• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Motion Control Tips

Automation • Motion Control • Power Transmission

  • News
    • Industry News
    • Editor Blogs
  • Controls
    • HMIs
    • PC-Based Controllers
    • PLCs + PACs
    • Stand-Alone Controllers
    • Software
  • Drives
    • Servo Drives
    • Stepper Drives
  • Encoders
    • Absolute Encoders
    • Incremental Encoders
    • Rotary Encoders
  • Mechanical
    • Bearings
    • Brakes + Clutches
    • Belt + chain
    • Couplings
    • Gears + Gearing
    • Lubrication
    • Shock + Vibration Mitigation
    • Springs + Rings + Seals
  • Linear
    • Actuators
    • Linear Motors
    • Linear Encoders
  • Motors
    • AC Motors
    • DC Motors
    • Brushless Motors
    • Gearmotors
    • Piezo Motors
    • Servo Motors
    • Stepper Motors
  • Systems
    • Conveyors + linear transport systems
    • Gantries + Stages
    • Rotary Tables
    • Grippers + End Effectors
    • Robotics
  • Networks
    • Connections + Sliprings
    • Fieldbuses
    • I/O
    • Sensors + Vision
  • Resources
    • FAQs
      • Motion Casebook
      • Motion Selection Guides
    • Suppliers
    • Video
You are here: Home / Linear Motion / Actuators / LiftWalker uses ball-scew actuator to help patients leave wheelchairs

LiftWalker uses ball-scew actuator to help patients leave wheelchairs

June 2, 2015 By Mike Santora Leave a Comment

The new LiftWalker from medical manufacturer Ideomotion is a stainless-steel frame with 12 V actuators that run off two rechargeable Nickel-Metal-Hydride batteries. Made in the U.S., the walker assists people from 3 ft 6 in. to 6 ft 6 in. tall and up to 300 lb with juvenile, preschool, and X large models. An easy-adjust thoracic prompt fits to the user in moments and comfortably lifts them to standing in a few seconds.

Thigh prompts make standing possible for almost anyone. Patients use their biceps, chest, back, stomach, and leg muscles simultaneously to engage the frame, increasing strength. This is safer than being pulled by an attendant or caregiver.
The New LiftWalker uses Motion Systems Corp. Model 85199 ball screw actuators to pull the patient up from sitting.

A ball cage within the nut ID cams up against stop pins at each end of travel to initiate freewheeling and linear advancement stops. The stop pins are mounted in the screw thread and are factory installed for the specified stroke. This design generally eliminates the need for externally mounted limit switches. Motor speed reduction to drive the Ball Screw is by a single stage worm gear reducer. The housing is die cast aluminum alloy. A molded neoprene coupling with steel inserts couples the motor shaft to the worm shaft and provides protection against shock loads. The worm shaft runs in an oilite bearing at the motor end and a ball bearing at the opposite end. The Ball Drive is mounted in a ball bearing at the output side of the gear reducer which takes axial thrust loads, and an oilite bearing at the opposite end. Both the worm and gear are heat treated steel for long wear life. An aluminum cover tube with a quad ring seal at its outboard end encloses the screw.

“The ball drive actuator has sufficient advancement speeds and custom stroke,” said Erik Wolf, president, Motion Systems Corporation. “With the Ideomotion walker, the actuator provides the mechanical muscle to help a wheelchair-bound person stand up and walk.”

Motion Systems Corporation

www.newliftwalker.com

You Might Also Like

Filed Under: Actuators Tagged With: Motion Systems Corp.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

LEARNING CENTER

Design World Learning Center

Motion Control Handbook

“mct
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for Design Engineering Professionals.

RSS Featured White Papers

  • Robotic Automation is Indispensable for the Logistics Industry’s Continued Growth and Success
  • Reliable Linear Motion For Packaging Machines
  • Polymers Outperform Metals In Precision Gearing

Footer

Motion Control Tips

DESIGN WORLD NETWORK

Design World Online
The Robot Report
Coupling Tips
Linear Motion Tips
Bearing Tips
Fastener Engineering.
Wire and Cable Tips

MOTION CONTROL TIPS

Subscribe to our newsletter
Advertise with us
Contact us
About us

Copyright © 2025 · WTWH Media LLC and its licensors. All rights reserved.
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media.

Privacy Policy | RSS