In a recent video with Paul J. Heney, I got the chance to review the features of an H-Track actuator from Warner Linear of Altra Industrial Motion. As we detail, applications abound for medical, off-highway, and industrial applications. In fact, the electric H-Track actuators deliver the smooth motion and strength of hydraulics but from a compact […]
Applications
What limits linear bearing speed? (Part 2)
In part 1 of this series on bearing speed, we looked at the factors that limit the speed of linear recirculating bearings. In this segment, we’ll look at the factors that limit the speed of linear plain bearings. Linear plain bearings operate with sliding contact between the two bearing surfaces, so the limitations encountered with […]
Maintenance-free chains for applications in conveying systems
iwis now sells Megalife maintenance-free roller and conveyor chains. The special characteristics of the Megalife chains allow longer replacement intervals and reduce maintenance costs and downtimes of conveying systems. The chains are used wherever relubrication is not possible or disadvantageous, for example in dry ambient conditions and on installations with restricted maintenance access. This includes conveying […]
Dissipating static electricity in urethane rollers and wheels
Static electricity is an invisible field of protons, neutrons, and electrons found in anything that has potential to move. Each atom has its own properties and characteristics. One of these properties is an electrical charge. Protons have what is called a “positive” (+) charge, which is the root of static electricity buildup in urethane […]
What limits linear bearing speed? (Part 1)
High-speed motion is a requirement for applications where throughput is a critical factor, such as packaging and electronic assembly. These systems typically use linear motors or steel reinforced belt drives in conjunction with recirculating linear bearing guides for good stiffness and high load capacity. But the speeds demanded by these applications can pose a challenge […]
Rittal’s €40 million AS/RS setup supports 24 or 48-hour delivery
Rittal, a manufacturer of modular enclosure, power management, and software products is using a massive new global distribution center in Haiger, Germany to deliver enclosures and housings twice as fast as before. The state-of-the-art logistics center has an area of more than 4,000 m2 to 32 m high in some sections to fully automate the […]
Environmental challenges for linear bearings, and how to address them
“Environment” is a difficult parameter to quantify when selecting recirculating linear bearings or ball screws. Unlike load, stroke, or speed, there are no programs or calculations that help you choose the right bearing based on environmental factors. But environmental conditions can have a big impact on the performance of linear bearings and ball screws. Because these components operate […]
Larger work area for RP-Series dispensing robot from Dispense Works
Dispense Works Inc. now offers the RP Series robots with a 36 x 20-in. work area in a compact and space-saving benchtop. RP-Series robots — manufactured in the U.S. — are for adhesive and myriad other fluid-dispensing applications … as well as assembly using UV curing for mounting, tooling, fixturing, and more. These robots feature machine-tool […]
ELP Electric Linear Module from SCHUNK for quick actuation
The SCHUNK ELP can be adjusted in two simple steps making it the most user friendly electric linear module on the market! The end positions can be mechanically adjusted with a screw and the speed of extension and retraction is adjusted using rotary switches on the side of the unit. Speed can be automatically adjusted, […]
Have a ball screw application? Check out these resources for sizing and selection
One of the most popular subjects on this site is ball screws—especially the topic of how (and when) to select a ball screw. This is not surprising, because screws, and ball screws in particular, are workhorses of linear motion, with a range of styles, sizes, and performance capabilities that covers just about any application an engineer or designer […]