Linear-motor-driven actuator
The P3 linear-motor-driven actuator is designed with the linear-motor coil integrated into the top assembly plate for optimized thermal conductivity and high stiffness/low cogging for extremely smooth constant-velocity motion even at low speeds.
Features & benefits
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High speed and acceleration — up to 5 m/sec at 10 g
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Alternate motor selections for different load requirements; ironless linear motor for zero cogging and smooth motion
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Integrated cable-handling system; travel lengths to 1 m
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Two encoder feedback options: Magnetic encoder provides clean quadrature signals for difficult environments from 1 to 5-µm resolution; optical encoder provides resolution at 0.5 and 0.1-µm
Schneeberger Inc.
(781) 271-0140
www.schneeberger.com
Circle 160
Miniature drive-belt system
NBK's Excel-A-Belt miniature drive-belt system features an arched tooth profile with zero backlash for quiet and long-lasting operation.
Features & benefits
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High-accuracy positioning and precise rotation transmission
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Belt tooth enters and leaves sprocket in a rocking motion, reducing wear and contaminants from belt or tooth abrasion
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Bore sizes 3 to 25 mm; PDs of 17 to 54 mm come standard for shaft clamping; 3, 4, 6, and 9-mm widths available; suited for use with 10 to 1,000-W motors
The Precision Alliance
(803) 396-5544
www.tpa-us.com
Circle 161
Spline shafts with mated bushing
Lightweight aluminum spline shafts, coated with low-friction TFE, are mated with a graphite and PTFE-filled thermoplastic bushing.
Features & benefits
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Bushing's integral brass collar facilitates mounting without nut distortion
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Shaft straightness is 0.003 in./ft; typical radial and torsional clearance between shaft and bushing is 0.002 to 0.003 in.
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Antibacklash assembly available for additional stiffness
Nordex Inc.
(203) 775-4877
www.nordex.com
Circle 162
Cable carrier system
Marathon carrier system is suitable for applications with long travels and high accelerations where high tow forces are a problem; system can reduce tow force by 90%.
Features & benefits
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Rollers support carrier throughout entire travel; guide trough is replaced with cost effective, easy-to-install rail guidance system
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Carrier does not sag or contact itself, and cannot contact guide trough rails; rollers prevent misalignment and have high duty capacity due to even rolling surface
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Travels to 2,000 m; velocities to 5 m/sec
A&A Manufacturing Co. Inc.
Gortrac Division
(800) 394-1547
www.gortac.com
Circle 163
Control system
The Power PMAC controller is a general purpose, full-fledged computing engine with a real-time, multitasking operating system.
Features & benefits
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Embedded with motion and machine control-programming environment
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Uses built-in motion and PLC algorithms or custom software written in C or C++
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Complete motion and I/O solution; integrates a PC in controller rack, allowing operation of a hard disk, video card, and keyboard
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Built-in web server allows remote communication
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Embedded processor provides required resolution and range for virtually any motion control application
Delta Tau Data Systems
(818) 998-2095
www.deltatau.com
Circle 164
Heavy-duty pneumatic thruster
The T4 thruster offers the smooth actuation of original T Series thrusters.
Features & benefits
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Four guide shafts achieve doubled capacity and reduced deflection compared to standard designs
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2, 2.5, and 3-in. bore sizes available; stroke lengths in 1 to 12-in. increments, to 36 in.
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Options include internal and external bumpers, air cushions, magnetic position sensing
Bimba Manufacturing Co.
(708) 534-8544
www.bimba.com
Circle 165
Linear position sensors
Temposonics linear-position sensors can generate up to 20 simultaneous position outputs along a given sensing element, making them a cost-effective replacement for traditional proximity sensors.
Features & benefits
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Magnetostrictive sensors, suitable for multiple-magnet applications, are capable of stroke ranges greater than 5,000 mm; can provide resolution as small as 1 µm
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Sonic wave sensing devices use a high-resolution clock to determine accurate absolute position between fixed point and moving magnet; one return signal created for each magnet; if magnets are added, there is an additional signal generated for each magnet from the single interrogation pulse
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R-Series are smart sensors for fast, synchronized position control; G-Series are programmable sensors with built-in diagnostics for applications needing analog, start/stop, and PWM outputs; E-Series are designed for applications requiring simple position feedback
MTS Systems Corp.
