Power transmission in linear motion designs is often through rotary-to-linear devices, chain, or belt drives. The earliest belt iteration — and one that’s still economical today — is the friction-based V-belt design. These pair a belt with a pulley (often on an electric motor’s geared output shaft) to provide reliable operation in myriad end-user and […]
Belt + chain drives for linear
Intelligrated automated palletizing for citrus packer a Top Supply Chain Project for 2017
Intelligrated — a North American-based automated material-handling provider — was recently listed on Supply & Demand Chain Executive’s 100 great supply chain projects for its Bee Sweet Citrus design work. Bee Sweet Citrus is an independent packer and shipper of California citrus to serve a market that stretches from Europe to Australia. Faced with rising […]
What is Torque?
In this article, we answer the common question “what is torque?” Although torque refers to rotational motion, it is a fundamental concept in linear motion applications. Rotary motors produce torque, and when this torque is transmitted to a drive system – such as a screw, belt and pulley, rack and pinion, or chain and sprocket […]
Next-generation synchronous power-transmission belt — Gates Poly Chain ADV
Gates Corp. now sells new Poly Chain ADV, its next-generation synchronous power-transmission belt, the strongest, most durable product of its kind. Poly Chain ADV is manufactured using cutting-edge carbon fiber technology and proprietary tooth jacket material. Combined with Gates’ engineering expertise and advanced manufacturing techniques, these improvements enable narrower and more durable synchronous power transmission […]
Belting Association (NIBA) and Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) — Joint Industry Summit September 27 to 30
Planning is well under way for the NIBA/PTDA Joint Industry Summit, September 27-30, 2017, at The Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Florida, for top executives and those who aspire to leadership among distributors and manufacturers in the belting and power transmission/motion control industries. The one-time, combined meeting presents an opportunity for cross-channel/cross-industry networking and collaboration […]
mk North America launches two new modular plastic belt conveyors
mk North America, an industry leader in the design and manufacture of industrial conveyor solutions, is announcing the launch of two new modular plastic belt conveyor systems, the KMF-P 2040 and KFM-P 2040. Designed to complement a variety of industrial applications with the utmost flexibility and functionality, these systems are made with mk’s patented aluminum extrusion […]
Linear actuators: belt driven vs. rack and pinion driven
Belts and rack and pinions have several common benefits for linear motion applications. They’re both well-established drive mechanisms in linear actuators, providing high-speed travel over extremely long lengths. And both are frequently used in large gantry systems for material handling, machining, welding and assembly, especially in the automotive, machine tool, and packaging industries. Timing belts for linear […]
Intelligrated expands sortation portfolio (with vertical conveyors, tote stacking and more)
Today’s automated operations require flexibility and simplicity to accommodate multiple product and packaging types, fit shrinking layout requirements and scale with growing demand. Intelligrated now offers more from its sortation portfolio with solutions designed for these challenges. USS vertical conveyor and sortation, tote stacking and destacking, buffering and sweeper sorter systems offer simple solutions engineered to fit […]
A conveyor for every need
New designs and innovative conveyor technologies such as electroadhesion are giving design engineers new options to solve material handling challenges. By Stacy Johnson | Dorner Mfg. Corp. Walk through any modern-day assembly and packaging facility and the conveyor systems may well resemble roller coasters at an amusement park – going up steep inclines, down drops, twisting […]
Variable frequency drives for linear motion applications
Although many of us focus on either the mechanical or the electrical aspects of a motion system, it’s important to have a basic understanding of both. Case in point: engineers, designers, and users who are involved with linear drives and actuators typically have some familiarity with servo and stepper technology. Similarly, for those involved in […]
