The completely revised rotary module series from SCHUNK has many options, including electric and fluid feed through, continuous adjustment of the end positions, as well as pneumatic or locked middle position versions. Furthermore, it is interchangable with its predecessor, which ensures a hassle free upgrade to the SRU-plus.

www.schunk.com

Categorizing linear actuators is not entirely straightforward because many categories overlap.  The “motive power” category can be any type of power source, rotary motor or linear motor powered.  Linear motor solutions are much more commonplace in linear actuators today due to declining costs for this technology choice.  But in a linear motor based actuator, the linear motor is both the motive power and the mechanical transmission at the same time.

Categorizing linear actuators by their mechanical transmission style is another approach.  The most common categories are screw type, belt and linear motor.   But the motive power for a screw based actuator could be a stepping motor or a servo motor.  The stepping motor is predominant because of it’s suitability for positioning, but it may be underpowered for some applications where a servo is needed.   So the linear actuator transmission category can have overlaps because of the different motor types that are used in conjuncion with it.

Price seems to be one means of eliminating the ambiguity.  Stepping motor and lead screw combinations are popular because they are economical and maintaining 0.001″ accuracy is very easy.   Linear motor systems are capable of .5 micron accuracy with little or no friction, acceleration and speed that is incredible, but generally the higher performance comes at a higher price.

But in the end, the selection process is best guided by the criteria of the application.  The list is, thankfully, short.  Load weight or force that must be generated, speed, accuracy and life expectancy or number of cycles of operation.  This last is probably the key determinant in system selection.  Long life or high cycling goals lead to linear motors actuators with little or no friction. You have to familiarize yourself with the overall field because the tendency of confusing the technology and the application needs.

At the recent Semicon gathering of manufacturers involved in semiconductor manufacturing, a lot of attention is given to the mechatronic content of machinery.  And as far as I have been able to determine from many different market research projects, semiconductor manufacturing is one of, if not, the largest market for mechatronics every.   So it’s also not a surprise that a lot of vendors come to the Semicon show with their latest and greatest product offerings.

Among the most interesting, Nanomotion continues to extend the reach of piezoelectric linear motors, yet another technology choice within the linear actuator sphere.  Piezo motors have only one moving part, and meet the high precision, high reliability criteria.  With increasing usage, there has been decreasing cost for this unique solution, along with superior position feedback technology and excellent packaging for space constrained applications.

In addition, IKO has released a number of new linear actuator assemblies, both screw driven and linear motor driven.  They are also showing a number of unique 2-axis configurations one of which is the thickness of a tape reel and is targeted to unloading parts for electronic pick and place machinery.

Brilliant examples of manufacturers continuing to integrate mechatronic technology to make it more convenient for the customer.

The “plug-and-play” actuators have been engineered to promote precise and reliable movement in dozens of applications ranging from steering-wheel and seat adjustment to trailer tilting and hood lifting, among others.

Two series have been developed to satisfy medium/heavy or low-load applications. Both feature corrosion-resistant housings and durable metal gears offering the capability to withstand extreme temperature swings, vibration, shock, dust, and moisture in the field. The actuators are self-locking IP 66-rated and can operate over a wide temperature range (-40º C to 85º C).

Their use can deliver greater precision, process control, and accuracy; reduced maintenance-related downtime; diminished environmental impact with elimination of potential hydraulic fuel leaks; improved working conditions due to enhanced operator ergonomics and safety mechanisms; and increased productivity with the elimination of the need for manual operations.

This family of actuators can additionally be equipped with various options and otherwise customized for the particular application.

www.skfusa.com

Adding to all the normal benefits that the ISO 9001 registration provides customers and distribution, ISO-13485 certification provides the system controls, serialization, process change controls and notification that are currently required for products used and sold within medical markets.

“The medical market is a huge and all encompassing category and can cover many and varied applications,” said Robert Humphrey, President and CEO of Humphrey Products, “anywhere from process equipment used in the automated preparation and evaluation of biopsy materials on test slides, to those applications such as oxygen concentrators used by the patient within their own homes, or all the way into the ER, and patient invasive devices used by surgeons to assist with various medical procedures.”

Humphrey Products
www.humphrey-products.com

Many existing emergency gas shut-off devices require manual manipulation – a poor solution in emergency fire situations. The FireBag provides a solution by automatically discontinuing the flow of gas when the ambient temperature reaches 100° C (212° F). With this device, gas is automatically discontinued in fire situations to avert fire escalation and potential gas explosions.

According to the NFPA, the U.S. fire departments face 2,110 home fires a year where natural gas is the first material ignited, and 1,170 home fires a year where LP-gas is involved with the start of a fire. Most home gas fires originate in the kitchen at the stove or gas range.

The FireBag domestic product line includes:

o G4T404 for utility-supplied gas pipes, heating systems with radiant pipes, and hot air generators
o G2T50 for utility-supplied gas meters
o G4T10 for gas boilers and wall heaters
o G2T40 for gas appliances such as stoves ( ranges) and gas radiators
o G4TF for thermal stations

The FireBag industrial product line includes:

o G4T404 for varnishing and paint booths
o TASF for gas motors
o G4TF for commercial ovens

The FireBag has been used throughout the world to provide automatic thermal interruption of gas in paint booth applications, water heaters, stoves and ranges, radiator and gas utilities.

