Once you’ve gone through the process of sizing a lead screw, you know what diameter and lead will provide the required load capacity, speed, and back driving torque for the application. But there are hundreds — maybe thousands — of lead screw designs on the market. Beyond the basics of diameter and lead, how do you […]
Ball + leadscrew driven
New high load capacity BG actuator from NB
NB Corporation presents a compact, single axis actuator with a unique “U” shaped integrated slide guide and ball screw. The BG actuator’s highly rigid structure may be one-end supported, and the four ball circuits contained in its slide block deliver high load capacity, accuracy, and rigidity. To accommodate a wide range of installations and applications, these […]
Lead screw sizing in 4 steps
Lead screw sizing is a bit of a hybrid exercise, with similarities to the process of ball screw sizing, but incorporating some of the considerations that come with sizing a plain bearing. While many factors are involved in the selection of a specific lead screw assembly, lead screw sizing — choosing the right diameter and […]
Video: Schneider NEMA 14, 17, and 23 linear actuators (with external and non-captive screws)
In a recent video with our esteemed colleague Lee Teschler, we got to look at six linear actuators from Schneider Electric Motion — in NEMA sizes 14, 17, and 23. These linear actuators incorporate single-stack stepper motors to deliver long life and high accuracy and repeatability. The compact IP20 motors are 1.8° step-angle motors pre-integrated […]
PV Equation: How to calculate the PV value for a lead screw application
Lead screws rely on sliding friction between the nut and the screw to convert rotary motion into axial (thrust) force to move a load. Most lead screw designs use either a carbon steel screw with a bronze nut, or a stainless steel screw with a plastic nut. In either case, there are no recirculating balls […]
Does my system need high accuracy or repeatability (or both)?
Question: “I’m designing a new linear motion system. Should I design it for high accuracy or repeatability? Or both?” Before we answer this question, let’s define accuracy and repeatability for linear systems… Accuracy In linear motion, there are two generally categories of accuracy – positioning accuracy and travel accuracy. Positioning accuracy specifies the difference between […]
New high-performance miniature ball screws from SKF
The new SP Series high-performance miniature ball screws from SKF Motion Technologies have been optimized to deliver precise positioning, excellent repeatability, and smooth-running and quiet linear actuation. Their advanced internal ball recirculation system and thread design additionally enable higher speed capabilities and longer operating life compared with conventional rolled ball screws. These small packages ultimately […]
New integrated motor-actuators from Curtiss-Wright
Curtiss-Wright’s Sensors & Controls Division today announced the release of the fourth and final planned frame size of its next-generation Exlar® brand FTX Series actuators. These high-force, electric, rod-style actuators now offer higher performance and ease of maintenance than previously available. The FTX Series actuators are intended for use in high-force, high-duty cycle applications in […]
12 Volt DC linear actuator with 67 percent more output force
New 12V DC linear actuator widely applied in 4×4 vehicle and sport truck slide steps now available from stock in Minnesota USA. Midwest Motion Products of Howard Lake, Minnesota, is pleased to announce the release of a new DC linear actuator, the model MMP LA3-12V-5-A-SP-100. The actuator accepts any 12V DC input, including automotive battery […]
3DP leadscrew nut insert from Haydon Kerk boosts accuracy of 3D-printed prototypes
Now, a 3DP (3D-printed) leadscrew-nut insert prototype service from AMETEK Haydon Kerk gives machine builders a way to verify linear-motion design iterations quickly and more accurately. Engineers typically do not have access to 3D printers to do this prototyping. Instead, most of them contract with a third party to get quick turnaround on parts. With […]
