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What is curvilinear motion and when is it used?
In single-axis motion systems, travel is typically either linear (in a straight line) or rotary (in a partial or complete circle). But some applications call for a system that combines straight...
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Ball nut preload: What effect does it have on bearing life?
Preload reduces axial play, or backlash, caused by clearance between the balls and raceways.Image credit: NOOK Ball nut preload offers several benefits to screw assemblies, but the most common reason...
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When to use linear bearings and ball nuts with ceramic balls
The most common material for the load-bearing balls in recirculating ball bearings and ball screws is bearing steel. The use of steel balls on steel raceways is a proven, low-cost solution that yields...
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Why are cages used in crossed roller guides?
Crossed roller guides are non-recirculating linear bearings whose rollers are oriented in a “crisscross” pattern (each roller is turned 90 degrees relative to the one next to it) and move between two...
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New hygienic integrated electric actuators for food/beverage processing from...
Tolomatic IMA-S integrated electric servo actuators are designed to hygienic standards for eliminating harborage points and preventing bacterial growth. The 316 stainless-steel construction provides...
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What are needle roller linear bearings?
You might be familiar with rotary needle roller bearings (often referred to as simply “needle roller bearings”), which are used extensively in automotive and industrial power transmission applications...
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THK roller LM guide type HRX for myriad applications and harsh environments
A new Roller LM Guide Type HRX from THK America Inc. meets the demands of myriad applications and environments. The Type HRX boasts a duplex face-to-face structure (DF Structure) and a full roller...
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New Thomson video shows customer’s use of electric actuator synchronization...
Thomson Industries, Inc., a leading manufacturer of linear motion control solutions, has released a video showing how the synchronization feature available with its Electrak HD electromechanical linear...
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What is a follower nut, and what role does it play in lead screw operation?
Although the idea of a “follower nut” may seem to indicate that the nut serves a passive role in lead screw operation, it actually plays an important part in monitoring the condition and life of the...
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Linear motion systems: Only as strong as weakest link
Demands placed on linear systems in today’s automation are greater than ever — and continue to increase. Here we review five links in the chain of design elements so critical to precision operation. By...
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SMAC actuators satisfy existing OEM form-fit-function requirements
SMAC now sells voice coil actuators that include differential features to satisfy OEM requirements … actuators that allow drop-in replacement of existing motion technologies having the same form, fit,...
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What types of motion can you create with multi-axis linear systems?
For many tasks, multi-axis linear systems — Cartesian robots, X-Y tables, and gantry systems — travel in straight lines to achieve quick point-to-point movements. But some applications, such as...
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Motion basics: Difference between Cartesian and polar coordinate systems
Coordinate systems provide a way to define a point in space in either one, two, or three dimensions. The most prevalent coordinate system used in linear motion applications is the Cartesian system....
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New generation of linear motor stages from Yaskawa
The Drives & Motion Division of Yaskawa America, Inc. has added the Sigma Trac II series linear servo motor stages to the Sigma-7 servo family. Sigma Trac II combines a Yaskawa SGLF2 series linear...
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SKF Motion Technologies becomes Ewellix
SKF Motion Technologies, formerly part of the SKF Group, has launched a new name and branding, to reflect the changes that the company has undergone since it was acquired in December 2018 by Triton...
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Ball screws feature high speed, high load capacity for machine tool applications
Featuring high-speed performance and load capacities that exceed existing full ball standards, THK’s new Type BSM ball screw is ideal for use in machine tools. The Type BSM uses a newly developed...
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What’s the difference between ball screw critical speed and characteristic...
Ball screw drives incorporate two primary moving components: the rotating screw shaft and the nut that traverses the screw. (The radial bearings that support the screw shaft play a minor role for the...
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How can lead screw backlash be reduced?
Backlash is an inherent property of lead screw assemblies due to the sliding motion between the screw and the nut. For some applications, a certain amount of backlash, or “play,” can be tolerated, but...
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How to size a rack-and-pinion system for a precision motion axis
In a previous motion-sizing article, we reviewed how to properly specify a ballscrew-driven motion axis. Here we review how engineering teams can use a similar approach for sizing rack-and-pinion-based...
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What causes synchronous belt noise and how can it be reduced?
Synchronous belts are common in motion systems, providing smoother operation and better high-speed performance than chains and lacking the problems of slipping and stretching that can plague V-belts in...
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