Medical Device Link.

PRODUCT UPDATE

Ametek Technical & Industrial Products

Brush dc servomotors are available in three standard lengths with a skewed 5-slot armature design and bonded neodymium iron boron magnets. Offered by Ametek Technical & Industrial Products (Kent, OH, USA; www.ametektechnicalproducts.com), 22-mm-diam motors are designed to contribute optimised performance in a cost-effective package.

The longest model measures 1.901 in. in length and can provide up to 40% more continuous torque compared with shorter 22-mm-diam electric motor products. Other motors in the 6000 series are available in shorter lengths of 1.256 and 1.556 in. with the capability to achieve continuous torque up to 0.80 and 1.3 oz-in, respectively. Depending on the model, these motors can generate maximum peak torques up to 10.2 oz-in and nominal no-load speeds up to 8720 rpm. Key features include sintered bronze bearings, 2-pole stators, heavy gauge steel housing, silicon steel laminations and copper graphite brushes.

Trinamic Motion Control

Suited for applications that require fast dynamic motion without sudden changes in acceleration, a motion controller works equally well with traditional stepper motors and piezoelectric devices. The TMC457 controller developed by Trinamic Motion Control (Hamburg, Germany; www.trinamic.com) generates linear and s-shaped acceleration and braking ramps.

The device accepts digital quadrature signals from incremental encoders over its integrated encoder interface. The measured position is processed directly by an onboard PID controller and is software readable from a register. PID and all motion parameters are programmable and can be changed on the fly, simplifying the development of control software.

Unlike stepper motors, piezomotors do not have a fixed step size, and the TMC457 supports different integration parameters for the motor and encoder step sizes. This capability combined with encoder feedback enables direct positioning in the nanometre range. Because of the high resolution of the microstep size, the controller is suitable for biotech lab automation and optics applications that require extreme precision.

HaydonKerk Motion Solutions

Designer and producer of stepper motor-based linear actuators, leadscrew and linear rail assemblies and slides, rotary stepper motors and sealed switches, HaydonKerk Motion Solutions (Coueron, France; www.haydonkerk.com) has introduced its 3500-series double-stack captive hybrid linear actuators. The linear actuators are fitted with an internal antirotation mechanism for applications where external antirotation methods are difficult or impossible to employ.

The components come in a variety of resolutions ranging from 0.0158 to 0.127 mm per step and deliver thrusts of up to 50 lb. They can be microstepped to achieve finer resolutions. Three designs are available: captive, noncaptive and external linear versions. The size 14 double-stack hybrid linear actuator features engineering thermoplastics in the rotor drive nut and a stainless- steel Acme leadscrew. All linear actuators are built with dual ball bearings for broad motion control, precise step accuracy and long life.

Certified to ISO 9001:2000 and AS9100:2004 Rev B, the firm can design products to meet specific application requirements.

LM76

Teflon composite bearings from LM76 (Longmeadow, MA, USA; www.lm76.com) can handle 10 times the load of conventional linear ball bearings at less cost, according to the manufacturer. The construction also results in a low coefficient of friction and provides vibration and shock damping properties. Suited for applications that involve linear, rotary and oscillating motion, the self-lubricating bearings can be submerged; washed down with water, high pressure steam or chemicals; and can operate in harsh abrasive contaminated environments. Designers can choose between closed or open-style composite bearings in 12 sizes ranging from 0.2505 to 4.0012 in. The firm also offers pillow blocks, flange blocks and shafting. As the composite bearings are in direct contact with the shaft, there is no room for contaminants to collect. The bearings will not score the aluminium shafting.

LM76 offers a variety of bearings and shafts that can easily be integrated into new and existing applications. Bearing options include self-lubricating US FDA–compliant Teflon composite bearings in a 304 stainless-steel shell; bearings with a ceramic-coated shell and US FDA–compliant liner are also available. Shaft options include solid and hollow Class L Type 304 stainless-steel and ceramic-coated aluminium models in lengths up to 12 ft.

Intelligent Motion Systems Inc.

To suit motion applications in medical, biomedical and clinical chemistry platforms and lab automation where space is at a premium, Intelligent Motion Systems Inc. (Marlborough, CT, USA; www.imshome.com) has expanded its smallest all-in-one motion control product line with two new step and direction devices. The MDrive14Plus Microstepping and MDrive14Plus Half/Full Step use a NEMA size 14 brushless 1.8° stepping motor and measure a mere 1.9 × 1.4 × 2 in.

The motion control devices are capable of full microstepping and include features such as +12 to +48-V-dc supply input, choice of internal magnetic or external optical encoders with multiple line counts and index mark, and an extended operating range of –40 to +85°C, providing long life and easy service in demanding environments. Oversized input capacitors can be used to minimise power line surges and reduce problems that can occur with long runs and multiple drive systems.