A Fresh Look at Linear Motion Technology

Linear guides, bushings, ball screws, stages, tables and motion control systems continue to evolve to meet the needs of factory automation, machine tools, and mechatronics. These components will continue to add sensors, electronics and software to meet new industrial requirements. We've spent time on the trade show circuit recently to report on new innovations in linear motion technology.

Schneeberger Spotlights Latest Innovations

Schneeberger Minirail miniature guideways, Monorail AMS distance measuring system, gear racks, linear and linear roller guideways, SLA Actuators, mineral cast machine foundations, and more. When linear technology components integrate seamlessly as a system, they form the optimal solution for machine automation. Consequently, Schneeberger systems empower OEMs to expedite design and manufacturing, minimize assembly time and labor — resulting in a reduced total cost of ownership. 

Minirail miniature guideways provide high precision, robustness, reliability, and versatility. As a result, these guideways are ideal for medical equipment, additive manufacturing, and other applications when space is at a premium and where high acceleration and/or extreme load values are involved.

Integrated Monorail AMS measuring head and scale for Monorail profiled linear guideways makes precision distance measurement possible when space constraints and performance. Monorail AMS solutions boast a 25-year track record as proven technology, are machine-compatible and ready to install to reduce the lifetime costs of mechanical engineering and automation applications.

Monorail BM profiled linear guideways (with balls) deliver maximum precision and increased service life — with minimal maintenance. All carriages feature longitudinal cross wipers for efficient sealing against dirt and debris.

Monorail MR profiled linear roller guideways feature high precision, high rigidity, great dynamic and static load carrying capacity, outstanding running smoothness, and total enclosure of the carriage as required for use worldwide in many machine tool applications. The results: Higher machining rates and enhanced geometrical accuracy and surface quality for workpieces, and improved vibration behavior and smaller vibration amplitudes for extended tool life.

Gear racks enable linear movements over almost limitless stretches. They are well-suited to use in large machines and systems as an economical solution when machine components with large axial forces require long linear movement with consistent stiffness over the rack length. Dirty working environments are no problem, and there are cost-efficient solutions for all applications.

The super-compact SLA Actuator offers high-performance linear positioning at an economical price. The actuator uses recirculating ball linear guides, which provide smooth motion and high load capacity. A ball screw version is available for higher speeds and duty cycles. Various leads are available for both the lead screw and ball screw versions.

schneeberger.com

Intellidrives Introduces Unobstructed Large Aperture XY Tables 

The demand for a high accuracy, robust, open-frame stages is met with Intellidrives dual-axis, large aperture stages that address the unique needs of scanning microscopy, wafer and printed circuit board inspection, automated assembly and wide range of specimens and samples scanning in many types of imaging techniques and applications. The large aperture remains unobstructed over complete XY travel.

Very precise fine positioning and control is easily achieved through the combination of a stable closed-loop control system and an associated joystick option. These stages are motorized with brushless servomotors with rotary encoders for smooth velocity and sub-micron resolution linear encoders for fine positioning, using proprietary dual loop servo controls.

intellidrives.com

NB Corporation Ball Screw Splines Updated For 21st Century Technological Needs

The NB Ball Screw Spline consists of a high accuracy, high rigidity Ball Screw nut and Ball Spline nut attached to the ball screw spline shaft which has a screw groove and spline grooves. The SPBR type has a Rotary Ball Screw nut and Rotary Ball Spline nut. The Rotary Ball Screw nut is an integration of ball screw nut and angular contact bearings.

The Rotary Ball Spline nut is an integration of ball spline nut and angular contact bearings. A single axis of the NB Ball Screw Spline can provide positioning, linear and rotary motion as well as combined spiral motion. Typical applications include SCARA robots, assembly machines, loaders, etc.

nbcorporation.com

Faulhaber Introduces New Motion Control System

Faulhaber is introducing a new motion control system. Integrated in the powerful brushless motors of the Faulhaber 22xx...BX4 family, the new Integrated Motion Controller 22xx…BX4 IMC, impresses users with its extensive range of functions and outstanding performance. Extension in length compared to the motor alone is 18 mm only including a full featured servo controller and a 12-bit encoder. To top this, the full performance of the motors can be used in all different executions.

The version with RS232 interface is ideal for integration both from a PC or via an embedded master. The CANopen version is the perfect match for industrial automation networks. Being fully compliant with the CiA 402 servo drive standard allows direct support from typical PLCs. But even using the RS232 version several drives can be controlled using a single port of the master. Typical tasks like homing a drive can directly be executed by the integrated Motion Controller using its local digital and analog I/Os.

Alternatively, both versions can also be operated without a master in "stand-alone" mode. Its digital and analog I/Os can then be used very flexible for local control tasks or for discrete set-point and actual values. Of course, the compact 22xx…BX4 IMC can be combined with many products from the Faulhaber product range such as the compact GPT gearheads and the new Faulhaber 22L linear actuators.

faulhaber.com