There’s an untapped automation potential for palletizing goods in production and other industries. Realizing this potential requires flexible, easy-to-use, and affordable cobot solutions that can adjust to different palletizing setups and generate rapid return on investment. To meet these demands, LINAK now offers the ELEVATE lifting column — a new product that extends the reach […]
Comparing belt-drive types for automation applications
Synchronous belt drives dominate motion control designs for positioning and other precision functions. Here we detail V belts and other belt types used in industrial, robotic, and consumer designs for both linear and rotary axes. Modern flat belts are either endless (welded or otherwise closed into a hoop by the manufacturer) or open. Common on […]
Update on today’s belt drives
Belt drives have continued to evolve with new applications. Industrial belt drives in motion designs consist of rubber, engineered plastic, metal, or (most common) multi-material belts that wrap around drive pulleys — grooved or otherwise profiled wheels mounted on a shaft — in turn driven by electric motors. Powered by various motor types, belt drives run […]
Four-axis positioning stages with four motor options
OES (Optimal Engineering Systems Inc.) has added to their line of purpose-built stages. The new XYZR Series of Four-axes Stages are the integration of a: 15 mm, 30 mm, 50 mm, 75 mm, or 100 mm linear stages (in any combination) for the X, Y, and Z axes, and a 60 mm or 100 mm […]
Rediscovering ball splines for robust linear and rotary motion
Ball splines were once a staple for machine designers seeking an elegant way to integrate rotary and linear motion. Driven by pressures to speed their machines to market, many designers found it faster to implement prepackaged solutions in which rotary and linear motion shafts had already been integrated. By Charles Isaac • Thomson Industries Chris […]
Linear and rotary motion components satisfy aerospace requirements
Linear guides, cam followers, and crossed-roller bearings can satisfy the demanding requirements for space-flight hardware. By IKO engineering staff | www.ikont.com As space activity shifts from governmental agencies to a growing industry driven by commercial entities and even startups, the types of spacecrafts and the missions they support are also expanding. This diversifying industry is […]
Beckhoff optimizes linear motion with machine learning solution that eliminates cogging
The highly dynamic AL8000 linear motors from Beckhoff now meet even greater requirements for accuracy and synchronization with the new TwinCAT Cogging Compensation software. This makes the linear motors particularly suitable for high-precision applications such as milling machines or laser cutting machines. The cogging compensation software makes use of machine learning, which is seamlessly integrated […]
Machining Center Manufacturing MCM S.P.A. to exhibit at this year’s IMTS
Flexible manufacturing system (FMS) systems leader MCM S.P.A. Machining Center Manufacturing will be participating in the upcoming IMTS show this September at McCormick Place in Chicago — September 12 through 17. They will be at booth # S-8574. MCM will showcase a portion of their eight-machine system FMS, including an RVG pallet system, load stations, […]
Choosing linear and angle encoders for semiconductor machinery
The manufacture and testing of semiconductors involves the competing requirements of nanometer positioning and high throughput. Here, the right encoder can help motion designs deliver on both counts. By HEIDENHAIN CORPORATION staff engineers Semiconductor manufacturing and testing equipment can have the best motion-control bandwidth, artificial intelligence capabilities, and optics in the world, but none of […]
Part 2 of 2: Electric actuators as an alternative to hydraulic cylinders
Here we offer some tips for converting a fluid-power-driven axis to electrical actuation. By Ryan Klemetson • Business Development Manager | Tolomatic, Inc. As explained in Part 1 of this article series on motioncontroltips.com, hydraulic systems offer long service life, but they’re not as efficient as electric systems. Electric systems also provide precise position, velocity, […]
