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 […]
Linear Actuator
Servo motor basics
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 […]
Linear actuators: Pneumatic or electric?
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 […]
Five things to consider in vertical applications
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. […]
Parker announces North American production of high moment rodless linear actuator series
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 […]
Linear encoders for motion applications
Whether a linear system uses servo or stepper motors, adding a linear encoder can improve the performance of the machine and the quality of the process. In servo applications, the motor’s rotary encoder monitors its speed and direction, but a linear encoder monitors the load’s actual position. When stepper motors are used, position monitoring is especially important, […]
A user’s guide to sensors and switches
Users have an array of choices when it comes to choosing sensors for electromechanical actuators. Some actuator manufactures offer one or two varieties of sensors as standard options, depending on the construction of the actuator and its most common uses, while others leave the selection entirely to the user. Whether you’re choosing among the options […]
New economical linear slide from PHD
Built on the foundation of long-life products for industrial automation, PHD Optimax actuators are designed to meet machine builders’ performance requirements at a competitive prices. These economical, efficient, and reliable actuators provide an alternative choice to PHD’s standard “built-to-order” product line, delivering even more cost-effective solutions to meet industrial application needs. In a continuing effort […]
Nook Industries Introduces Modular Actuator Calculator
Nook Industries, a leading innovator of linear motion components and systems, has introduced an engineering calculator for modular actuators—one of the only of its kind in existence. The calculator works by simply choosing the desired product, entering its load definitions and allowing the tool to calculate the bearing stress and load to determine the bearing […]
A selection guide for linear systems
Gone are the days when machine designers and builders had to choose between constructing their own linear system from scratch or settling for a limited range of pre-assembled systems that, in most cases, were an imperfect fit for their application. Manufacturers today offer systems based on a range of drive mechanisms—ball screws, belts, rack and pinions, linear motors, […]
