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Linear Motion Tips

Covering Linear Motion Systems, Components and Linear Motion Resources

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Applications

What’s the difference between minimum incremental motion (MIM) and resolution?

December 24, 2020 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

miniumum incremental motion

When we talk about the positioning capabilities of a linear motion system, we typically talk about accuracy and repeatability, and in some applications — especially those driven by stepper motors — we may also be concerned with resolution. But accuracy and repeatability define a system’s ability to reach its commanded position and to do so over […]

Filed Under: Applications, Encoders + sensors (linear) + I/O, FAQs + basics, Featured, Mini + piezo + voice coil

Linear bearing seals: Types, options, and applications

December 15, 2020 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

Seals for recirculating linear bearings serve two functions — keeping contamination out and keeping lubrication in — to ensure the system operates properly without premature wear or failure. Because sealing is so critical to linear bearing systems, manufacturers offer a variety of sealing designs and materials to meet a wide range of applications and environments. […]

Filed Under: Applications, Ball + roller guides, FAQs + basics, Featured

Ball screw seals: Types, options, and applications

December 10, 2020 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

Ball screws are used in a wide range of applications, many of which expose the screw and nut assembly to harmful contamination in the form of dust, chips, or liquids. And like any bearing that uses metal balls (or rollers) on metal raceways, ball screws can experience abrasive wear when exposed to solid contaminants, while […]

Filed Under: Applications, Ball + lead + roller screws, FAQs + basics, Featured

How to size a spline shaft: Shaft strength in bending and torsion

November 18, 2020 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

Choosing a shaft for a traditional linear ball bushing is relatively easy — choose the appropriate diameter, material, and hardness, check the dimensional accuracies and tolerances, and if the shaft is unsupported, perform a beam deflection calculation. But because spline shafts can withstand both radial and torque loads, it’s important to ensure the shaft strength […]

Filed Under: Applications, Ball + roller guides, FAQs + basics, Featured, Linear bearings

How to calculate bearing life for a ball spline

November 15, 2020 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

  A ball spline is much like a linear ball bushing and shaft, but with axial grooves along the outer diameter of the shaft and the inner diameter of the nut. These grooves prevent rotation of the bearing (referred to as a spline nut) and allow the ball spline to transmit torque. Because a ball […]

Filed Under: Applications, Ball + roller guides, FAQs + basics, Featured

Linear actuators automate shampoo-bottle filling with less drips

October 26, 2020 By Lisa Eitel Leave a Comment

Consider the equipment that fills shampoo bottles. Such filling machines use conveyors to transport empty bottles to sensor-tracked wait positions. Then they insert shampoo-dispensing nozzles into the bottles and slowly raise those nozzles as the liquid rises during dispensing. Holding a constant distance between the nozzle ends and liquid surfaces prevents the shampoo from foaming. […]

Filed Under: Applications, Featured, Integrated Linear Systems, Linear actuators (all) Tagged With: iai

Industrial gas springs help in fight against COVID-19

October 24, 2020 By Lisa Eitel Leave a Comment

Gas springs, also called gas dampers, tension springs, gas-pressure springs depending on the setup and context, are compressed-air or oil cylinders that install in motion designs to damp forces and return kinematic linkages and more complicated assemblies to default positions. Gas springs work through a piston on the end of a rod that protrudes from […]

Filed Under: Applications, Featured, Integrated Linear Systems, Linear actuators (all) Tagged With: acecontrols

How to calculate linear ball bushing life (and how it differs from other life calculations)

October 23, 2020 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

The standard life calculation for linear ball bearings is widely known as: L = bearing life (m) C = rated dynamic load (N) F = applied dynamic load (N) But linear ball bushings often experience operating conditions that aren’t accounted for in the general bearing life equation. To account for these adverse conditions, the life calculation […]

Filed Under: Applications, Ball + roller guides, FAQs + basics, Featured, Linear bearings

Round-rail linear guide or profile-rail linear guide?

October 20, 2020 By Lisa Eitel Leave a Comment

In this article, we outline how to choose a linear guide for your application and environment. By Lindsey Brimage and Eric Schultz | Thomson Industries Ian Miller | Motion Industries Canada Designers of linear motion systems often find themselves weighing the pros and cons of round versus profile (also known as square) linear guides. Many […]

Filed Under: Applications, Featured, Linear bearings, Slides + guides (all) Tagged With: MotionIndustries, thomsonindustries

How to make sure you get the right linear bushing interchange

September 22, 2020 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

Linear ball bushings are one of the few interchangeable product types in linear motion, with industry-standard sizes and styles, so that a product from one manufacturer can often be substituted with a product from another manufacturer that has very similar dimensions and technical specifications. And most linear bushing manufacturers offer several product lines that are […]

Filed Under: Applications, Ball + roller guides, FAQs + basics, Featured, Linear bearings

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