LINEAR MOTION

Extensive cooling systems drive much of the growing energy demand of data centers, as high-density computer equipment — including servers, networking gear, and storage systems — generates enormous amounts of heat as a byproduct of electrical consumption. Jeff Hemphill, CTO of Schaeffler Americas, noted that one of the most critical challenges of our time is…

Linear actuators with belt drives, ballscrews, or leadscrews for their rotary-to-linear mechanical transmission most commonly pair with servomotors, stepper motors, or brushless motors. Belt-driven actuators frequently employ servomotors with planetary gearboxes for speed and precision. In contrast, ballscrew and leadscrew actuators often integrate servo or stepper motors that are coupled directly or via gear reducers […]

Linear encoders are often essential. Even where they’re not, benefits they offer can justify the additional cost they incur. Linear encoders bypass the mechanical linkages of rotary-to-linear motion axes to directly measure positions of loads. That avoids the effect of backlash, pitch errors, vibration problems, and the way in which heat causes expansion and geometrical […]

So, what if an application needs a sensor to track an axis 360° and beyond? Absolute encoders need a power source and (for some designs) can be prohibitively costly while potentiometers can lack sufficient resolution. So, for applications not satisfied by these other options, multiturn shaftless rotary sensors are a leading option. These multiturn sensors: […]

Optimal Engineering Systems (OES) has introduced the AK110-10-60V Series of dual-axis goniometer and rotary stages. These motorized stages can be used to measure angles, identify crystals, position an object for inspection and aim a camera or laser. The lower goniometer stage provides ±10 degrees of rotation, and the upper vertical rotary stage includes a 60 […]

igus has opened a new facility in Rhode Island to support domestic production of drylin linear motion components and dryspin lead screw systems. The building, a repurposed 1950s structure located across the street from the company’s existing headquarters, will house lead screw production and drylin linear bearing manufacturing in the U.S. The site will manufacture…

The latest model ETP Shaft Locking Devices from Zero-Max work via a self-contained hydraulic system and provide more key benefits than traditional mechanical wedge-style shaft locking devices, ensuring high performance, accuracy, and durability in today’s motion systems. They provide far superior timing, synchronization and adjustability features. Here’s how: Precise Rotational and Linear Positioning Features of…

NewTek has released the NTC-6000 Qwik-Cal LVDT signal conditioner, which adds digital outputs to existing LVDT sensors. The unit lets facilities connect legacy LVDTs, RVDTs and LVRT half-bridge sensors to digital control systems, automation networks or IIoT platforms without replacing the sensors. Many analog sensors can be difficult to connect to modern control systems, and […]

THK has introduced the 7th Axis Robot Transfer Unit RK, a linear transfer system designed to extend the working range of collaborative robots. The unit uses caged-ball LM Guides mounted on a rigid aluminum extrusion body. A rack-and-pinion drive supports long-stroke travel. The mounting table is sized to accommodate FANUC CRX series CoBots, including the […]

Rollon has launched the HGT-MG telescopic rail, an addition to its HGT product range. The new version includes a redesigned ball cage and synchronization magnets to improve load handling, extension smoothness and durability. Advanced synchronization technology The HGT-MG is available in sizes 60 and 80 and uses a ball cage with reduced pitch and end […]

Optimal Engineering Systems has released a new series of Alpha-Beta “V” dual-axis goniometer stages. The stages are arranged with one axis perpendicular to the other, allowing positioning for inspection, mirror alignment and camera or laser orientation. The lower, horizontal-axis stage provides ±10 degrees of rotation. The upper, vertical-axis stage includes a 65 mm by 65 […]

norelem has expanded its portfolio to include electric cylinders and precision IO-Link servo actuators as an alternative to pneumatic cylinders. These components are intended for applications in mechanical engineering and medical technology that require precise linear motion. The electric cylinders from norelem combine a brushless servo motor, a servo controller and a recirculating ball spindle […]

