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Linear Motion Tips

Covering Linear Motion Systems, Components and Linear Motion Resources

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FAQs + basics

Troubleshooting V-belt wear and failure

January 24, 2022 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

Broken V-belt

Although there are more than a dozen symptoms of premature wear and impending failure for V-belts — ranging from visible damage to audible noise — there are a few key ways that these friction-based belts can fail during operation. To help users determine the root cause of a failure or signs of potential failure, V-belt […]

Filed Under: Belt + chain drives for linear, FAQs + basics, Featured

When are stepper motors paired with ball screws (rather than lead screws)?

January 12, 2022 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

Stepper motors are widely used in industrial and consumer applications ranging from packaging equipment and medical devices to 3D printers and vending machines. They have excellent torque production at (relatively) low speeds — especially for a given motor size — and offer high-resolution positioning in a simple-to-use format. These benefits make them well-suited to drive lead […]

Filed Under: Applications, Ball + lead + roller screws, Ball + leadscrew driven, FAQs + basics, Featured

What do the belt section designations H, J, K, L, and M mean for ribbed V-belts?

January 6, 2022 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

ribbed v-belt

V-belts rely on friction caused by the “wedging” of the belt between pulley flanges — together with internal fiber cords — to transmit power in a wide range of industrial and consumer-goods applications. One variation of the traditional V-belt is the ribbed V-belt — also referred to as a V-ribbed, poly V, or serpentine belt. Ribbed V-belts take […]

Filed Under: Belt + chain drives for linear, FAQs + basics, Featured

What is a split bridge system and how does it differ from a gantry?

December 23, 2021 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

split bridge system

Multi-axis linear systems come in a variety of designs, with Cartesian, gantry, and XY tables being some of the most common types. While these designs simplify construction and can provide space savings, they also introduce “stacking” errors — the compounding of errors from each axis, which manifests at the work piece or tool point. Mounting axes […]

Filed Under: FAQs + basics, Featured, Stages + gantries

What are the benefits of six-row linear bearings

December 15, 2021 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

six-row linear bearing cutaway

The most common types of recirculating linear bearings use four rows of balls — two on each side of the bearing block — to provide good load capacity and rigidity. But the four-row design means that when radial (downward or liftoff) or lateral (side) loads are applied, only two rows of balls are engaged to support […]

Filed Under: Ball + roller guides, FAQs + basics, Featured, Slides + guides (all)

Contact angle: What is it and how does it affect linear bearing performance?

December 10, 2021 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

contact angle and load distribution

In profiled rail linear guides that use balls or rollers, the geometry and arrangement of the bearing raceways play a significant role in the bearing’s load capacity, friction, rigidity, and ability to withstand errors in mounting. But there’s another aspect of a bearing’s design that also plays a role in its load capacity and rigidity […]

Filed Under: Ball + roller guides, Crossed-roller slides, FAQs + basics, Featured, Linear bearings

How to choose a lubricant for recirculating linear bearings

December 3, 2021 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

All metal-on-metal recirculating bearings require lubrication in order to function properly and provide a reasonable bearing life. Lubrication reduces friction and heat by separating the rolling elements from the bearing raceway, inhibits corrosion, protects bearing surfaces from contamination, and helps seals run smoothly and operate effectively. Although the importance of lubrication is clear, choosing the best […]

Filed Under: Applications, Ball + roller guides, Crossed-roller slides, FAQs + basics, Featured, Linear bearings

Causes of tooth shear in synchronous belts, and how to avoid it

November 23, 2021 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

synchronous belt failures

Synchronous belts transmit power via positive engagement between belt teeth and pulley grooves, making them suitable for applications that require high torque and making them less prone than traditional V-belts to slip in dynamic applications. But even synchronous belts can experience failure if they’re not installed, maintained, and applied properly. One way that toothed belts […]

Filed Under: Applications, Belt + chain driven, Belt + chain drives for linear, FAQs + basics, Featured

What are common applications for hybrid stepper motor linear actuators?

November 15, 2021 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

When it comes to electromechanical linear actuators, integrated designs offer space savings, reduced complexity, and lower total cost of ownership with fewer parts required for repair or replacement. One such design that’s found multiple uses in medical, 3D printing, and assembly applications is the hybrid stepper motor linear actuator, which combines a ball or lead […]

Filed Under: Applications, Ball + leadscrew driven, FAQs + basics, Featured

How axial and radial loads affect linear motion systems

November 10, 2021 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

axial radial loads

In any motion system, understanding the type and direction of applied and resultant loads is important for determining bearing life and analyzing deflection. In linear motion systems, we typically use Cartesian coordinates (X, Y, and Z) to define the placement and direction of loads. But for rotating components such as screws, rack and pinion drives, […]

Filed Under: Applications, FAQs + basics, Featured, Linear actuators (all), Linear drives (all), Slides + guides (all)

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