Christopher J Hetzer, CEO, Gilman USA The geometry of dovetail slides improves the precision of in-line movements for some machines. Dovetail-slide assemblies go into applications that need accurate linear strokes even under complex loading or nonstandard mounting arrangements. Like other linear-motion devices, they have a stationary rail (the base) and a moving carriage (the saddle). […]
2015 linear-motion trends: What to know about pre-engineered setups
Technology improvements continue to elevate the performance of linear-motion setups. When we asked industry experts about this trend, all identified the same driving markets—packaging and medical—but different technologies to satisfy new design challenges. Case in point: Jeremy Miller, product manager for linear mechanics at the Electromechanical Div. of Parker Hannifin, said tubular linear motors lead innovation. […]
Small to big, conveyors get job-specific features
Today’s conveyors perform better than ever thanks to material advances and modular designs tailored to applications. That’s true of miniature conveyors for discrete product sorting, extra-large conveyors for bulk material-handling operations, and everything in between. Discrete medical, pharmaceutical and assembly applications use the most miniature conveyors, but until the last decade or so, most such […]
Top ballscrew trends: More capacity and miniaturization
Ballscrews are a mainstay in motion applications, partly because their performance is so predictable, and they’re relatively easy to design into machinery. Over the last few years, advances in manufacturing and materials have improved ballscrew performance so OEMs today can get better linear motion with them at lower cost. For starters, the latest generation of […]
Three rail features make smoother motion in machine tools
When it comes to linear motion, machine-tool applications are often the most demanding. Just consider how motion-controller manufacturers have improved their components in recent years with the latest processors to boost the precision of machine tools. Or consider how Heidenhain (maker of linear encoders) addresses the relatively small effect of thermal drift on mechanical components […]
PBC Linear and Moons’ to make linear actuators and systems
PBC Linear of Pacific Bearing Co. is a linear-motion and bearings manufacturer in Roscoe, Illinois, perhaps best known for its self-lubricating bearings. At the recent CIIF Show in Shanghai, China, PBC Linear and Moons’ Industries — the fourth largest stepper motor manufacturer in the world — announced a joint venture to make integrated mechatronic designs for linear-motion […]
PTDA honors a distributor and a leading woman of industry
Last week, the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA), Chicago, named Kevin McCloskey the recipient of its Warren Pike Award for lifetime achievement in the power-transmission and motion-control (PT/MC) industry. The PTDA is a nonprofit setup in 1960 to give distributors opportunities for networking, educational sessions, and business tools to stay competitive and profitable. McCloskey is […]
Changes at Baldor: H2W acquires linear-motor lines
Big news in the world of linear motion: H2W Technologies Inc., Santa Clarita, Calif., has acquired linear-motor product lines from Baldor. H2W claims 38 years of expertise in the manufacture of linear electric motors, and we’ve covered some of their technologies over the years: Most recently, H2W announced a linear induction motor with 2,900 N at […]
