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
High speed and acceleration — up to 5 m/sec at 10 g
Alternate motor selections for different load requirements; ironless linear motor for zero cogging and smooth motion
Integrated cable-handling system; travel lengths to 1 m
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
High-accuracy positioning and precise rotation transmission
Belt tooth enters and leaves sprocket in a rocking motion, reducing wear and contaminants from belt or tooth abrasion
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
Bushing's integral brass collar facilitates mounting without nut distortion
Shaft straightness is 0.003 in./ft; typical radial and torsional clearance between shaft and bushing is 0.002 to 0.003 in.
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
Rollers support carrier throughout entire travel; guide trough is replaced with cost effective, easy-to-install rail guidance system
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
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
Embedded with motion and machine control-programming environment
Uses built-in motion and PLC algorithms or custom software written in C or C++
Complete motion and I/O solution; integrates a PC in controller rack, allowing operation of a hard disk, video card, and keyboard
Built-in web server allows remote communication
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
Four guide shafts achieve doubled capacity and reduced deflection compared to standard designs
2, 2.5, and 3-in. bore sizes available; stroke lengths in 1 to 12-in. increments, to 36 in.
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
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
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
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
Permits design of more compact mechanical assemblies without sacrificing stroke length
Diameters from 3/16 to ½ in. and wide range of leads
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
Color-coded modules: Red for normally closed models (thermostat opens at temperature rise), blue for normally open models (thermostat closes at temperature rise)
Several different fixed temperature set points available
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
Operate in temperatures from -65° to 260° F
Submersible cable resists acids, alcohol, oil, ozone, steam, and radiation; outgassing specifications meet NASA rating for space applications
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
Measure just 120 × 35 × 105 mm; reduces control panel space requirements and leaves room for other controls on same rail
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
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
Dimensionally interchangeable with linear bushings; outer tube has same OD as a linear bushing
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
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
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
Able to access monitoring and control functions for the production-control system without additional wiring or interference with existing analog communications infrastructure
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
Motion to 3 m/sec and 5 g; travels to 1.3 × 1.3 m; customizable Z and theta axes for flexible configurations
BLM and BLMH series brushless linear servomotors provide smooth motion; dual linear motors and encoders on lower axis offer high performance and precision
Noncontact linear encoders, configurable cable management system allows integration of fiber, lasers, cameras, air lines, and more for multiple applications
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
