Linear motion publications are typically dominated by topics related to linear guides, ball screws, and lead screws. But looking back at this site’s most-viewed articles in 2019, it’s obvious that while these are important technologies in the world of linear motion, they’re not the only things our readers are interested in. Case in point: In […]
Stepper motor torque and speed characteristics explained
Stepper motors have different torque-speed characteristics depending on whether the motor is starting/stopping or already running. These characteristics are depicted in two curves on the motor’s torque-speed chart, and it’s important to understand the differences between these curves and what each one means for the motor’s operation. But a stepper motor can also produce torque […]
Part 2 – What is racking in gantry systems, and how can it be avoided?
In Part 1 of this post, we looked at various methods of driving the X axes in gantry systems and how the drive method can influence the gantry’s tendency to experience racking. Another factor that can cause racking in gantry systems is lack of mounting accuracy and parallelism between the two X axes. Racking is the common name […]
What is racking in gantry systems, and how can it be avoided? (Part 1)
Gantries differ from other types of multi-axis systems (such as Cartesian robots and XY tables) by using two base (X) axes in parallel, with a perpendicular (Y) axis connecting them. While this dual X-axis arrangement provides a wide, stable footprint and allows gantry systems to deliver high load capacity, long travel lengths, and good rigidity, […]
Thomson introduces online quote tool for customized 60 Case shafting and hardened pins
Thomson Industries, Inc., a leading manufacturer of linear motion control solutions, has introduced an online instant quote tool that helps design engineers save time during the selection and purchase process of its customized 60 Case shafting. By providing real-time pricing and instant access to lead times for chosen products, Thomson’s intuitive, self-service tool allows designers […]
Mechanical properties of materials: stiffness and deflection
In a previous post, we looked at the stress-strain curve and its relationship to various aspects of material strength — tensile strength, yield strength, and fracture strength, for example. And while we often think of materials and structures in terms of strength, technically, “strength” is a measure of how much force a material can withstand […]
What causes synchronous belt noise and how can it be reduced?
Synchronous belts are common in motion systems, providing smoother operation and better high-speed performance than chains and lacking the problems of slipping and stretching that can plague V-belts in precision applications. But one downfall of synchronous, or toothed, belts is the noise they produce. Although quieter than a chain drive, a synchronous belt can still generate noise […]
How can lead screw backlash be reduced?
Backlash is an inherent property of lead screw assemblies due to the sliding motion between the screw and the nut. For some applications, a certain amount of backlash, or “play,” can be tolerated, but applications such as positioning, dispensing, or assembly often require a level of precision and repeatability that can’t be achieved if backlash […]
What’s the difference between ball screw critical speed and characteristic speed?
Ball screw drives incorporate two primary moving components: the rotating screw shaft and the nut that traverses the screw. (The radial bearings that support the screw shaft play a minor role for the purposes of this discussion.) This means that to accurately determine the maximum allowable speed of a ball screw assembly, there are two […]
Motion basics: Difference between Cartesian and polar coordinate systems
Coordinate systems provide a way to define a point in space in either one, two, or three dimensions. The most prevalent coordinate system used in linear motion applications is the Cartesian system. Cartesian coordinates define a position as the linear distance from the origin in two or three mutually perpendicular axes. The origin is the […]
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