When choosing an encoder for motion applications, a few specifications immediately come to mind. What sensing technology should you use? What accuracy and resolution do you need? Does the application require incremental or absolute position feedback? But one specification that is sometimes overlooked during sizing and selection is the maximum encoder speed. Like any electrical […]
What are Hertz contact stresses and how do they affect linear bearings?
Linear bearings that use balls or rollers to carry a load are subjected to Hertz contact stresses — a type of material stress that plays a significant role in determining the bearing’s load capacity and fatigue life. When two surfaces of different radii are in contact and a load is applied (even an extremely small load), […]
Bearing damage: What’s the difference between brinelling, spalling, and fretting?
Bearing damage, and ultimately, failure, can be caused by a variety of conditions, including improper mounting, poor lubrication, and overloading, to name a few. The mode of damage — what actually happened to the bearing as a result of detrimental conditions — is characterized by visible features, such as discoloration, wear marks, or pitting, on […]
Which type of linear actuator is best for thrust forces?
When an application requires pure thrust forces, the best type of linear actuator is often a rod-style actuator. Also referred to as “thrust actuators” and (when a motor is integrated) “electric actuators,” these electromechanical devices excel at providing axial, or thrust, forces for pushing, pulling, or holding loads. Although their function is straightforward, thrust actuators […]
What’s the difference between a servo drive and a motion controller?
Servo systems are made up of four key parts: a motor, a feedback device, a servo drive, and a motion controller. The servo drive and motion controller work together (supported by information from the feedback device) to provide the correct power to the motor so that it executes the intended movement or produces the desired […]
When to consider Kevlar reinforced belts for linear motion applications
Both types of belts commonly used in linear positioning applications — V-belts and synchronous designs — have internal tensile cords that serve as the primary load-carrying component. Or, as one engineer from Gates Mectrol put it, the tensile cords are the “muscle” of the belt. V-belts and synchronous belts are offered with tensile cords of various materials, including polyester, […]
Do IP ratings for ingress protection apply to linear motion components?
When designing, selecting, or assembling a linear system, you may have noticed that some components have an IP rating — IP54 or IP65, for example — while others don’t. Here we explain why that is, and what the IP ratings mean. IP: International Protection (or Ingress Protection) The “IP” acronym stands for “International Protection,” although […]
What are draw-wire sensors and where are they used?
Options abound for tracking or measuring the position of a linear system — from magnetic and optical linear encoders that read changes in magnetism or light, to linear variable differential transformers that operate on the principle of mutual induction, to magnetostrictive sensors that rely on torsional strain induced by magnetic fields. But each of these technologies requires […]
How to use a torque-speed curve to select a servo motor
Servo motors are typically used for dynamic applications, where quick acceleration rates necessitate high torque production. In fact, one of the defining characteristics of a servo system is its ability to precisely control torque across a wide speed range, and the various speeds and torques required during the application’s move profile are a key parameter […]
How to calculate motor drive torque for belt and pulley systems
Belt driven linear systems are common in applications that require long travel and high speed, such as gantry robots and material handling and transport. The motors of choice for these systems are often servo motors, for their ability to accurately control position, speed, and torque. Sizing and selecting the servo motor requires determining both the continuous […]
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