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Linear Motion Tips

Covering Linear Motion Systems, Components and Linear Motion Resources

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Linear Actuator

Moment of inertia: area or mass?

May 6, 2016 By Danielle Collins 3 Comments

Moment of inertia is an important parameter when sizing and selecting a linear system. But it’s critical to know which type of inertia—planar moment of inertia or mass moment of inertia—is given and how it affects the performance of the system. Planar moment of inertia Planar moment of inertia (also referred to as second moment of […]

Filed Under: Applications, Linear actuators (all), Linear drives (all) Tagged With: inertia, Linear Actuator, linear bearing, linear drive

Three easy ways to reduce maintenance costs for linear systems

March 28, 2016 By Danielle Collins 1 Comment

maintenance

If you’ve read many articles on this site, you probably recall that inadequate lubrication can cause bearing failure. But while lubrication is the most important maintenance factor in linear bearing life, there are other things that users can do to reduce maintenance costs and ensure they get the most life from a linear bearing, ball screw, or […]

Filed Under: Applications, Linear actuators (all), Linear drives (all), Slides + guides (all) Tagged With: Ball Screw, lead screw, Linear Actuator, linear guide, lubrication, maintenance

What are the main types of linear actuators?

March 3, 2016 By Danielle Collins 2 Comments

Updated August 2017 || Linear actuators come in myriad configurations to suit almost any application, environment or industry. They’re primarily categorized by their drive mechanism; then manufacturers use other features such as the type of guide and housing to further differentiate them. Below is an explanation of the most common linear actuator categories. Belt-driven and […]

Filed Under: Ball + leadscrew driven, Belt + chain driven, Linear actuators (all), Linear motors, Pneumatic cylinders, Rack + pinion driven, Stages + gantries Tagged With: actuator selection, ball screw actuator, Belt Drive, Linear Actuator, Linear Motor, pneumatic actuator, rack and pinion

Moog Animatics expands actuator line

February 19, 2016 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

Moog Animatics, a division of Moog Inc., has announced the release of three new high-performance models to its actuator product line. These fully integrated actuators bring SmartMotor™ capabilities (ease of use, compactness and speed to market) to today’s actuator applications. They are designed for precise motion, long life and minimal maintenance. Typical applications include material […]

Filed Under: Ball + leadscrew driven, Industry news, Linear actuators (all) Tagged With: animatics, cartesian, gantry, Linear Actuator, rotary actuator

Warner Linear debuts electric actuator video series

February 18, 2016 By Miles Budimir Leave a Comment

A series of informative Warner Linear electric actuator videos has been produced to clearly show proper installation steps, troubleshooting, and maintenance tips for various actuator models. Topics include limit switch adjustment, basic selection guidelines, and best practices for mounting. The short how-to videos can be viewed on the Warner Linear website at www.warnerlinear.com or on […]

Filed Under: Linear actuators (all) Tagged With: Linear Actuator

New Thomson Electrak HD Linear Actuators

February 11, 2016 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

Thomson Industries, Inc., a leading manufacturer of mechanical motion control solutions, has developed an entirely new platform of electric linear actuators which enable design engineers to convert a wider range of hydraulic applications to electric and substantially improve application control. The new Electrak HD™ electric linear actuator offers a new level of electronic functionality with […]

Filed Under: Ball + leadscrew driven, Industry news, Linear actuators (all) Tagged With: electric actuator, Linear Actuator, thomson

Servo motor basics

January 20, 2016 By Danielle Collins 7 Comments

Servo Motor

Technically, the term “servo” refers to a function rather than a specific type of device. A servo system is one in which the system’s error (in positioning, speed, or torque) is corrected through feedback that compares the system’s actual performance with its commanded performance. A servo motor, then, is one that incorporates a feedback device […]

Filed Under: Linear actuators (all), Linear drives (all), Linear motors Tagged With: AC motor, DC motor, Linear Actuator, linear drive, servo motor

Linear actuators: Pneumatic or electric?

November 20, 2015 By Danielle Collins 1 Comment

Updated May 2018 || Electrons or air molecules? That’s not a question you hear very often, but it’s one that engineers and designers wrestle with when developing a new machine or process. That’s because a wide range of linear actuators, especially rod-type versions, are available either electrically driven or pneumatically driven. The choice of which […]

Filed Under: Ball + leadscrew driven, Belt + chain driven, Linear actuators (all), Pneumatic cylinders Tagged With: electric actuator, Linear Actuator, pneumatic actuator

Five things to consider in vertical applications

November 7, 2015 By Danielle Collins 4 Comments

Mounting orientation is one of the core considerations when sizing and selecting a linear actuator. Depending on the type of linear guides used, some actuators can support higher downward or lift-off loads than side loads, or can handle pitch and yaw moments better than roll moments—all important factors when evaluating an actuator for vertical duty. […]

Filed Under: Applications, Ball + leadscrew driven, Belt + chain driven, Linear actuators (all), Rack + pinion driven Tagged With: Linear Actuator, lubrication, vertical application

Parker announces North American production of high moment rodless linear actuator series

October 22, 2015 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

Linear Actuator

Now manufactured in the USA, the HMR attains greatly improved lead times and new customization options. Parker’s Electromechanical Automation Division, a leading supplier of motion control technology, is pleased to announce the domestic manufacturing for the complete line of High Moment Rodless (HMR) electromechanical linear actuators. “This move will serve to greatly improve product lead times […]

Filed Under: Ball + leadscrew driven, Belt + chain driven, Industry news, Linear actuators (all) Tagged With: Actuators, Linear Actuator, linear motion, Linear Slides, parker

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