Certain approaches simplify the sizing, integration, and protecting of tubular linear motors destined for thermally constrained applications — and they don’t necessarily rely on the use of large and costly motors. Rebecca McWilliam · Director of engineering — Iris Dynamics | irisdynamics.com Linear motors behave differently than rotary motors — so how does their electrical power […]
Combining hydraulic and electric-motor strengths for presses
Press equipment in the machine-tool industry often employs hydraulic systems for their ability to deliver high force … yet fluid leaks, energy consumption, compromised precision, and downtime can be real issues — especially as pumps, hoses, seals, and filtration components need regular servicing. What’s more, engineers often overspecify presses’ hydraulic actuators for significantly higher force […]
Gear and motor choices for linear actuators
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 […]
