Effective April 26, Motion Industries, Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Colmar Belting Company. The closing of the transaction is expected to occur May 1, 2016. Colmar Belting Company is a regional distributor focused primarily on power transmission and belting sales and service based in South Boston, Massachusetts. Their offerings include material […]
Linear Motion
Five key electrical design concepts for mechanical engineers
Edited by: Paul J. Heney, Editorial Director Mechanical engineers often overlook important electrical issues when specifying their respective parts of an electromechanical system. This targeted advice will help you design your next electromechanical system. Mechatronic systems are the state-of-the-art technology in automation systems, intelligently integrating mechanical and electrical elements to perform increasingly complex and demanding […]
New small actuator family offers through-hole customization for compact OEM requirements
In order to simplify assemblies and save space, the number of OEMs looking for a way to insert their equipment directly through a Voice Coil Actuator (VCA) is on the rise for medical, scientific, and analytical laboratory instruments. In response to this increasing demand, BEI Kimco has introduced a family of linear unhoused VCAs with […]
Lift and horizontal transfer-system maker SERAPID gets new logo
Lift and horizontal transfer-system provider SERAPID now has a new logo. “The world of manufacturing is changing, and SERAPID is evolving with it,” commented Said Lounis, President of SERAPID group. “Our business has grown and progressed, and we felt it was time for a change. We have redesigned our logo to reflect who we are today and […]
Haydon Kerk Motion Solutions introduces micro series anti-backlash nut for 2-mm diameter screws
Haydon Kerk Motion Solutions, a recognized leader in linear and rotary motion solutions, has added the world’s smallest anti-backlash lead screw assembly design to its line of Micro Series screws (2-mm diameter screws). Its ZBM nut technology can be customized to specific applications that require unique geometry and custom materials, such as Kerkite composite polymers. […]
Motion systems application examples: Chains for every environment
By Leslie Langnau • With recent advances in precision, designers can use chains in more applications than ever, including remote installations thanks to lubrication technology. Chains are versatile and reliable components used primarily to transmit power in machinery or convey products. Roller chains are mainly used with drives. But they can also be found in […]
Servo Cylinder — robust high performance linear actuator with Phase Index
The Servo Cylinder is a compact, high performance brushless dc linear actuator with advanced control electronics and Phase Index absolute position feedback. The integrated Phase Index sensor is digital, high-resolution, and non-contacting with a wide operating temperature range and is resistant to a range of harsh environmental conditions. The combination of Phase Index with the Servo […]
Motion systems application examples: Electric actuators for versatility in motion
Electric actuators range from syringe-sized units in medical applications to those that drive truck-sized industrial presses. These ubiquitous muscles of precision motion usually incorporate an electric motor and rotary-to-linear device for conversion of torque to linear force. So let’s cover common motion applications for this component type. No matter the application, electric actuators deliver precision and repeatability—indispensable […]
Ways to wire an absolute encoder into a motion system
Absolute encoders are traditionally wired in one of three ways: in parallel, with a serial interface, or over a bus. The serial and bus interfaces have multiple protocols or standards, some of which are open-source, while others are proprietary to specific manufacturers. When considering how to wire an absolute encoder, the required resolution, level of […]
FAQ: How do magnetic encoders work?
Encoders, whether rotary or linear, absolute or incremental, typically use one of two measuring principles—optical or magnetic. While optical encoders were, in the past, the primary choice for high resolution applications, improvements in magnetic encoder technology now allow them to achieve resolutions down to one micron, competing with optical technology in many applications. Magnetic technology […]
