This is the first of several technical notes on the technology known as moving coil actuators. Here we provide a brief history of linear actuators used in automation — and hint at where moving coil actuators are suitable. By Ed Neff • President | SMAC Moving Coil Actuators (MCA) Hydraulic actuators came first. These devices […]
Mini + piezo + voice coil
What are walking piezo motors?
Piezo motors that produce linear motion include linear ultrasonic piezo motors, linear stepper piezo motors, and piezo inertia motors. Although their construction and principles of operation are different, all three designs harness the inverse piezoelectric effect — in which a piezo material expands or contracts when electrical energy is applied — to produce linear movement in a […]
Compact voice-coil motors from Moticont with 1.0-in. diameters for myriad stroke requirements
Moticont now sells linear voice coil motors (LVCMs) in two 1-in. (25.4-mm) diameter motors. • The LVCM-025-022-01 has a stroke length of 0.375 in. (9.5 mm) a mid-stroke length of 1.30 in. (33 mm) and a high-force-to-size ratio of 16.9 oz (4.7 N) and a peak force of 53.5 oz. (14.9 N) at 10% duty […]
New SMAC LBL25 linear actuators — fast, cost-competitive, and stackable
SMAC Moving Coil Actuators now sells LBL series linear actuators — price competitive with ball screw and high-cycle-rate air cylinders thanks to a simple no-milling plate design. The LBL design features flat printed coil and single-piece, screw down magnets. It’s equipped with SMAC proprietary encoder and gives more than 100 million cycle expected life. Starting […]
160-page catalog on piezo motor solutions from PI
PI’s new comprehensive piezo motor solutions catalog covers a large number of linear, rotary, and multi-axis motion systems based on a variety of piezo motor types along with their appropriate controllers and drivers. Piezo motors have excellent dynamic properties, such as high acceleration and fast start/stop behavior, along with nanometer precision and stability. In contrast […]
What’s the difference between serial kinematics and parallel kinematics in multi-axis motion design?
Today’s positioning tables and stages include hardware and software that’s more customized than ever to satisfy specific output requirements. That’s made for motion designs that move accurately through even complicated multi-axis commands. Precision feedback is key to such functionality — often taking the form of optical or (electronics-augmented) magnetic encoders for nanometer-scale resolution and repeatability […]
Voice coil motor features internal shaft and bearing, high force-to-size ratio
Moticont’s new GVCM-051-089-05S06 linear voice coil motor features high speed, high acceleration/deceleration, zero backlash, high accuracy, high repeatability, and an internal shaft and bearing. This compact, voice coil motor has a high force-to-size ratio with 5.5 lb (24.6 N) continuous force and 17.5 lb (77.7 N) of peak force with a housing measuring just 2.000 […]
Shape-memory alloys linear actuators: A new option for positioning
Now, one new actuator uses bundles of SMA wire made of specialty nickel-titanium alloy for reliable linear motion. Dean Pick, P.Eng. • President | Kinitics Automation Shape-memory alloys (SMAs) are those materials that respond to temperature changes by changing form factor. Originally funded by the U.S. Navy, SMA technologies were first commercialized by Raychem Corp. […]
High-torque rotary voice coil actuators from H2W
H2W Technologies has developed several high-torque rotary voice coil actuators, otherwise known as a limited angle torque motors or LATs. The model TWR-015-346-2RC was designed to allow for a low moving mass (68 g per coil) and inertia, as well as dual independent coils to allow for two independent motion profiles or couple the coils […]
Linear motion applications for piezo actuators and piezo motors
Piezo actuators and motors are often the preferred technology when an application requires movements of a few millimeters or less with high resolution. And while these small-scale applications don’t typically attract the same level of attention as those that require massive 100 mm diameter ball screws or enormous 12-meter gantries, applications in the single- and […]
