Gears, and in particular, gearboxes, are common in linear motion applications, providing speed reduction and torque multiplication for systems driven by belt and pulley or chain and sprocket assemblies. The diversity of gear types and materials available for industrial applications makes it important (albeit somewhat challenging) for designers and users of linear motion systems to […]
Linear Actuators Archive
Get the latest product news, technical info, and FAQs about linear actuators.
High-power 35DBM can-stack linear actuator from Portescap
Portescap now sells 35DBM high-power stepper can-stack linear actuators. These 35-mm linear stepper motors offer an enhanced design suitable for applications demanding high linear force. The new 35DBM features an optimized magnetic circuit powered by high energy neodymium magnets. The 7.5 deg step angle provides finer incremental movement with a high degree of accuracy and […]
What is cogging in linear motors?
Linear motors are generally classified by the construction of the motor’s primary part: ironless or iron core. In an ironless linear motor, the windings of the primary are embedded in an epoxy resin, whereas the windings of an iron core linear motor are mounted in an iron lamination stack. The lamination contains teeth, or protrusions, […]
AMK SPINDASYN SEZ linear drive motor — rotor is integrated with screw
The new SPINDASYN SEZ electric cylinder from AMK Automation is a ready-to-install linear drive motor system in which the rotor is pressed directly onto the screw. Featuring high and constant force, high precision and position accuracy and high energy efficiency, the closed-loop positioning and force control of the SEZ make it an suitable alternative to […]
Linear-actuator application example: New angle on wheelchair vehicle accessibility
Kneeling systems have become widespread on custom wheelchair-accessible vehicles from BraunAbility and other accessible-vehicle converters. Here linear actuators lower vehicles’ rear suspension to reduce the incline angle of wheelchair ramps for easier access. Because the actuators typically mount under the vehicle chassis, they must be rugged. “Our vehicles typically kneel 2.5 to 3 in. We […]
Synchronous belt failures: Six ways they can occur
Synchronous belts can transmit high torque without the potential for slip, due to positive engagement between the teeth of the belt and the grooves of the pulley. But the performance of synchronous belt drive systems can be affected by installation errors, unexpected application conditions, or the use of components that aren’t suitable for the operating […]
Pulley balancing for belt drive systems: Is it always necessary?
As a pulley rotates, centrifugal forces act on the pulley, and if its mass is not evenly distributed around the axis of rotation – that is, if it is unbalanced – these centrifugal forces will also be unbalanced and cause the pulley to vibrate. (Uneven mass distribution can be due to imperfections in machining or […]
Gen 2 linear slide actuators from AutomationDirect
AutomationDirect has added second generation (Gen 2) linear motion slide actuators to its SureMotion line of motion control products. The SureMotion lineup includes both motor-ready actuator assemblies and an assortment of sliding components and accessories to provide a wide variety of motion control solutions for X-Y and X-Y-Z positioning systems. The new Gen 2 Compact […]
Roller pinion system in corrosion-resistant stainless steel from Nexen
Nexen Group, Inc. introduces a stainless steel version of its patented precision roller pinion system (RPS). The Nexen RPS engages two teeth simultaneously to achieve superior accuracy with zero backlash at any length. The system is also extremely quiet, and 99 % efficient. Stainless steel makes the system extremely corrosion resistant, with a long life […]
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 […]