Ball and lead screw assemblies consist of three main components: the screw shaft, the ball nut, and the end support bearings. More than just an accessory, end support bearings have a significant influence on the rigidity, maximum speed and buckling load of screw assemblies. There are two primary types of support that can be implemented for […]
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mk North America Upgrades VersaMove Standard Conveyor System
mk North America, an industry leader in conveyor systems and solutions, announces upgrades to its VersaMove Pallet-Handling System, along with a newly-designed brochure for the VersaMove line (Standard, Plus, and Ultra) that combines detailed technical information, standardization and alignment with the company’s partners in Europe. This alignment and rebranding will enable mk North America to […]
A servo system glossary for the mechanical engineer
Mechanical engineers are typically charged with designing, building, and applying a linear motion system for a specific machine or process. In doing so, our main concern is with attributes such as bearing life, deflection, and torque. And while we often work with the electrical and/or controls engineer for proper motor sizing and selection, rarely do […]
5.5 lessons that engineering school taught me
While 2016 welcomes a new crop of high school and college graduates, it also marks 20 years (!) since my college graduation. So in honor of the high-schoolers who are now facing their first semester in college and the college graduates who are finally going out into the “real” world, here are 5.5 lessons that I […]
How to calculate motor drive torque for ball screws
When sizing a motor, one of the most important factors is the required torque. In general, motor torque-speed curves outline two primary areas of permissible torque: continuous and intermittent. Intermittent motor torque is allowed only for a short time (specified by the manufacturer) and in most cases is the torque required during acceleration. A motor’s […]
Moment of inertia: area or mass?
Moment of inertia is an important parameter when sizing and selecting a linear system. But it’s critical to know which type of inertia—planar moment of inertia or mass moment of inertia—is given and how it affects the performance of the system. Planar moment of inertia Planar moment of inertia (also referred to as second moment of […]
Earth Day 2016: Energy efficiency in automation
On Friday, April 22, people around the world will celebrate the 46th annual Earth Day, with the theme, “Let’s get really big stuff done for our planet.” And while there are multiple ways for individuals to celebrate and participate, the biggest impacts to our environment come not from individuals, but from industry. Fortunately, some of the […]
Golf-club washer uses linear-motion actuators to transport wash nozzles
Soon, you could see a new station called a Riveer TourSpin Club Washer cleaning dirty irons and hybrids at a golf course or country club near you — with the help of linear-motion actuators inside. Golf games tend to improve when players use well-maintained equipment. In contrast, dirty equipment can degrade games — not to mention golf courses […]
8 Great Engineering Comics
Who doesn’t love engineering comics? Let’s face it—no matter how much you love your job and how great your co-workers and managers are, we all experience frustrations and adversity at work. And nobody epitomizes the plight of engineers quite like Dilbert, Alice and Wally. Over the years, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite Dilbert […]
Three easy ways to reduce maintenance costs for linear systems
If you’ve read many articles on this site, you probably recall that inadequate lubrication can cause bearing failure. But while lubrication is the most important maintenance factor in linear bearing life, there are other things that users can do to reduce maintenance costs and ensure they get the most life from a linear bearing, ball screw, or […]