Technology trends in electric actuator design continue from years past, influencing manufacturers offerings to designers. For instance, electric actuators are easier to specify and install, with more application-specific models on offer. This tracks with other trends including the move to more integrated motion designs, opening up more and varied applications for electric actuators. Here’s what […]
Resilient pneumatics keep pace with changing demands
Pneumatic actuation has long been a tried-and-true motion method in many industries and applications. But today’s pneumatics companies are not your grandfather’s pneumatics – they are changing along with broader industrial and manufacturing trends, and continue to evolve their product offerings in line with new industry demands. Fluid power actuation, like pneumatics, is not going […]
New linear actuator offered as alternative to pneumatic actuation
The new LDL25 Series Linear Actuator from SMAC has been designed as a cost-competitive alternative to pneumatics. A common trend in industrial automation is that users are looking for electric alternatives to their pneumatic components for a number of reasons: control, cycle life, operating cost and environment, among others. The LDL series actuator features several […]
Rails, screw assemblies boast 20,000 km travel without relubrication
The BSHP ball rail systems and BASA ball screw assemblies from Bosch Rexroth now achieve lubrication intervals that are up to four times longer. In more and more applications, they can even be used maintenance-free over the entire service life of a component. As a result, low-maintenance or maintenance-free linear motion technology minimizes operating costs […]
New SureMotion LAHP Series linear actuators and slides from AutomationDirect
The SureMotion LAHP series linear actuators, slides, and accessories are XYZ gantry components that allow creation of a motion system with up to three axes of movement. These motor-ready linear actuators and sliding components have travel lengths of up to 910 mm. They turn rotary motion into linear motion and provide a variety of X-Y […]
Direct-drive rotary servo tables feature large aperture
The ACR-490UT precision rotation stage from IntelLiDrives is a low-profile rotary table with high-speed direct-drive rotary servo motor that features a large 490-mm center aperture and lightweight construction. This makes it a suitable choice for a host of applications, from precision indexing to high-speed laser machining to handling large diameter silicon wafers for semiconductor processing. […]
Mapping tool optimizes gear rack assembly to maximize positioning accuracy
The positioning accuracy of a rack & pinion drive is dependent on the cumulative pitch error inherent in each gear rack used. For long travel lengths, this cumulative pitch error can add up quickly and dramatically affect the positioning accuracy of the axis. ATLANTA now offers “digital” gear racks and a smartphone app that when […]
Multi-axis motion sub-system boasts nanometer resolution
The new X-417 multi-axis motion sub-system from PI (Physik Instrumente) boasts nanometer resolution, absolute encoders, fast configuration, delivery, and set-up. It’s suitable for a broad range of industrial precision motion applications, including precision automation, laser processing, test and inspection, medical manufacturing, and semiconductor testing. Machine builders and system integrators can move faster and address new, […]
Precise miniature slide guides from NB Corporation
SEBS-B type slide guides from NB Corporation feature standard radial clearances that are twice as accurate. The guides are available in both retained-ball (whose elements allow for easier handling because the guide block may be removed from rail without ball loss) or low-cost non-retained ball lines. Available sizes are from 2 mm with friction-free travels […]
Motorized vertical lift stages feature high load capacity, high precision
OES (Optimal Engineering Systems, Inc.) has added 3 high precision vertical lift stages capable of elevating heavy loads by 30 mm (1.18 in.) in an ultra-low profile design. The rigid box construction of the moving component of the elevator stage travels on six slide rails assuring smooth vertical travel and parallelism of the table and […]