ABB has introduced the IRBT 2005, a flexible, compact and modular medium track motion platform for both robots and transfer applications. It is designed to accommodate rapid product changes in applications that require an extended working range and high degrees of speed and accuracy, including arc welding, material handling, machine tending, and sealing and dispensing. […]
Seven Interchange Tools for Linear Guides and Bearings
In linear motion, there are few types of components that are truly interchangeable—that is, where a product from one manufacturer is a dimensional and technical replacement with a product from another manufacturer. In fact, only linear ball bearings (bushings) and shafts are commonly interchangeable between manufacturers, with very few dimensional and technical differences. Not only […]
Servo motor basics
Technically, the term “servo” refers to a function rather than a specific type of device. A servo system is one in which the system’s error (in positioning, speed, or torque) is corrected through feedback that compares the system’s actual performance with its commanded performance. A servo motor, then, is one that incorporates a feedback device […]
What do delta robots have in common with spiders?
Discussions of industrial robots typically focus on three types: Cartesian, SCARA, and 6-axis. But there’s another robot design that is gaining prominence, especially in packaging and electronic assembly applications—the delta robot. Parallel vs serial robots Delta robots are a type of parallel robot, meaning that their motors and legs are connected mechanically in parallel, with […]
Stepper Motor Basics
A large percentage of electromechanical linear motion applications—including ball and lead screw drives, rack and pinion drives, and linear actuators—use one of two motor technologies: servo or stepper. A servo motor is a closed-loop device, meaning it incorporates an encoder that monitors the actual motor position and feeds this information back to the drive, which […]
The top 10 Linear Motion Tips articles of 2015
With the range of technologies, designs, and options available for linear motion components, ploughing through the alternatives and making the best decision takes more time and resources than many designers and engineers are able to expend on any individual component. Looking back at the top 10 most-read Linear Motion Tips articles of 2015 confirms this situation. From primers on […]
What are piezo actuators?
Piezo materials are a special type of ceramic that expands or contracts when an electrical charge is applied, generating motion and force. (Conversely, piezo materials will also generate energy when a mechanical stress is applied.) Piezo actuators harness this motion to provide very short strokes with high frequency and fast response times. They also generate high […]
Tips for selecting pre-engineered Cartesian robots
Cartesian robots operate in two or three axes along the Cartesian coordinate system of X, Y, and Z. While SCARA and 6-axis robots are more widely recognized, Cartesian systems can be found in nearly every industrial application imaginable, from semiconductor manufacturing to woodworking equipment. And it’s no surprise that Cartesians are so widely deployed. They’re […]
How does temperature affect ball screw assemblies?
As an integral part of industrial machines and processes, ball screw assemblies often operate in environments with elevated temperatures. Heat can be generated by other mechanical and electrical components in the machine, and in some cases, is a byproduct of the process itself. And, like other motion products with sliding or rolling friction, ball screws generate heat of […]
New shaft protected position sensors
Novotechnik, U.S. introduces the LWX-003/004 Series of position sensors designed for extremely harsh environments. The all-metal sensor shaft features a pressure equalization valve and the LWX-004 version also provides rod protection over its range of motion with an SS304 alloy, 0.9 mm thick stainless steel shield. The LWX Series’ differential pressure compensation system compensates for […]