Linear bearings generally use a pad, bushing, or roller system to carry a load on a rail that need not be a straight line. The rail can be most any length, although that dimension is limited by the actuator. The durability of the bearing is determined by the load and required speed. Furthermore, rails can […]
FAQs + basics
Lead Screw Basics
A lead screw, also known as a power screw, is a threaded rod or bar that translates rotational motion into linear motion. When it comes to translating the rotary motion of a motor to linear motion, there are many different ways of accomplishing this task. Often times in the world of motion control, the battle […]
What are cable carriers? Summary for design engineers
Motion control systems can vary from simple, straightforward single-axis direct-drive systems with little wiring to large and complex multi-axis robotic systems with a hornet’s nest of cables. This is usually where cabling, which was an afterthought, now takes center stage. Especially where there are lots of cables and wiring, cable management becomes an issue. A […]
What are ballscrews? Summary for design engineers
Updated May 2015. || Ballscrews are used to change the direction of motion—from either rotational motion to linear motion or linear to rotational. The advantage of ballscrews is that they accomplish this function with minimal friction. The basic components of a ballscrew are a nut, a screw with helical grooves, and balls (often made from […]
What are dc motors and how do definitions vary? Technical summary for engineers
Updated May 2019. || Dc motors are motion components that take electrical power in the form of direct current (or some manipulated form of direct current) and convert it into mechanical rotation. The motors do this through the use of magnetic fields that arise from the electric currents to spur rotation of a rotor fixed […]
