In the U.S., about 50 million people a day eat at fast-food restaurants — and about 60,000 of those establishments sell hamburgers. That requires epic volumes of fresh buns every day … and only commercial bakeries with automated operations can output sufficient production volumes. Workhorse Automation Inc. (based in Oxford, Pa.) supplies machines to this […]
Why use linear guides and ball screws with ball chains?
One of the differences between radial ball bearings and recirculating ball linear guides has historically been that radial bearings typically use a cage to separate the balls and control their movement, whereas profiled rail guides did not. But in the early 2000’s, manufacturers of profiled rail bearings began introducing versions with ball cages (also referred […]
New rack and pinion systems available from GAM Enterprises
GAM now offers new helical rack and pinion systems. High quality rack and precision pinions are paired with GAM gearboxes for optimized system performance. Helical rack provides smooth, quiet operation and precision operation. The rack is available in 1-meter lengths in module 2, 3, or 4 and ISO quality 6 or 10. Precision pinions in […]
igus unveils new quick-fill energy chain
The new E4Q energy chain from igus can be opened and closed in seconds without tools and has been specifically developed for the special requirements of unsupported lengths and long travels. igus, the Germany-based manufacturer of motion plastics, unveiled a prototype of the new E4Q in April at Hannover Messe. The chain links have a […]
Linear “lineup” impressive for Robotic Summit in June: Attend for technology insights
Robots aren’t all humanoid and SCARA; some take the form of linear-motion arrangements. In fact, we’ve covered how Cartesian arrangements in particular offer better energy efficiency and price points than more stereotypical robotic arrangements. You’ll get copious amount of information on such linear designs and technologies at the 2019 Robotics Summit (on commercial-robotics design, development, […]
What are planar errors and how do they affect the accuracy of a linear motion system?
In an ideal world, a linear motion system would exhibit perfectly flat, straight motion and reach the intended position with zero error every time. But even the highest precision linear guides and drives (screws, rack and pinions, belts, linear motors) have some errors due to machining tolerances, handling, mounting, and even the manner in which […]
How to measure synchronous (toothed) belt tension
Updated June 2019 || One of the benefits of synchronous belts is their ability to operate with lower tension than their V-belt counterparts. And once the proper tension is determined and applied, synchronous belts rarely need re-tensioning. But improper tension in a synchronous belt drive system — either too low or too high — can […]
When do synchronous belts need flanged pulleys?
Synchronous belts transmit power via positive engagement between profiled teeth on the belt and pulley. Although this tooth engagement (along with proper belt tension) prevents the belt from ratcheting, the belt is free to track, or move side-to-side, on the pulley. To prevent the belt from riding off the pulley, and to resist the lateral […]
Update on roller-screw actuator design and applications (with video and image galleries)
Roller screws are also called planetary roller screws or sometimes satellite roller screws for how their nut-encased rollers orbit the drive-shaft axis during operation. These mechanical rotary-to-linear devices work in an increasing number of electromechanical actuators. Satellite roller-screw geometry includes far more internal contact between load-bearing subcomponents than their ballscrew cousins, and that boosts rigidity […]
Mechanical properties of materials: Shafts in torsion
Power transmission shafts — on motors and gearboxes, for example — are subjected to torque loads that result in torsion, or twisting of the shaft about its axis. Similar to structures under tension or compression, two important mechanical properties of shafts under torque loads are shear stress and shear strain. Stress is a material’s resistance […]
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