Archive for the ‘Linear Motion’ Category

SMAC has developed next generation moving coil actuator LCA series designed to replace pneumatic cylinders with an expected 10 times improvement in cycle life over pneumatics and a competitive price starting at $500.

The LCA series is conceived as a complete series, like SMAC’s CA series. The first model in this series, the LCA25, has a small overall footprint 25mm (H) x 50mm (W) and length depending on stroke. Starting with stroke length of 10mm, the range will extend up to 100mm with encoder resolutions from 20 micron to 50 nanometer. With this level of accuracy the unit is especially useful for precise positioning and measuring. A slide option is available for scanning applications.

The LCA series have one and three coil versions that generate a force of 10N and 30N respectively with accelerations greater than 30G possible.

The LCA series is equipped with linear guide with built-in lubricant that gives >100,000,000 cycle expected life. This enables a reduction of down time and will significantly increase production efficiency. The actuator also has a low power consumption of 1.5 amps peak at 24V and 48V, making them highly energy efficient and very quiet compared to old pneumatic technology.

A “Snap Together” design controls tight tolerance stack-up to assure high product quality. There is no adjustment of parts during the assembly of the actuator and maximum tolerance stack-up is held to under 50% of allowable.

As with all SMAC actuators the LCA series are fully programmable in force, velocity and position mode. Further to this the SMAC patented ‘Soft-Land’ function is incorporated to allow delicate & controlled force when landing on fragile components. The actuators also give 100% data feedback of all operations as standard. Due to these unique features, no external switches or sensors are required to detect actuator movement or position.

Incorporated in the LCA series are SMAC’s proprietary linear encoders. These have been developed and field proven to be much more reliable than commercially marketed encoders.

For more information, here is the LCA Data Sheet

The SMAC Series Electric Cylinders with Direct Drive Provide Cost Efficiency and Increased Performance for High Precision & Speed Applications.

The CA series is a cost effective alternative to pneumatics and comes in diameters of 8, 12, 16, 24, 35, 36, 50, 75 and 150mm. Available strokes – depending on the model – range from 10 to 50mm with encoder resolutions of 20, 5, 1, 0.5, 0.1 or 0.05 microns.

SMAC electric cylinders have a low moving mass and are equipped with a self-lubricating splined shaft linear guide which significantly decreases friction. This enables the unit to generate a low controlled contact force while using the SMAC patented Soft-Land function. This eliminates any damage to components during handling. Position, force and speed are individually programmed through a standard PC interface. Thus, re-calibration for applications with different sized components can be carried out in a very short period of time.

As costs drop and capabilities increase SMAC moving coil electric cylinders are rapidly replacing older technologies such as pneumatics, moving magnet linear motors, ball screw and belt drive actuators. SMAC electric cylinders provide better force control for glass applications, and better force control and quality feedback for medical product manufacturing and assembly. SMAC electric cylinders are high speed, low cost and have the ability to measure what cameras and lasers cannot during part inspection. They also enable quick adjustment and provide longer life. SMAC electric cylinders are therefore rapidly replacing older linear actuator technology and camera and laser measuring systems.

SMAC Inc. is the world leader in Moving Coil Actuators and associated control systems and delivers high tech solutions to the industry with single and multi axes linear, linear/rotary actuators, integrated XY and XYZ stages, positioning stages and electronic control solutions.

For more information, here is the complete SMAC Catalog (2MB) for Linear and Rotary Actuators and Controllers.

Baldor LMDS – Dual Axis Linear Stepper Motor

The open-loop linear stepper motor provides the most economical linear motor positioning package. The compact dual-axis stepper motor provides travel along two axes in a single plane. The dual axis package is comprised of two components: a moving forcer (with bearings) and a stationary platen. A position verification system is available to close the loop.

The dual-axis linear stepper motor is designed for two-axis open loop positioning. It is a two axis stage with integrated air bearings and positioning system and offer very high levels of positioning performance. They are capable of move speeds of up to 1.5 metres/second at resolutions to 2.5 microns and with a repeatability of better than 2 microns. They also offer friction-free mechanics with zero-backlash and no wind-up — for a major performance improvement over traditional mechanical transmission design technologies, as well as maintenance savings. The bases are available in a choice of seven standard sizes with square or rectangular working areas ranging from 375 x 375 to 750 x 1500 mm.

