A wide range of medical devices, digital imaging or scanning applications, and laboratory automation rely on linear motion. For laboratory automation, the need for increased productivity, higher accuracy, and better reproducibility of experimental results are driving the increased use of linear motion. Sophisticated medical devices and digital imaging or scanning applications are increasingly relying on linear motion control systems which have become crucial for the successful development, progress, and deployment of these vital medical tools. Here are some examples from PBC Linear:

Artists Bruce Rosenbaum and Ben Cowden earned film credits recently for prop design on the PBS documentary The Lie Detector: A Truly Unbelievable Story. This ambitious historical account of real-life inventors, marketers, law enforcement professionals, and snake oil salesmen traces the interconnected lives of John Larson, William Marston and Leonarde Keeler. 

When motion system designers need complex, high-speed, multiaxis motion, they might first think of elaborate, prepackaged robot arms. Or, if they need only a few axes, they might configure a separate profile or round rail for each axis. But hiding between those options is simple and proven ball spline technology. This multiaxis motion solution has existed for years and is still highly relevant to today’s complex motion schemes. Ball splines use a unique architecture integrating rotary and linear motion on a single shaft. This gives them more flexibility to implement complex motion schemes in tighter spaces, providing a two-for-one deal in motion control.

Portescap introduces the 08ECP20 brushless DC slotless motor, a mini actuation solution ideal for engineers looking to downsize devices and applications without compromising on performance or reliability. The 08ECP20 is the smallest frame size to join Portescap’s Ultra EC portfolio.

Ruland has released mountable shaft collars with face holes for applications where the shaft collar needs to be directly mounted to a component such as a pulley, sprocket, or metallic plate. The shaft collars are available with drilled face holes that give the user flexibility in mounting hardware, or tapped holes that match the standard screw threading of the collar for ease of installation.

Portescap introduces the 60ECF brushless DC slotted flat motor, the newest frame size to join its flat motor portfolio and a significant expansion of its brushless flat technology capabilities. This 60mm BLDC motor features a 38.2mm body length and an outer rotor slotted configuration with an open body design, allowing it to deliver improved heat management in a compact package.

How does one accurately examine the components in a robotic arm or prosthetic leg? There’s not exactly time (nor space) to set up multiple cameras to track deformation or changes in shape of soft components.

Ruland zero-backlash jaw couplings are a three-piece assembly designed to accommodate high acceleration and deceleration curves that result in peak torque. Jaw couplings are ideal for systems that experience hard starts, hard stops, or reversals, including in medical, semiconductor, test and measurement, and robotics applications.

 Stock Drive Products/Sterling Instrument (SDP/SI) recently announced that they will be manufacturing specialized precision components for a new locking system in support of the U.S. Postal Service’s initiative in preventing the theft of mail.

Portescap introduces the new R22T gearhead, the latest addition to its existing 22 mm gearbox portfolio. As a mid-torque gearhead, the R22T fills the gap between our light-torque R22 and high-torque R22HT gearheads. It is also fully compatible with Portescap’s brush DC and brushless DC slotless motors.