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, […]
New LMHB linear ball bushing can press fit into assemblies
THK America Inc. now offers a type LMHB linear bushing for linear-motion applications. This linear bushing is press-fit into moving elements of linear motion axes to allow smooth traversal of round shaft. The THK LMHB linear bushing achieves smooth and silent motion thanks to the spring effect provided by curved metal plates within the assembly […]
Nook Industries sells family business to Altra Industrial Motion Corp.
Nook Industries, a leader in US engineered linear motion products and solutions, announced today that it has sold the family-owned business to Braintree, Massachusetts-based Altra Industrial Motion Corp. (Nasdaq: AIMC), a leading global manufacturer and supplier of motion control, power transmission and automation products. The Nook business, which will be integrated into Altra’s Thomson operating […]
MKS now offers Newport MLT-Z vertical linear stages and pre-assembled MLT-XYZ stacks
MKS Instruments is extending its MLT Series of compact, low profile high precision linear stages with pre-assembled XYZ-stacks and MLT-Z vertical stages. MLT stages are ideal for typical scanning or point-to-point applications in semiconductor, industrial, or research markets for metrology, sensor test and calibration, alignment, and pick-and-place assembly. The MLT series showcases the latest innovations and […]
Smart mechatronics add capabilities to linear motion applications
Today’s manufacturing system OEMs and automation end users are constantly seeking technology advancements to help make their lives easier. Industry 4.0 innovations have spurred a new class of smart technologies that combine digital electronics and communication interfaces for more sophistication, functionality, and ease of use. By Richard Hansen • Senior automation engineer | Bosch Rexroth […]
Top 10 considerations when applying rack and pinion systems
Rack and pinion systems are excellent electromechanical devices uniquely suited for achieving a linear or rotary motion solution mostly unattainable with other technologies. The typical system is made up of long straight rack (or linear gear) with teeth on one surface, a matching pinion (or circular gear), and a method for driving one or the […]
Ride the wave of electrification: Off-highway designs with linear actuators
The transition of mobile machinery and off-highway equipment away from fossil fuels may be a long-term goal, but electrification is already delivering real benefits in the sector. By Tarek Bugaighis • Ewellix Is the era of the internal combustion engine coming to end? Under pressure to reduce harmful emissions, the automotive industry is already gearing […]
Gothic arches, tracks, and roller bearings in the context of linear motion
Industry terminology used to describe linear guides and other linear components widely varies. Here we explain three linear-guide phrases and words having multiple meanings — and differentiate how they relate to track-roller linear guides and profiled-rail linear guides. Let’s start by reviewing the multiple linear-motion meanings for Gothic-arch linear bearing. Gothic arches originate from civil […]
Functional safety (and IIoT connectivity) from linear brakes
In a recent Design World feature, we covered the basics of how functional safety is quantified … and what constitutes a servo-brake option with functional-safety certification. Here we share more details on the construction of safety brakes for linear axes and the intersection of brake safety and IIoT capabilities. Machine safety is core to nearly […]