Rollon has introduced the HGT-MG telescopic rail, an addition to its HGT product range. The new version includes a redesigned ball cage and synchronization magnets to support load handling, improve extension smoothness and increase durability. Advanced synchronization technology The HGT-MG is available in sizes 60 and 80 and features a newly engineered ball cage with […]

LINAK’s new LA21 electric actuator targets OEM demands for compact design, precise motion and reliable performance in challenging conditions. Faster cycles and consistent results The LA21 is the fastest actuator in its size class, combining high speed with low backlash and a high position resolution for precise, repeatable motion. This supports shorter cycle times, stable […]

Speed is of the essence for packaging machines: Products must be filled, reliably sealed, and prepared for shipping in the shortest possible cycles. Ideally, maintenance and unplanned downtime are rare to keep the total cost of ownership low. The list of requirements is long and applies to the packaging machine itself and its components, such […]

igus has announced that it will begin producing ACME lead screws in the United States. A new facility is being equipped with machinery to manufacture custom lead screws more efficiently and with increased availability. Benefits: In-house fabrication No imports necessary Competitive pricing No cutting charges Reduced lead times & faster shipping The company plans to…

PI has introduced the V-573, a new series of linear positioning stages featuring high-precision guidance and frictionless 3-phase linear motors. With 80nm bidirectional repeatability, 1g acceleration, and 500mm/s velocity, the V-573 family offers precise motion control suited for production environments. Designed for XY configurations, the stages integrate with PI’s ACS-based EtherCAT motion controllers, using advanced […]

In the first installment of this series, we covered the reasons why off-highway applications are primed for electrification — especially those vehicles with lots of axes that deliver relatively slow yet high-torque (or force) motion. Where the axes on a piece of off-highway or other equipment are linear, electric actuators have in some cases replaced […]

Advances in electronics, battery technologies, and motors themselves have spurred electrification in various industries. Off-highway applications lead. Electrification in the design-engineering space implies the use of electric motors to replace technologies based on fossil fuels, fluid power, purely mechanical kinematics, or even manual (human-powered) systems. Fields leading in electrification are transportation distantly followed by manufacturing, […]

PHD, Inc. announced the release of its Series ESW Heavy Duty Dual Rail Electric Linear Actuators. The Series ESW is designed to provide strength, durability, and versatility in a compact form for a range of industrial applications. Engineered for performance The ESW actuators are suitable for standalone operations or multi-axis Cartesian or gantry systems, providing…

Beverage conveyance systems require fast, precise eject technology to remove defective products from the line before they reach packaging or consumers. Modern high-speed bottling and canning operations can process thousands of containers per minute, making manual inspection impossible. Automated inspection systems continuously monitor for various defects, including improper fill levels, contamination, damaged containers, missing or…

Linear motion is essential to countless automated designs — including a burgeoning array of XYZ Cartesian assemblies. Many such designs pair a rotary motor with a mechanical device such as a screw, belt and pulley set, or rack and pinion assembly. Some linear designs are specified as sets of separate components for the OEM or…

PI (Physik Instrumente) has introduced its Nanopositioning and Micropositioning Essentials portfolio, which provides core components with shorter lead times and volume discounts for OEMs in research, automation, and advanced manufacturing. Fast access to core precision components The Essentials product line includes motion control components designed for sub-micron and nanometer-level applications. Most products are available for…

Following a few simple steps helps smooth the process of converting from hydraulic to electric actuators. Robert Johansson Industry Manager Thomson Industries In the age-old debate about hydraulic vs. electric, present-day consensus is that there is a place for both actuator technologies in a wide industrial landscape. However, increasingly, electric actuators, as they’ve evolved to […]

Rollon and Skyward Experimental Rocketry, a student association at Politecnico di Milano, marked four years of collaboration. Rollon is providing technical support and motion solutions for the team’s Orion rocket, which will be launched at the 2025 European Rocketry Challenge (EuRoC), a university-level rocketry competition in Europe. Orion, the successor to last year’s Lyra, is […]