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Linear Motion Tips

Covering Linear Motion Systems, Components and Linear Motion Resources

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ASRS

Part 2 – What is racking in gantry systems, and how can it be avoided?

December 13, 2019 By Danielle Collins 1 Comment

In Part 1 of this post, we looked at various methods of driving the X axes in gantry systems and how the drive method can influence the gantry’s tendency to experience racking. Another factor that can cause racking in gantry systems is lack of mounting accuracy and parallelism between the two X axes. Racking is the common name […]

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

What is racking in gantry systems, and how can it be avoided? (Part 1)

December 6, 2019 By Danielle Collins 2 Comments

racking

Gantries differ from other types of multi-axis systems (such as Cartesian robots and XY tables) by using two base (X) axes in parallel, with a perpendicular (Y) axis connecting them. While this dual X-axis arrangement provides a wide, stable footprint and allows gantry systems to deliver high load capacity, long travel lengths, and good rigidity, […]

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

Güdel gantry robots add gentle touch to bakery automation

June 3, 2019 By Lisa Eitel Leave a Comment

Güdel 7th axis on bakery machine Workhorse Automation design for baking showing loaf pans

In the U.S., about 50 million people a day eat at fast-food restaurants — and about 60,000 of those establishments sell hamburgers. That requires epic volumes of fresh buns every day … and only commercial bakeries with automated operations can output sufficient production volumes. Workhorse Automation Inc. (based in Oxford, Pa.) supplies machines to this […]

Filed Under: Applications, ASRS, Featured, Integrated Linear Systems, Rack + pinion driven, Rack + pinion sets Tagged With: gudel

Basics of cam followers (including those for linear motion)

May 15, 2019 By Lisa Eitel Leave a Comment

Cam followers are power-transmission devices with a rotary bearing core that bears load while serving as the interface between independently moving machine sections. Applications include those on rotary indexing tables and turntable conveyors, long-stroke robot transfer units (RTUs), and an array of highly customized machinery. The outer diameter (OD) of the cam-follower bearing assembly is […]

Filed Under: ASRS, Featured, Integrated Linear Systems, Slides + guides (all), Track roller (cam + wheel) guides Tagged With: gudel, IKO, intech

Linear “lineup” impressive for Robotic Summit in June: Attend for technology insights

May 15, 2019 By Lisa Eitel Leave a Comment

Robots aren’t all humanoid and SCARA; some take the form of linear-motion arrangements. In fact, we’ve covered how Cartesian arrangements in particular offer better energy efficiency and price points than more stereotypical robotic arrangements. You’ll get copious amount of information on such linear designs and technologies at the 2019 Robotics Summit (on commercial-robotics design, development, […]

Filed Under: ASRS, Featured, Industry news, Integrated Linear Systems, Linear drives (all), Slides + guides (all), Stages + gantries Tagged With: macrondynamics, SICK, THK

Cannabis cultivation leverages modular automation stations

March 23, 2019 By Lisa Eitel Leave a Comment

By Michael G. Giunta • National sales manager | Macron Dynamics Uninitiated laymen might assume today’s cannabis is grown through traditional farming — over horizontal outdoor spaces in natural environments managed by Mother Nature. But large-scale cannabis farming is typically indoors and highly automated. That’s for a couple reasons: • Security is a major concern […]

Filed Under: Applications, ASRS, Featured, Integrated Linear Systems

How to manage backpressure from accumulation

December 14, 2017 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

Zero Pressure Accumulation

Accumulation conveyors provide buffer zones in material handling systems to manage product flow, which is especially important when there is an imbalance between upstream and downstream capacity. But accumulation often results in backpressure, which can damage products or cause downstream operational problems.  Common drawbacks of product accumulation Traditional conveying systems experience backpressure during product accumulation […]

Filed Under: Applications, ASRS, Featured, Integrated Linear Systems

Simple support structure improves warehouse packaging efficiency

December 12, 2017 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

Rollon Compact Rail

An improvement in packaging efficiency required attention to ergonomics, ease of assembly, and cost efficiency.  Automation is changing how traditional distribution centers operate as companies search for new ways to maximize their efficiency, increase order accuracy and fulfill customer demand. When it comes to automated technology, most people tend to think about robots, automated guide […]

Filed Under: Applications, ASRS, Featured, Integrated Linear Systems

Linear motion for robotic handling in automated warehouses

August 22, 2017 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

Automated warehouses

When designing and configuring an automated warehouse, one design goal is to keep the system as light and compact as possible. Depending on the size of the load being moved, there are two common types of automated warehouses. In lighter applications, aluminum structures can handle loads up to 100 kilograms, while steel structures are good […]

Filed Under: ASRS, Ball + roller guides, Featured Tagged With: rollon

Motion and control objectives for automated storage and retrieval systems

August 21, 2017 By Danielle Collins 1 Comment

Automated storage and retrieval

Automated storage and retrieval systems are a key enabler of the next-day delivery we’ve come to expect from online retailers. But like other types of automation, AS/RS equipment must meet the customer’s objectives for safety, footprint, and energy efficiency. It used to be that as you drove through industrial suburbs, just beyond cities such as […]

Filed Under: Applications, ASRS, Featured Tagged With: bishop wisecarver, bodine electric, igus, intelligrated, oriental motor, quicksilver controls, rollon, schneider electric, ssi schaefer

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