PI (Physik Instrumente) has released a new 250-page catalog on precision mechatronic actuators and nanopositioning systems based on piezo drive technology and frictionless flexure guiding systems. Products covered in this catalog use PI’s in-house designed and manufactured Mars Rover-tested piezo ceramic actuators as their drive principle. A special form of electro-ceramics, piezo actuators deliver a […]
Mini + piezo + voice coil
What is a hollow core linear voice coil motor?
A linear voice coil motor (also referred to as a “voice coil actuator” or “linear DC motor”) is a simple yet very precise type of electric motor, consisting of just two primary parts – a coil and a magnet. When current is applied to the coil, a force is generated. The magnitude of the force […]
SMAC Moving Coil Actuators announces IP-rated products
SMAC Moving Coil Actuators has revealed the details for their dustproof and waterproof, IP65/IP67 product line. SMAC’s IP-rated products include the CBL35/CBL35C series electric cylinder, the CBL50/CBL50C series electric cylinder, the LAL95 series linear actuator, and the LCA50 series linear actuator. All dustproof and waterproof SMAC moving coil actuators include the ability to do work […]
What’s the difference between a piezo actuator and a piezo motor?
In the context of motion control, the term “motor” generally refers to a single electromechanical device that produces rotary or linear motion to drive a system, while the term “actuator” typically refers to an integrated mechanical system that is driven by a motor. But in the context of piezo drives, the term “actuator” refers to […]
High-speed linear actuators: What qualifies them as high speed?
Like many terms used in the linear motion industry, such as “heavy duty,” “miniature,” and “corrosion-resistant,” to name a few, there is no industry standard that specifies what constitutes a “high-speed” linear actuator. Nevertheless, there are some general guidelines that manufacturers follow when classifying and marketing their actuators as high speed. These guidelines are typically […]
When are voice coil actuators the best linear motion option?
Voice coil actuators are most commonly used for micro- or nano-positioning applications, with strokes from 10 nm up to 100 mm. In addition to very precise positioning capabilities, voice coil actuators provide extremely smooth movement. They’re often paired with air bearings, crossed-roller guides, or linear shafts and round bearings to provide assemblies that are backlash-free. […]
Power of V8 … and nanometer precision positioning in PI’s new piezo linear motor
Motion control and piezo systems expert PI (Physik Instrumente) introduces a new robust OEM walking motor drive, the N-331, with its configuration rooted in existing patented piezo actuator technology and a patented piezo stepping motion principle design. Based on the application of historically successful technology, the new design it is suitable for use in high-end […]
Sensata’s new linear voice coil actuator for ultra-small motion designs in medical devices
Medical devices are often smaller and lighter in weight than the majority of applications that require some type of motion control, simply because they are often portable/mobile, hand-carried or lifted. Internal components needed for these devices are chosen carefully to make for the smallest overall device footprint. This poses unique challenges to component manufacturers supplying […]
Voice-coil positioning stage from H2W Technologies has dual feedback
The VCS20-020-CR-01-MC-F3K voice coil positioning stage has dual feedback capability. It can operate either under closed loop position control with force monitoring or closed loop force control with position monitoring. It uses H2W voice coil motor NCC20-18-020-1A to generate a continuous and peak force of 2.0 lb and 6.0 lb respectively — with total stroke length […]
Actuators with haptic feedback: Ultra-thin PiezoHapt actuator with low driving voltage
TDK now sells a new haptic component — a new ultra-thin PiezoHapt actuator featuring a short response time of just 4 msec. PiezoHapt has a unimorph design consisting of a multilayer piezo element bonded to one side of a vibration plate. With a thickness of a mere 0.35 mm the new haptic actuator is much thinner than conventional eccentric […]
