When a linear motion application requires high thrust force and rigidity along with good positioning accuracy, a preloaded ball screw assembly is often the best choice. Manufacturers offer ball screw preload amounts ranging from just 1 or 2 percent for applications where backlash would be detrimental, up to 10 percent or greater for applications that […]
Applications
Stepper motors: Differences between permanent magnet, variable reluctance, and hybrid types
Stepper motors are commonly used in linear motion applications for their precise positioning capabilities and good holding torque. And while the basic operating principle is the same for all stepper motors, there are differences in operation and performance between the three primary types: permanent magnet, variable reluctance, and hybrid. Permanent magnet stepper motors Permanent magnet […]
Profitable design of linear motion: Choosing between DIY or turnkey builds
Engineers building linear motion systems can use ground-up DIY approaches or purchase complete turnkey solutions. Here we explain where each tactic is most profitable. By John Brokaw and Kent Martins | Valin Corp. How should designers pick between building linear-motion designs in-house or purchasing pre-engineered assemblies? What is there to consider when determining the best […]
Altra Industrial Motion power transmission components for vertical lift systems
Altra Industrial Motion supplies technically advanced clutches and brakes, geared motors, speed reducers, couplings, controls and sensors, sheaves, and castings for a wide range of vertical lift applications including cranes and hoists, stage lifts, elevators, escalators, ski lifts, amusement rides, overhead doors, moveable bridges and ship lifts. With industry-leading brand names, including Warner Electric, Stromag, […]
Tolomatic electric actuators with longer strokes (to replace fluid-power cylinders)
Tolomatic high force electric rod-style actuators now feature stroke lengths to 1.5 m (60 in.) for more flexibility for converting motion control applications with hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders to electric linear motion. Designed for high duty-cycle performance in demanding applications, the RSX, RSA and ERD electric rod-style product families use planetary roller screws for longer […]
Tolomatic integrated servo motor and drive (with PROFINET) automates simple motion axes
The Tolomatic ACSI integrated servo/motor/controller is now available with PROFINET Industrial Ethernet protocol — to let engineers design easy-to-use and cost-effective electric actuator setups for single-axis applications. The integrated package is suitable for replacing pneumatic cylinders and automating any simple axis of motion with Siemens or other PROFINET enabled PLCs. With built-in configurations for Tolomatic […]
Parker Virtual Engineer— New easy-to-use sizing and selection design collaboration tool for reducing design expenses
Parker Hannifin’s Electromechanical & Drives Division now offers a motion-control design tool for engineers to help with proper selection of electromechanical linear motion. Virtual Engineer presents an intuitive interface where users can easily enter their application specifications (for example — speed, load, external forces) and then quickly navigate to accurately sized product options. The tool […]
Lead screw selection: What should I consider besides diameter and lead?
Once you’ve gone through the process of sizing a lead screw, you know what diameter and lead will provide the required load capacity, speed, and back driving torque for the application. But there are hundreds — maybe thousands — of lead screw designs on the market. Beyond the basics of diameter and lead, how do you […]
35-mm CBL35C programmable electric moving-coil servo actuator from SMAC Corp.
Now a 35-mm-diameter SMAC Corp. CBL35C electric cylinder has a built-in controller. The latter lets the CBL35C control force, position, and velocity — and facilitates simple installation. The actuator works for applications with limited space but needing accurate control … Plus the CBL35C provides significantly longer life, programmability, high speed, accuracy, and energy efficiency maintaining […]
Lead screw sizing in 4 steps
Lead screw sizing is a bit of a hybrid exercise, with similarities to the process of ball screw sizing, but incorporating some of the considerations that come with sizing a plain bearing. While many factors are involved in the selection of a specific lead screw assembly, lead screw sizing — choosing the right diameter and […]