Designers and engineers typically try to avoid or mitigate friction in linear motion systems. Although friction isn’t always bad — in some applications, it can provide a damping effect and help improve servo tuning — when it comes to linear motion systems, it increases the amount of force required to move a load, creates heat, […]
Linear Actuators Archive
Get the latest product news, technical info, and FAQs about linear actuators.
New sense-and-control actuator model added to Curtiss-Wright Smart Actuator series
Curtiss-Wright’s Actuation Division announced the release of its newest motor/actuators with integral controls, the Exlar SA-R080 rotary and SA-L080 linear actuator. The SA-080 is the first frame size (80 mm) in the harsh environment control and sense family of industrial electromechanical actuators from Curtiss-Wright. The SA series actuators offer force, precision, energy efficiency, and control […]
How does hysteresis affect piezo actuator performance?
Piezo actuators operate on the principle that application of an electric field (voltage) induces strain (displacement) in the material — a phenomenon known as the inverse piezoelectric effect. But if you plot the strain versus the electric field of a piezo material, you’ll see that the strain doesn’t follow the same path when the field […]
Single-axis linear stepper stages with integrated encoder and electronics package
H2W now offers a revolutionary series of single-axis linear stepper stages that integrates a linear encoder into the stage to operate the linear stepper motor as a 2-phase brushless motor when coupled with an advanced motion control electronics package provided by H2W. When operated this way, the motors will tend to run cooler, as they […]
Integrated connector now available for AMETEK Haydon Kerk Pittman’s hybrid actuators
As a world leader in compact linear motion systems, Haydon Kerk Pittman, a business unit of AMETEK’s Advanced Motion Solutions Division, is pleased to announce its size 8 21mm hybrid stepper motor is now available with an integrated connector. Offered alone or with a harness assembly, the connector is RoHS-compliant and features a positive latch […]
Application-based tool from Thomson optimizes online ball-screw sizing and selection
Thomson Industries, Inc. has launched an online ball screw sizing and selection tool to give motion designers fast, intuitive and precisely calculated ball screw solutions for their linear motion designs. The Linear Motioneering tool not only simplifies and streamlines the sizing and selection process, it also provides the designer more direct, self-serve access to decades […]
How to account for belt and pulley inertia during system design
In order for a motor to accelerate or decelerate a load, it must overcome the load’s inertia, or resistance to change in motion, as explained in Newton’s First Law. In belt-driven linear motion systems, the motor has to overcome not only the inertia of the applied load, but also the inertia of the belt, pulleys, […]
Rollon acquires iMS, expanding lineup of linear actuator modules, robotic transfer units for heavy payloads
Rollon, a leading manufacturer of linear motion guides, actuators and systems, has acquired Intelligent Machine Solutions, Inc. (iMS), a Michigan-based designer and manufacturer of standard and custom machinery for the automation industry. With this acquisition, Rollon is expanding its lineup of linear actuator modules and robotic transport units (RTUs), allowing for static loads of over […]
Low inertia, high precision linear voice coil stages from Moticont
Moticont has introduced two high performance linear DC motor driven stages. The VCDS-051-032-01-B1-30 (pictured) and the VCDS-051-032-01-F1-30 linear voice coil stages feature high speed, high acceleration/deceleration, zero backlash, smooth motion, precise positioning of 30 microns, high reliability and low cost. These non-commutated stages are clean room friendly, quiet, and available off-the-shelf. With a 0.97 in. […]
BRECOflex launches new BRECOroll timing belt
BRECOflex CO. is launching a new timing belt. It’s the company’s most innovative timing belt to hit the market since its move-series in 2014. It’s called BRECOroll. Typically, toothed timing belts used for material handling tasks are very long. The belt’s load side usually lies in a support rail which causes friction. BRECOroll provides the […]