The moving primary 2 or 4-phase dual-axis linear stepper motor consists of a moving forcer and a stationary platen. The forcer is made of four single-axis coil assemblies. Two of the forcer assemblies are mounted in series to provide a thrust in the X direction and the other two are mounted orthogonal (at 90 deg.) to the first two assemblies to provide thrust in the Y direction. The forcer assemblies are encapsulated in a hard anodized aluminum housing. The motor’s surface is lapped to provide a flat surface for the air bearing. The floating height of the air bearing is less than 25 µm [0.001 in]. The forcer is available in eight sizes, depending on the application’s
force requirements.

The platen is a photo-chemically etched steel plate that is filled with epoxy and ground. Standard mounting holes are provided on forcer and platen. The platen is available in sizes up to 0.24m x 0.34m [36 in x 59 in]. Preload for the bearing system is provided by the magnetic-attractive force between the forcer and the platen. The customer must bring power to the forcer with a cable, and provide the bearing air supply.

Features:

• Two-axis motion in a single plane
• Acceleration to 19.6 m/s2 [2g]
• High repeatability 5.08 µm [0.0002 in]
• Flatness = 12.7 µm/300 m [0.0005 in/ft.]
• Resolution = Full Step, Number of microsteps: 2-phase min. 5 µm [0.0002 in], 4-phase min. 2.5 µm [0.0001 in]
• Platens up to 914 mm x 1,498 mm [36 in x 59 in]
• For open position loop systems
• No tuning necessary
• Multiple forcers with overlapping trajectories on a single plate
• High stiffness air bearings
• Mount face up or inverted.
• Required drive: Microstepping drive
• Lowest cost dual-axis positioning stage

For further details please check out the Baldor Linear Motor & Stage Product Brochure

The KM series consist of linear guideway and ballscrew unit and are available in lengths from 150 mm (5.91 inches) to 1380 mm (54.33 inches). For saving space, the carriage of linear guideway and nut of ballscrew to a integral carriage-nut are combined. The carriage-nut cooperate with the U rail designed for high rigidity to achieve the high rigidity and high accuracy in the minimal space, especially to saving time of installation. Moreover, the design of two rows with Gothic-arch groove and contact angle of 45°can bear four directional loading.

Space Saving  Design: Combine the carriage of linear guideway and nut of ballscrew to a carriagenut, KM series can achieve the best use of space.

Four Directional Equal Load: KM series are applied two rows with Gothic-arch groove and designed to contact angle of 45°which enables it to carry an equal load in radial, reversed radial and lateral directions to suit to any mounting orientation.

High Rigidity: Base on the optimal analysis of FEM for the shape of U rail, it has the balance between light weight and high rigidity.

High Accuracy: The design of two rows with Gothic-arch groove and stable manufacturing technology can control the variation by load at the minimum. It can provide the smooth feed with high accuracy.

Additional Features: Proximity sensors and photo sensors are available as an option, models equipped with a sensor are provided with a dedicated sensor rail and detecting plate.

For further details please check out the KM Product Brochure

CAL12 Series – Programmable Force, Position & Velocity!

The CAL12 series of Electric Cylinder range has been designed to offer a long life cycle and much more precise and repeatable force control and positioning, and are the first linear motors to challenge conventional LVDT devices. The CAL12 series are compact yet robust; they are manufactured from high-grade stainless steel with a minimum wall thickness of 1.5mm. Due to the innovative design and construction, cylinder acceleration of up to 10Gs can be achieved, and they have been designed to offer a life expectancy of circa 100 million+ cycles as a minimum.

Features:

• 12mm Diameter Linear Motor
• Stroke: 10mm
• Force: 1.5N at 24V DC
• Encoder resolution: 1µm
• Fully programmable in force, position and velocity

Specifications:

Options & Modifications (Consult factory for availability)

For further details please check out the CAL12 Product Brochure