Originally named for Bruce Sawyer, who patented the design in 1968, Sawyer motors are a type of planar motor, and are sometimes referred to as “dual-axis linear stepper motors” since they use stepper motor technology and the moving part can travel in both the X and Y directions. Like other planar motor designs, Sawyer motors […]
Linear Motion
Direct-drive actuator with high torque density for more productive robots and machines
Genesis Robotics & Motion Technologies announces the availability of its new LiveDrive LDD 1800 Series Direct Drive Actuators, with an extensive range of configurations and performance options. LiveDrive direct-drive actuators eliminate the need for gearing and are redefining the next generation of parallel robots and precision machinery, unlocking capabilities beyond the reach of conventional drivetrains, […]
New miniature linear voice coil motors from Moticont
The new LVCM-010-013-01 linear voice coil motor from Moticont is only 0.375 in. (9.5 mm) in diameter and the length at mid-stroke is just 0.81 in. (20.7 mm) long. However, this new miniature voice coil motor has a high force-to-size ratio with a continuous force of 1.0 oz (0.28 N), a peak force of 3.2 […]
Linear actuator speeds certification of ventilators in fight against COVID-19
Responding to an urgent need for medical ventilators for health professionals in Canada, StarFish Medical – Canada’s leading medical device design and development firm – called on NSK to quickly deliver up to 7,500 Monocarrier linear actuator assemblies for use in their Winnipeg 2.0 Ventilator. In early Spring 2020, the Canadian government announced Canada’s Plan […]
350 mm aperture motorized rotary actuators
ServoBelt Rotary Stage offers an economical solution for a variety of light and medium-duty rotary motion applications. It features very large clear aperture of 350 mm and provides arc-second resolution when driven from a micro-stepping or brush-less servomotor controller. The low profile design is made possible by the use of compact precision bearing. The rotating […]
New precision linear stage family for ultra high vacuum applications
PI (Physik Instrumente) LP has introduced a new high precision linear translation stage family for High Vacuum (HV) and Ultra High Vacuum (UHV) applications. The L-509 vacuum stage series is offered for 3 different vacuum levels: 10-6 hPa, 10-7 hPa, and 10-9 hPa. Linear motion ranges of 26mm, 52mm, and 102mm are available. The precision-ground […]
Thomson electro-hydraulic linear actuators optimize force density and shock resistance
Thomson Industries, a leading manufacturer of linear motion solutions, has introduced an electro-hydraulic actuator that has the strength of hydraulic cylinders but without their complex external assemblies or extensive fluid handling requirements. Thomson Warner Linear H-Track actuators move loads of up to 4800 pounds from a compact mounting envelope. The actuators are ideal for space-constrained […]
Automation putting faster in the fast-food industry
To the relief of those who are indecisive at the drive through, McDonald’s Corp. will soon be ramping up its use of voice-activated order taking. That’s according to a Wall Street Journal report last year — which also details how designs coming to the restaurant also include automatic systems to operate the deep fryers for […]
Motion-control systems help automate COVID-19 testing
Automated biochemical analyzers vastly accelerate the testing of patient samples in laboratories, which has become critical now that the COVID-19 pandemic has spread across the globe. Advanced automation with motor-based motion systems will help in the fight to hasten diagnosis. Just consider the cobas 6800 and 8800 machines from Roche that automate testing of nasopharyngeal […]
Direct-drive linear motor features integrated encoder, temperature sensor
The new patented SDLM-019-070-01-01 direct-drive linear motor with integrated position and temperature sensors is the latest addition to the series of zero backlash, zero cogging, high acceleration, high speed, high resolution, long life motors from Moticont. Also known as an electric cylinder, this compact direct-drive linear motor is just 0.75 in. (19.1 mm) in diameter […]