Sensors Division
(919) 677-0100
www.mtssensors.com
Circle 166
Anti-backlash leadscrew
Kerk 0.5-in. WDG Series leadscrew and nut assembly is compact and designed for precise positioning.
Features & benefits
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Permits design of more compact mechanical assemblies without sacrificing stroke length
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Diameters from 3/16 to ½ in. and wide range of leads
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Patented wedge design that locks the nut at the correct preload without causing excessive friction
HaydonKerk Motion Solutions
(800) 243-2715
www.haydonkerk.com
Circle 167
tamperproof thermostats
Compact FTO11 and FTD011 Series tamperproof thermostats come with a fixed set point and are DIN-rail mountable.
Features & benefits
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Color-coded modules: Red for normally closed models (thermostat opens at temperature rise), blue for normally open models (thermostat closes at temperature rise)
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Several different fixed temperature set points available
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Units come with two thermostats: one normally closed and one normally open, or two normally open
Omega Engineering Inc.
(203) 359-1660
www.omega.com
Circle 168
Ribbon cables
Silicone-jacketed ribbon cables are suited for electronics applications requiring greater flexibility and environmental capabilities than those offered by PVC-jacketed cables.
Features & benefits
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Operate in temperatures from -65° to 260° F
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Submersible cable resists acids, alcohol, oil, ozone, steam, and radiation; outgassing specifications meet NASA rating for space applications
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42 AWG base strands provide extreme flexibility with a minimum bend radius of just 0.4 in.
Cicoil Corp.
(661) 295-1295
www.cicoil.com
Circle 169
Compact servo drives
Space-saving R7D-B Series reduce the complexity of applying servo drives and achieve faster startup and more reliable operation in a smaller, lower cost package.
Features & benefits
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Measure just 120 × 35 × 105 mm; reduces control panel space requirements and leaves room for other controls on same rail
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Simple auto-tuning eliminates complicated adjustments; torque-limiting function lets machine builders set two limits and switch between them to handle applications such as part insertion and pressing
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50 to 400 W models in 120 and 240 Vac single-phase and 240 Vac three-phase versions
Omron Electronics LLC
(866) 88-OMRON
www.omron247.com
Circle 170
Linear guides
LG linear guide ball bushings offer high accuracy, smooth motion, and high load capacities.
Features & benefits
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Dimensionally interchangeable with linear bushings; outer tube has same OD as a linear bushing
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Outer tube diameter from 8 to 15 mm with tolerances from 0 to -0.011; outer tube lengths from 12 to 30 mm with tolerances from 0 to -0.2; shaft ODs from 4 to 8 mm
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Rotation-prevention function (four rows of circular arc grooves on shaft) ensures precise movement; circular arc groove design boosts load-carrying capability
THK America Inc.
(847) 310-1111
www.thk.com
Circle 171
Data converter
Hart Loop Converter (HLC) accesses digital information from Hart-enabled (Highway Addressable Remote Transducer) field devices to make it accessible to the analog side of control.
Features & benefits
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Converter is both a transmitter power supply and Hart monitor; up to three Hart signals can be monitored simultaneously and provided as independent 4-to-20-mA analog signals
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Able to access monitoring and control functions for the production-control system without additional wiring or interference with existing analog communications infrastructure
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Built-in display and keypad for status indication and programming; external programming device or PC may be connected via a front side terminal
Pepperl+Fuchs
(330) 486-0002
www.pepperl-fuchs.com
Circle 172
Cartesian gantries
AGS Series linear-motor Cartesian gantries are optimized for precise contouring.
Features & benefits
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Motion to 3 m/sec and 5 g; travels to 1.3 × 1.3 m; customizable Z and theta axes for flexible configurations
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BLM and BLMH series brushless linear servomotors provide smooth motion; dual linear motors and encoders on lower axis offer high performance and precision
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Noncontact linear encoders, configurable cable management system allows integration of fiber, lasers, cameras, air lines, and more for multiple applications
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Rugged, noncontact optical linear encoders offer resolutions to 1 nm when coupled with encoder multiplier
Aerotech Inc.
(412) 963-7470
www.aerotech.com
Circle 173