There are few linear motion applications in which the load is perfectly centered over the supporting bearing. On the contrary – the majority of applications involve loads that are cantilevered, meaning they are offset from the bearing and induce a moment load. In this context, the term “bearing” can mean a single bearing or a […]
Applications
How to calculate encoder resolution
Resolution is one of the most important indicators of an encoder’s performance. For incremental encoders, resolution is typically specified in pulses per revolution (PPR), or, in the case of linear encoders, pulses per inch (PPI) or pulses per millimeter (PPM). These square-wave pulses are very precisely spaced, and the encoder determines its position by counting […]
The top 5 linear motion stories of 2017
While the articles on this site cover a broad range of linear motion topics, one topic that always makes the “top posts” list is ball screws. And this year was no disappointment. Take a look at the top five LinearMotionTips.com articles of 2017 to see what else our readers were most interested in this year. 1. […]
Gearing and gearbox resources from motioncontroltips.com
Gears, and in particular, gearboxes, are common in linear motion applications, providing speed reduction and torque multiplication for systems driven by belt and pulley or chain and sprocket assemblies. The diversity of gear types and materials available for industrial applications makes it important (albeit somewhat challenging) for designers and users of linear motion systems to […]
10 resources for selecting the right profiled rail guide
Profiled rail guides – especially those that use recirculating balls or rollers – are pervasive in industrial motion applications, with high load capacities, high stiffness, and a wide variety of styles and sizes to choose from. In fact, the sheer number of options for recirculating ball or roller style profiled rails can make selecting the […]
How to manage backpressure from accumulation
Accumulation conveyors provide buffer zones in material handling systems to manage product flow, which is especially important when there is an imbalance between upstream and downstream capacity. But accumulation often results in backpressure, which can damage products or cause downstream operational problems. Common drawbacks of product accumulation Traditional conveying systems experience backpressure during product accumulation […]
Simple support structure improves warehouse packaging efficiency
An improvement in packaging efficiency required attention to ergonomics, ease of assembly, and cost efficiency. Automation is changing how traditional distribution centers operate as companies search for new ways to maximize their efficiency, increase order accuracy and fulfill customer demand. When it comes to automated technology, most people tend to think about robots, automated guide […]
When to consider crossed roller slides
When an application requires a linear guide with high load capacity, high stiffness, and good travel accuracy, the range of suitable products is typically narrowed down to two designs: recirculating linear guides and crossed roller slides. Where recirculating linear guides use balls to support the load, crossed roller slides use rollers. The rollers ride in […]
How to improve ball screw rigidity (with support-bearing selection and more)
Updated May 2019 || Ball screw rigidity depends not only on the screw shaft and ball nut, but also on the thrust bearings and on the ball nut and bearing housings. Where: Rtot = Rigidity of the screw system (N/μm) RS = Rigidity of the screw shaft (N/μm) RN = Rigidity of the ball nut (N/μm) RB […]
New video: Parker mSR actuators and stages for sub-micron precision
In a recent video shoot with our esteemed colleague Paul Heney, I got the chance to experiment with miniature square-rail linear positioners from the mSR actuator series. Designed and manufactured by the Electromechanical & Drives Division of Parker Hannifin, this series of guided linear-motor driven positioners is engineered to deliver modularity and performance in a compact […]