New video overview from SMC highlighting their broad electric actuator offering.

New Whitepaper: Introduction to accuracy and repeatability in linear motion systems

How accurate is an actuator?

The answer to this question is more than a number. Accuracy and repeatability are two important specifications of a linear motion platform. Though they are related, accuracy and repeatability in linear motion systems are not the same thing. The motor, drive and actuator itself all influence these specifications. Sometimes, repeatability is more important than overall accuracy. The relative importance of the two depends on a thorough understanding of your application.

To learn how accuracy and repeatability affect a rodless actuator platform, download the Tolomatic white paper.

New F-Guides from LinMot

 

LinMot USA F-Guides are available in single axis, with optional z-axis, and in gantry configurations as shown above.  The F-Guides use LinMot's linear motors to deliver high speed and accurate positioning.

 

F-Guide Advantages:

• Uses an industry standard high speed bearing and rail system.
• Increased actuator stiffness and smoother operation
• Stroke lengths from 5.5" to 74.7"
• Guides are shipped from stock 2-3 week delivery.
• Repeatability without an external sensor +/- 0.002 in
• Repeatability with an external sensor +/- 0.0004 in
• Uses LinMot's linear motors with an expected operating life on the motor of up to 2 billion cycles when properly applied**

 

 

Applications:



• Synchronous Insertion or Cutting
• Product Sorting
• Product Rejection
• Product Assembly
• Product Repositioning including Rotation
• Container / Bottle Capping
• Conveyor Diverting / Positioning
• Label Positioning - Application
• Camera - Lighting Positioning
• Pad Printing
• Sealer Positioning and Control

For additional information including detailed information visit LinMot-usa.com.  Detailed information can be found in the LinMot F01-37S Guide.

If you have a specific application, would like to see a demo, need sizing assistance please contact Scott Equipment.

Easily Integrate Tolomatic's ACS Servo and Stepper Drive into Studio 5000 Logix Designer

Easily integrate the Tolomatic ACS Servo and ACS Stepper drive into Studio 5000 Logix Designer with Add-On Instructions.       The addition of Add-On Instructions use for Rockwell’s Studio Logix 5000 Designer creates simple, quick to program functionality to the ACS Servo and ACS Stepper drive.  The pre-configured Add-On Instructions allow for the full functionality of the drive including move types, homing, output control and more.  Tolomatic also offers complete documentation and how to instructions for importing the Add-On Instructions into the Studio Logix 5000 Designer software suite as well as a variety of sample programs.       This documentation along with Tolomatic's industry leading technical support ensures that the ACS drive is the shortest point between A and B to commissioning your project.     ODVA Conformant Link to ODVA website     Add-On Instructions Tech Note Add-On Instructions Download EtherNet/IP Example Program   EtherNet/IP Programmer's Guide ACS Servo Hardware & Installation Guide ACS Stepper Hardware & Installation Guide

 

LinMot's Direct Drive Linear and Rotary Motor Featured in Design World Magazine

LinMot's linear-rotary motor family PR01 was featured in the March 2015 issue of DesignWorld. 

The PR01 family combines independent electric linear and rotary motion in one compact unit. For complex tasks such as closing bottles, threading, carton closing, and pick and place controlled linear and rotary motions are needed.  Traditionally this has been done with mechanical solutions.  Mechanical solutions lack the flexibility and control needed in automation today.

Using LinMot's PR01 family you have the flexibility to control torque, number of turns, stroke and linear force. 

Stats:
Force:  up to 1024 N
Peak Torque:  7.5 Nm
Max Speed:  2,000 rpm



Links:

• Click here to read the article in DesignWorld
• Visit Lin-Mot's website
• Contact us for application assistance or pricing

Minimizing Electrical Noise in Actuator Drive Systems

Electrical noise is common in industrial environments.  Erratic movements, random system faults, and communications loss, are just a few of the symptoms.  Proper system design and wiring can minimize electrical noise to the point where it doesn't interfere with system reliability.  For more information check out Tolomatic's Whitepaper:

Minimizing electrical noise in actuator drive systems for maximum reliability and performance 

          Introduction:

Electric drives and actuators often need to operate in harsh factory conditions that subject the equipment to dust, moisture, heat and vibration. This same environment will also include electrical noise that can disrupt actuator control signals and cause erratic movements or precipitate complete system failure. By understanding electrical noise, system designers can take steps to minimize this interference and ensure higher reliability and maximum performance from electrical drives and actuators. This paper will discuss the
cause of electrical noise and its effects on communication loss, while also providing tips on how to minimize noise and maximize electric drive system performance.

Click here to continue reading the whitepaper 

New hygienic designed electric cylinders are IP69K, stainless steel and USDA approved.

Tolomatic has just released two new sizes of ERD electric cylinders that are hygienically designed, IP69K rated with a USDA Accepted Equipment Certification for meat (livestock), poultry, and dairy food processing applications.

The new hygienic stainless steel design of ERD electric cylinders offer:

• Thrust capacities to 4500 lbf [20,017 N]
• Increased strokes to 39.4 inches [1000 mm]
• Increased speed capacities to 57.5 inches [1460.5 mm]
• Choice of ball, or roller screws 
• Lowest cost stainless steel actuator– with IP69K as standard equipment available out of the catalog with fast delivery 

With the expanded force range the ERD can handle the most demanding jobs such as pressing, cutting, chopping and can replace most pneumatic and hydraulic cylinders with excellent efficiency and operating flexibility.

