When discussing ball screw assemblies, there is often confusion surrounding common nomenclature used to describe their structure and operation. Circuits, turns, lead, pitch, and starts are all widely used, and misused, terms to quantify various aspects of ball screw assemblies. Although these specifications are related to one another, each has a unique meaning and significance to […]
Helix Linear automates PTFE coating of its precision lead screws
Helix Linear has announced the acquisition of a Robotic Coating System (RCS) for applying its proprietary H4X PTFE coating to lead screws. This is the most advanced coating system in the industry and allows Helix to precisely apply the highest quality PTFE coatings to their precision lead screws. The PTFE coating acts as a dry […]
Micro Precision Linear Actuators
Helix Linear announces its new Micro Precision linear actuators, which are offered in three different configurations to meet a wide array of applications where precision linear motion is required. The three models are the Integrated Precision Actuator (“IPA”) with a lead screw integrated into a stepper motor, the Coupled Precision Linear Actuator (“CPA”) that uses […]
What’s the purpose of a double ball nut?
In its most basic form, a double ball nut is essentially two single ball nuts that have been tensioned against each other to induce preload. Three common methods for inducing preload in a double nut are: With a spacer ring between the ball nut halves With a spring between the ball nut halves By creating […]
What is a crossed roller slide?
As their name suggests, crossed roller slides (also referred to as crossed roller bearings) are linear bearings that use cylindrical rollers—as opposed to balls—to carry a load. The rollers ride between parallel guides in which v-shaped grooves have been ground. The term “crossed” refers to the fact that the rollers are arranged in a crisscross […]
Miniature linear stage delivers higher force density
Breakthrough Miniature Linear Stage delivers five times more force and twice the force density compared to similar competitive products. Dover Motion, a leading technology solution provider for motion control systems, announces the launch of a new product, the XMG Miniature Linear Stage. This new stage is a high-performance version of Dover Motion’s Miniature Moving Magnet […]
How to calculate ball screw rigidity
The rigidity of a ball screw determines the amount of elastic deformation it will experience in the axial direction, under a given load. Elastic deformation, and therefore rigidity, is a fundamental characteristic in selecting and sizing a ball screw, as it affects the positioning accuracy of the system. δ = Elastic deformation (μm) Fa = Applied force in […]
New video helps engineers service the Thomson Motorized Lead Screw
Thomson Industries, Inc. has released a new educational video to help design engineers correctly service the Thomson Motorized Lead Screw in the field. The precision-engineered units combine a hybrid stepper motor and lead screw in one compact envelope to provide clear advantages with a solution that is smaller, stronger, and more efficient than alternate technologies. […]
Linear encoders for motion applications
Whether a linear system uses servo or stepper motors, adding a linear encoder can improve the performance of the machine and the quality of the process. In servo applications, the motor’s rotary encoder monitors its speed and direction, but a linear encoder monitors the load’s actual position. When stepper motors are used, position monitoring is especially important, […]
A user’s guide to sensors and switches
Users have an array of choices when it comes to choosing sensors for electromechanical actuators. Some actuator manufactures offer one or two varieties of sensors as standard options, depending on the construction of the actuator and its most common uses, while others leave the selection entirely to the user. Whether you’re choosing among the options […]