Linear actuators with belt drives, ballscrews, or leadscrews for their rotary-to-linear mechanical transmission most commonly pair with servomotors, stepper motors, or brushless motors. Belt-driven actuators frequently employ servomotors with planetary gearboxes for speed and precision. In contrast, ballscrew and leadscrew actuators often integrate servo or stepper motors that are coupled directly or via gear reducers […]
Linear encoders give it straight
Linear encoders are often essential. Even where they’re not, benefits they offer can justify the additional cost they incur. Linear encoders bypass the mechanical linkages of rotary-to-linear motion axes to directly measure positions of loads. That avoids the effect of backlash, pitch errors, vibration problems, and the way in which heat causes expansion and geometrical […]
How some sensors use giant magnetoresistance
So, what if an application needs a sensor to track an axis 360° and beyond? Absolute encoders need a power source and (for some designs) can be prohibitively costly while potentiometers can lack sufficient resolution. So, for applications not satisfied by these other options, multiturn shaftless rotary sensors are a leading option. These multiturn sensors: […]
Part 2 of 2: Update on electrification
In the first installment of this series, we covered the reasons why off-highway applications are primed for electrification — especially those vehicles with lots of axes that deliver relatively slow yet high-torque (or force) motion. Where the axes on a piece of off-highway or other equipment are linear, electric actuators have in some cases replaced […]
Part 1 of 2: Update on electrification
Advances in electronics, battery technologies, and motors themselves have spurred electrification in various industries. Off-highway applications lead. Electrification in the design-engineering space implies the use of electric motors to replace technologies based on fossil fuels, fluid power, purely mechanical kinematics, or even manual (human-powered) systems. Fields leading in electrification are transportation distantly followed by manufacturing, […]
Polymer bearings enable realistic simulations
Once a niche hobby, simulation or sim racing has attracted a growing number of enthusiasts seeking virtual motorsport experiences. The popularity surge has fueled demand for professional-grade simulation hardware that accurately replicates real-world racing-vehicle physics, track environments, and driver tactile feedback. Automotive, truck, and flight-simulator R&D and build integrator Sigma Integrale serves this market with […]
Polymer linear bearings enable realistic simulations
Once a niche hobby, simulation or sim racing has attracted a growing number of enthusiasts seeking virtual motorsport experiences. The popularity surge has fueled demand for professional-grade simulation hardware that accurately replicates real-world racing-vehicle physics, track environments, and driver tactile feedback. Automotive, truck, and flight-simulator R&D and build integrator Sigma Integrale serves this market with […]
Location, location, location (dictates linear-motion design)
Linear-motion component features are key to long-term reliability in demanding environments and applications. By Eric Falasco • Product manager | Bosch Rexroth Manufacturers and end users continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible with linear motion technology in extreme applications. The need for solutions that transport objects faster and with heavier payloads isn’t restricted […]
New SCHNEEBERGER Group facility in South Carolina
SCHNEEBERGER has established a production facility for its industry-leading mineral-casting technology in Rock Hill, S.C. This expansion brings the company closer to design engineers, enabling faster and more economical delivery of its mineral cast machine bases. Production is scheduled to begin onsite by Q4 2025. This strategic investment aligns with SCHNEEBERGER’s key long-term objectives. First […]
Comparing multi-axis linear systems
Gantry robots, X-Y tables, split bridges, and stages all serve specific functions. There are many ways to build linear systems for motion in the X, Y, and/or Z directions — also called Cartesian coordinates. Industry terms for these systems depend on how the axes are assembled, where the load is positioned, and (to some extent) […]
