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Linear Motion Tips

Covering Linear Motion Systems, Components and Linear Motion Resources

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FAQs + basics

Common applications for linear rails

September 3, 2017 By Danielle Collins 2 Comments

linear rails

Linear rails are linear assemblies that have twin parallel tracks containing load-supporting balls or rollers.  The backbone of many industrial applications, they provide low-friction guidance and high stiffness for loads that can range from just a few grams to thousands of kilograms. Their variety of sizes, accuracy classes, and preloads make linear rails suitable for […]

Filed Under: Applications, Ball + roller guides, FAQs + basics, Featured

What are monolithic XY tables?

August 24, 2017 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

Monolithic XY tables

XY tables are constructed from two linear axes – typically driven by linear motors, ball screws, or lead screws – that are mounted perpendicular to each other in either a stacked or a monolithic design. Stacked XY tables consist of two complete, separate axes mounted together, much the same way they are configured in a […]

Filed Under: FAQs + basics, Featured, Integrated Linear Systems, Stages + gantries

Defining the compliance of electromechanical linear actuators

August 23, 2017 By Lisa Eitel Leave a Comment

Modern motion controllers with built-in frequency analyzers allow direct identification of electromechanical actuators … under load … subject to real-word conditions. That in turn may help designers improve stiffness and actuator performance — even to the point of getting higher servo bandwidth. By Leonid Gannel, Ph.D.  •  Servo engineer  •  Jabil Shemer Motion Frequency analyzers […]

Filed Under: Applications, Controls for linear axes, FAQs + basics, Featured, Linear actuators (all) Tagged With: acsmotioncontrol

XY tables: How do they differ from Cartesian and gantry systems?

August 17, 2017 By Danielle Collins 4 Comments

XY Tables

There are many ways to build linear systems for motion in the X, Y, and/or Z directions – also known as Cartesian coordinates. The terms we generally use to refer to these systems depend on how the axes are assembled, where the load is positioned, and to some extent, what type of use the system […]

Filed Under: FAQs + basics, Featured, Integrated Linear Systems, Stages + gantries

What is a chopper drive for a stepper motor?

August 11, 2017 By Danielle Collins 1 Comment

Chopper Drive

There are two primary types of drivers for stepper motors, constant voltage drives (also referred to as L/R drives), and constant current drives (also referred to as chopper drives). One difficulty with stepper motor operation is that the time constant (L/R) of the motor windings prevents current from increasing rapidly during pulses. This means that […]

Filed Under: Applications, Controls for linear axes, FAQs + basics, Featured

What makes miniature ball screws unique?

August 4, 2017 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

miniature ball screws

Ball screws are used in a wide variety of applications, but some of the most challenging are those on the extreme ends of the performance spectrum – from large diameter, large lead screws for machine tools, to screws with small diameters and very fine leads for optical and medical applications. For very small, high-precision movements, […]

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

Roller screw actuators: Design and applications

July 27, 2017 By Danielle Collins 1 Comment

roller screw actuator

Electromechanical actuators come in many varieties, with common drive mechanisms being lead screws, ball screws, and roller screws. When a designer or user wants to transition from hydraulics or pneumatics to electromechanical motion, roller screw actuators are usually the best choice. They provide comparable performance characteristics to hydraulics (high force) and pneumatics (high speed), in […]

Filed Under: Ball + lead + roller screws, FAQs + basics, Featured, Linear actuators (all)

What is a 12 volt linear actuator?

July 19, 2017 By Danielle Collins 1 Comment

Linear actuators are typically characterized by their drive mechanism – belt drive, ball or lead screw drive, pneumatic drive, etc. But it’s not unusual for rod style electric actuators to be classified by the input voltage – commonly 12 or 24 volts – of their integrated motors. These actuators provide thrust force, much like a […]

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

What are can stack linear actuators?

July 12, 2017 By Danielle Collins 1 Comment

can stack

Can stack linear actuators are based on can stack stepper motors, which are a form of permanent magnet steppers that consist of two stators (and therefore two coils) stacked on top of each other. The poles of each stator are “claw tooth” design and are offset from each other by one-half of the pole pitch. […]

Filed Under: FAQs + basics, Featured, Linear motors

When are voice coil actuators the best linear motion option?

July 7, 2017 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

voice coil actuators

Voice coil actuators are most commonly used for micro- or nano-positioning applications, with strokes from 10 nm up to 100 mm. In addition to very precise positioning capabilities, voice coil actuators provide extremely smooth movement. They’re often paired with air bearings, crossed-roller guides, or linear shafts and round bearings to provide assemblies that are backlash-free. […]

Filed Under: Applications, FAQs + basics, Featured, Mini + piezo + voice coil

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