Get all the details.  Download the ERD brochure, and contact us for an onsite demonstration.

If you are attending the Process Expo at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL you can see the ERD in action at Booth #1316

Proportional Air Motor Control

Check out these videos taken at the 2012 Pack Expo show.  The first demonstrates proportional control of an air motor using Enfield servo valves.




The second video below demonstrates proportional control of a rack and pinion rotary actuator.

SMC's New LAT3 Miniature Linear Motor Actuator

SMC's new LAT3 series card motors are miniaturized electric actuators incorporating a linear motor, linear guide and a displacement sensor. These units are designed for the following applications:

• Small working envelope - 9 mm thick, 60 - 90 mm long, 50 mm wide 
• Low pushing force  - maximum pushing force of 6 N
• High accuracy - repeatability ± 5µm
• Measurement - ± 10µm pushing measurement accuracy (with an example load mass of 100 g, and stroke of 5mm)
• High Duty Cycle - Up to 500 cycles per minute.

The unit is very easy to program.  Enter the position, move time, and the load mass and the controller will automatically calculate the speed, acceleration, and deceleration necessary to make the move.

For additional information see the PDF catalog at this link:  SMC LAT3 PDF Catalog

If you need application assistance or would like a demonstration of the unit please contact Scott Equipment.

Enfield in Toroidal Engine Concept

The video below shows Enfield LS series high performance servo valves being used in a toroidal engine.  Response time and performance are critical in this application.  The valves used are Enfield LS-V15c valves.  Complete information on the LS line of valves can be found here:  http://enfieldtech.com/products/valves/

New SMC Electric Rotary Table

SMC has released a new electric rotary table series LER. The LER is a nice compliment to SMC's rapidly expanding line of electric linear actuators and grippers. Series LER achieves a low profile and space saving design by building the motor into the housing.

• Built-in motor
• High torque - Special low backlash (30x) worm gear
• Shock-less/high speed actuation (Max speed: 420 degrees/sec)
• Positioning Repeatability:  +/-0.05 degrees
• Up to 320 degrees rotation
• Possible to set speed, acceleration/deceleration, and position for up to 64 points
• Manual override screw on both sides to adjust the table position when the power is off.
• Automatic energy saving mode - 40% power reduction after the table has stopped
• Hollow shaft to pass through cables to attached components

Like all the new electric actuators from SMC the control and programming is familiar and easy because it utilizes the same LE series controller, software and optional teach pendent.

When fully configured the LER series is priced competitively.  A fully configured LER10 series including actuator, motor, cables, drive/controller is around $1,130.  The largest size LER50 fully configured with high precision bearings, motor, cables, drive/controller is around $1,800.

For more information:

Link to Catalog:  SMC LER Catalog
Contact Scott Equipment:  http://www.scotteq.com

Integrated Control Drive Motor - New from Tolomatic - ICM Plus

Tolomatic has released the new ICM Plus all-in-one integrated control, drive, and motor.  This solution combines the power of a servo motor with an integrated digital drive and control.  The ICM Plus has the following capabilities:

• Indexer programming
• Infinite positioning
• Stand-alone operation
• Mid-stroke positioning with sensors
• Stepper mode (pulse/direction)
• Analog position mode
• 100% duty cycle for continuous operation
• 24 Vdc opto-isolated I/O, NPN, or PNP
• 8 Inputs
• 2 Outputs
• IP65 Option - For protection against water and dust ingress

The ICM Plus can be used on almost all Tolomatic electric actuators.

Flexible Operation

The ICM Plus has 4 flexible operation modes:

• Stand-alone mode: PLCs or switches /sensors can send commands to the actuator via digital I / O to invoke indexer program for motion or other logic events.
• Communication mode: PLC or PC sends position commands or register changes over RS-232.
• Stepper mode: PLC or motion controller sends pulse / direction commands to actuator initiating motion.
• Analog position mode: PLC or motion controller sends 0 - 10 VDC analog signal to actuator which equates into an actual position (contact factory for Analog Torque Mode).

Powerful Software - Intuitive Interface

Additional information on the ICM Plus Integrated Control Motor system is available on Tolomatic's Website at tolomatic.com.

If you have an application, would like a demonstration, or would like to receive more information please contact Scott Equipment.

Integrated Motor Actuator from Tolomatic

The IMA is a compact, durable, high force rod-style actuator. The IMA integrates a servo motor with a proven mechanical design to provide efficient high force in a compact lightweight design envelope. Our patent-pending design allows for easy re-lubrication without disassembly for extremely long service life. Tolomatic has over 50 years of experience manufacturing rodless and rod-style electric and pneumatic actuators. The IMA combines this experience and the power of servo motor technology into one actuator. The result: reliable, affordable power in a compact package.

PDF Catalog

Tolomatic SmartActuator

The SmartActuator from Tolomatic is a controller, drive and servo motor integrated into one compact, durable, electric linear actuator. The result: reliable, affordable power that is remarkably easy-to-use.
The ICR rod-style electric SmartActuator Series comes in two motion control packages:
The ICR Basic for simple extend and retract operation and the ICR Plus with indexer programming and network communication capabilities.
Both ICR Basic and Plus electric screw SmartActuators offer:

• 100% duty cycle for continuous operation
• 24 Vdc opto-isolated inputs, NPN or PNP
• Two ball screw selections
• IP65 option for protection against water and dust ingress

All SmartActuators are built-to-order and shipped in 5 days or less.
Additional information is available here.