Belt drives are a mainstay in power-transmission design. In these setups, a reinforced belt wraps around and engages a motor-driven sprocket (or pulley) to transmit translational or rotational motion. Especially in setups where belts and sprockets drive linear axes, repeatability and positioning accuracy are better than ever, thanks to engineered guides and innovations in integration. What’s […]
Picking the right accumulation chain for conveying
by Gerhard Hartinger, Key Account Manager, iwis Drive Systems For logistics and material-handling applications, chain engineered for accumulating discrete pieces of product is efficient and durable. Accumulation chains convey, collect and separate discrete components. The chains work off electric motors that engage and drive parallel conveyor trains (sometimes called chain strands) on the conveyor edges. […]
What are the main types of linear actuators?
Updated August 2017 || Linear actuators come in myriad configurations to suit almost any application, environment or industry. They’re primarily categorized by their drive mechanism; then manufacturers use other features such as the type of guide and housing to further differentiate them. Below is an explanation of the most common linear actuator categories. Belt-driven and […]
Tips for selecting pre-engineered Cartesian robots
Cartesian robots operate in two or three axes along the Cartesian coordinate system of X, Y, and Z. While SCARA and 6-axis robots are more widely recognized, Cartesian systems can be found in nearly every industrial application imaginable, from semiconductor manufacturing to woodworking equipment. And it’s no surprise that Cartesians are so widely deployed. They’re […]
Linear actuators: Pneumatic or electric?
Updated May 2018 || Electrons or air molecules? That’s not a question you hear very often, but it’s one that engineers and designers wrestle with when developing a new machine or process. That’s because a wide range of linear actuators, especially rod-type versions, are available either electrically driven or pneumatically driven. The choice of which […]
Transmitting torque with keyed shafts
Power transmission between two rotating components requires a secure connection between the shaft of the driving component, and the hub of the mating part. One way to ensure torque transmission without slipping is by using a keyed connection. For most automation applications (motors, gearboxes, pulleys, etc.), a parallel key, also known as a straight key, with […]
Five things to consider in vertical applications
Mounting orientation is one of the core considerations when sizing and selecting a linear actuator. Depending on the type of linear guides used, some actuators can support higher downward or lift-off loads than side loads, or can handle pitch and yaw moments better than roll moments—all important factors when evaluating an actuator for vertical duty. […]
Parker announces North American production of high moment rodless linear actuator series
Now manufactured in the USA, the HMR attains greatly improved lead times and new customization options. Parker’s Electromechanical Automation Division, a leading supplier of motion control technology, is pleased to announce the domestic manufacturing for the complete line of High Moment Rodless (HMR) electromechanical linear actuators. “This move will serve to greatly improve product lead times […]
A selection guide for linear systems
Gone are the days when machine designers and builders had to choose between constructing their own linear system from scratch or settling for a limited range of pre-assembled systems that, in most cases, were an imperfect fit for their application. Manufacturers today offer systems based on a range of drive mechanisms—ball screws, belts, rack and pinions, linear motors, […]
New video shows the benefits of prism guided linear units in wash-down applications
Thomson Industries, Inc., a leading manufacturer of mechanical motion control solutions, has released a new video to showcase the benefits of its prism guided linear units for wash-down applications. Kyle Thompson, Global Product Line Manager, Systems at Thomson, explains in the video, “The M75 Movopart belt-driven, prism guided linear unit is ideally suited to applications […]
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