Ball and lead screw assemblies are often driven by a motor connected in-line with the screw shaft via a coupling. While this mounting arrangement is simple and easy to service, the addition of a non-rigid mechanical component (the coupling) can introduce windup, backlash, and hysteresis — all of which affect positioning accuracy and repeatability. The […]
Linear Actuators Archive
Get the latest product news, technical info, and FAQs about linear actuators.
Electric actuators help reconfigure rooms in futuristic flexible residential construction
Traditional residential construction is fraught with inherent inefficiencies. For example, bedrooms are infrequently used during the day, while living rooms are unoccupied overnight. At a time when real estate prices are climbing (especially in urban areas) the desire for single-purpose rooms inflates prices. Plus energy consumption is rising in many parts of the world … […]
New 3-axis linear voice coil actuator stage from Moticont
Moticont has released a new three-axis XYZ linear actuator, the XYZ-10. The X and Y axis of the actuator each has 0.97 in. (24.6 mm) of travel and the Z axis has a stroke of 0.500 in. (12.7 mm). The high-speed, high-acceleration, zero-cogging, brushless voice coil motors provide 6.3 lb (28.2 N) of force and […]
What’s the best timing belt tooth profile for high-speed applications?
Synchronous belts (also referred to as timing belts) are used in a wide range of power transmission and transport applications that require good positioning accuracy. Tensile cords molded into the belt material help eliminate or minimize belt stretch, and positive engagement between the teeth of the belt and the pulley make synchronous belts less likely […]
Review of linear actuation complemented by guide wheels
Linear bearings based on steel guide wheels often complement motor-based linear actuation in two challenging application types: Long-stroke linear-motion axes as those driven by belts, linear motors, or rack-and-pinion sets Linear systems in harsh environments subject to hot and humid conditions, abrasive materials, extreme loading, and corrosive chemicals. Recall that wheel-based linear guides are systems […]
Mechanical properties of materials: stiffness and deflection
In a previous post, we looked at the stress-strain curve and its relationship to various aspects of material strength — tensile strength, yield strength, and fracture strength, for example. And while we often think of materials and structures in terms of strength, technically, “strength” is a measure of how much force a material can withstand […]
New IoT-ready electro-mechanical actuators from Ewellix
Ewellix, formerly SKF Motion Technologies, has developed new actuators which deliver forces up to 82 kN and speeds of 1 m/sec, to provide real-time, accurate information that improves machine productivity. With the newly designed Ewellix actuators, production line upgrades are now possible without major modification of existing machine layouts. The new CASM-100 and LEMC actuators […]
What causes synchronous belt noise and how can it be reduced?
Synchronous belts are common in motion systems, providing smoother operation and better high-speed performance than chains and lacking the problems of slipping and stretching that can plague V-belts in precision applications. But one downfall of synchronous, or toothed, belts is the noise they produce. Although quieter than a chain drive, a synchronous belt can still generate noise […]
How to size a rack-and-pinion system for a precision motion axis
In a previous motion-sizing article, we reviewed how to properly specify a ballscrew-driven motion axis. Here we review how engineering teams can use a similar approach for sizing rack-and-pinion-based servomotor-driven axes on the same five-axis gantry. We’ll use manufacturer software to work through the application. By Sixto Moralez • Regional motion engineer | Yaskawa America […]
How can lead screw backlash be reduced?
Backlash is an inherent property of lead screw assemblies due to the sliding motion between the screw and the nut. For some applications, a certain amount of backlash, or “play,” can be tolerated, but applications such as positioning, dispensing, or assembly often require a level of precision and repeatability that can’t be achieved if backlash […]
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