Although US fire codes and certifications for thermally activated shutoff devices currently do not exist, the FireBag conforms to internationally established codes and standards. For example, the European UNI EN 1775 Standard requires all indoor gas pipelines be designed, built and protected to prevent explosions in the case of fire as well as spreading of the fire itself. The FireBag conforms to this standard as well as the European Directive 90/396/CEE, the German Firing System Directive and DVGW TRGI 86/96. It also is certified for the German National Standard DIN 3586.

www.assuredautomation.com

The AGE compact long stroke singulaters are internally sequenced. The cross porting makes sure both rods are extended before either rod can retract, ensuring positive part feeding and release occurs sequentially and without jamming. The AGI escapements have an easy part clearing feature due to internal back pressure cross port design, this allows both rods to be retracted with air pressure off to clear a jam.

AGMS single finger feed escapement is a double acting actuator with t-slot gib design is ideal for use in tight spaces needing large payloads. This single guided actuator has a T-slot bearing design that is supported the length of the body to handle large moments. Multiple mounting surfaces allow payloads to be attached to the top rail or the endplate. AGMS slides are offered in four stroke sizes from .25 inch (6.4mm) to 2 inch (101 mm) and have .5 and .75 inch bore sizes.

A combination of through holes and threaded holes on the escapement body allow for easy mounting from various directions. Dowel-pin holes on the body of the escapement provide for repeatable installations.

All of these units are available with sensor options for easy interfacing to electrical controls and stroke adjustments that are ideal for fine adjustments.

AGI supplies a complete range of sophisticated automation products that include: pneumatic parallel grippers, rotary actuators, thrusters, linear actuator slides, mini slides, tool changers, overload devices. The units are available in imperial and metric versions for flexibility and design for a world market.

www.agi-automation.com

The patented AMLOK^® Type RLN is constructed of black anodized aluminum housing with a special piston and wedge locking mechanism actuated by multiple springs that mechanically lock the rod quickly and securely. The clamp is unlocked when air actuates the piston, compresses the spring and releases the locking device.

–No rod displacement on engagement
–Large clamping surface reduces pressure-per-square-inch on the rod, extending service life
–Fast response time
–Low backlash
–4 bar (60 psi) release pressure
–Precision holding 0.002-0.003
–Consistent clamping force in both directions
–High cycle rates and accuracy
–Holds load during power/pressure loss
–Compact unit, easy integration
–Versatile sleeve nut/tie rod mounting to NFPA style pneumatic cylinders
–Many NFPA style-mounting attachments available for stand alone applications

The optional sealed RLN Series design is suitable for food and wash down applications as well as pneumatic and hydraulic presses, scissor-lift tables, test and positioning equipment, amusement ride equipment, printing and paper handling equipment, theatrical equipment (platforms), assembly equipment, and machine tool applications.

Advanced Machine & Engineering Co.
www.ame.com

The Impulse valve will be available in two sizes, a 1-inch version for container sizes up to 100 lbs, and a 3-inch version for containers larger than 100 lbs. The valve is opened using a specially designed 24V Impulse Valve Operator (IVO), which can be activated electronically or manually. Up to six Impulse valves can be connected to a single output circuit of a Fike control panel using Fike’s Impulse Releasing Modules (IRMs). One of the key features of the IVO is that it is easily resettable after testing or discharge, eliminating the need to purchase replacement actuators. Fike also offers an IVPO for pneumatic activation of Impulse valves.

www.fike.com

Radial gripping motions are often achieved by integrating a slotted link gear. Existing links cause an extreme reduction in the gripping moment, if the opening angles are rather small. SCHUNK has found a solution for such an application; the patented Single-Pin guide rail which ensures a constant closing moment throughout the gripping range. The new PRG did not change in dimensions and can reliably grip larger workpieces or workpieces with a larger tolerance range. In addition, innovative dampening, which is directly integrated in the drive rod, allows short cycle times and a much longer admissible finger length.

The multifunctional PRG has an adjustable stroke to fit the individual application and is also available with a gripping force safety device, in a high-temperature version and with three different opening angles (30° / 60° / 90°). The end position can be optionally monitored by inductive proximity switches or magnetic switches.

SCHUNK Inc.

www.schunk.com

OLE actuators are designed, built, and tested to provide the longest life, greatest durability, highest speed, and most thrust per dollar. With speeds up to 22 inches per second, strokes to 18 inches standard, and thrusts up to 350 pounds, these new actuators can address a wide range of applications. The unique modular design can be ordered with or without motors and drivers’ from Bimba, enabling engineers to use their preferred stepper or servo brand.

The OLE product line is available in 1.5, 2, and 3 inch diameters with standard options including trunnion, block front, clevis, pivot, and foot mounts, reverse parallel motor mounts with rear pivot or clevis, step motors, drivers, encoders, brakes, washdown ratings, female rod threads, and switches.

Bimba Manufacturing
www.bimba.com/ole