There’s demand for motion designs offering simplicity or turnkey operation, so component suppliers are now doing much more integration for OEMs and plant engineers. Nowhere is this more evident than in the way today’s positioning stages, rotary tables, and gantry setups are built. “As part of this trend, we’re seeing more demand for our IntelLiGent […]
Applications
Robots that are saving the environment
Earth Day was celebrated this weekend, and it’s probably not a stretch to say that most of you participated in some way, whether it was joining a local cleanup, planting trees, or just pledging to make better use of your reusable water bottle and grocery bags. A 2010 study by Trucost estimated that environmental damage caused […]
What happens when a bearing reaches the end of its life?
Determining the expected life a recirculating ball or roller bearing is fairly straightforward when the applied loads and duty cycle are known. Just use the bearing life equation: for recirculating ball bearings OR for recirculating roller bearings Where: L = bearing life C = bearing dynamic load capacity F = applied dynamic load These equations give the […]
What you missed at Automate 2017: Linear-motion technologies and more
We had a lot of fun last week at the Automate 2017 Show in Chicago — and some 20,000 other people did as well. Hot new robotics, motion control, and other technologies for automation wowed crowds big and small. On the front for linear motion, the big news this year at Automate was the expanding use of seventh-axis systems for extending […]
Intelligrated demonstrates ASRS + robotic picking at Automate 2017
Intelligrated, a leading North American-based automated material handling solutions provider, showcases fully automated each picking at Automate booth #1616 in the north hall of McCormick Place in Chicago. Advances in robotic vision, perception, motion planning and grasping enable picking capability that approaches the speed and ability of manual operators while offering superior predictability, scalability, accuracy […]
How to specify linear actuator travel
One of the most important criteria when selecting a linear actuator is how far it needs to travel. The travel, or stroke length, can dictate the type of drive mechanisms that are practical (screw, belt, rack and pinion, or linear motor). But more importantly, specifying the wrong stroke or travel can leave you with an […]
What is back driving and why is it important?
Power transmission screws—ball screws and lead screws—are typically used for converting rotary motion to linear motion. But when a load is applied axially to the nut, they do the opposite and convert linear motion to rotary motion. This is known as back driving, and is generally an unwanted effect. Although it can occur regardless of the […]
What is L10 life and why does it matter?
One of the fundamental steps in selecting a recirculating linear bearing, whether profiled rail or round shaft type, is to calculate the bearing life. But how is this calculation derived, and what does it mean in the “real world?” Bearing life for recirculating linear bearings, often referred to as the L10 life, is a method […]
8 commonly misused engineering terms explained
While much of the terminology in engineering and automation is standardized, some words are still widely misused, especially when different terms apply to similar principles. And the fact that a term may have different meanings in different disciplines (i.e. physics vs. engineering) makes it difficult to know which word is the most accurate and appropriate for a […]
Option for fine-stroke adjustment improves linear-drive reversal point accuracy
Amacoil-Uhing Model RG linear drives now feature an option for fine adjustment of maximum travel distance. On the standard Amacoil-Uhing drive assembly, the end stops limiting travel distance are set by hand. With the new option, the end stops ride on threaded rods with control knobs on both ends. Turning the rods moves the end […]