range of applications. -Rick Sabo, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, item North America, MB […]
Voice coil actuator basics
Voice coil actuators are a type of direct drive mechanism that provides extremely precise positioning over small displacements. Like linear motors, they work on the principle of a permanent magnet field and a coil winding. When a current is applied to the coil, a force is generated. This force, known as the Lorentz force, is […]
How to calculate velocity from triangular and trapezoidal move profiles
When designing and sizing a linear motion system, one of the first steps is to determine what type of move profile the application requires, since this determines how to calculate velocity and acceleration, and has a significant effect on their average and maximum values. Velocity and acceleration are two fundamental aspects of any linear motion […]