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Miniaturisation of fibre optics, photonics, electronics and biomedical processes has driven the need for smaller and more efficient actuators.
Designed for OEM instrument manufacturers working to speed there time to market and reduce the overall installed cost for linear motion axes, Micromech’s new PROmech™ linear actuators from Parker are a complete linear motion solution.
PROmech Series LP28 and LD28 actuators come completely assembled and tested and include linear bearings, drive screw, thrust bearings, motor mount, coupling and motor. The important feature of the actuators is that being a pre-engineered positioning package, OEMs can significantly reduce their time to market with minimised design, procurement, assembly and qualification of all the parts necessary to build a linear motion axis if built from scratch.
With a travel range from 5mm to 500mm, the LP28 has several linear bearing options and a variety of screw-lead and motor-size options to easily match the positioner to the application requirements. This compact actuator is ideal for positioning payloads up to 4.5Kg and may also be fitted with optional seal strip, home and limit sensors. The LD28 is a complete linear actuator solution that offers greater screw and motor design flexibility, enabling OEMs to pursue optimal solutions for their applications. It offers a travel range from 5mm to 300mm and has a variety of screw-lead and motor-size options to easily match the actuator to application requirements. The LD28 is also ideal for thrusting applications requiring up to 4.5Kg of thrust.
The LP28 has a miniature cross section of 28mm x 28mm, is designed with an optimal length to travel ratio, has a high-performance leadscrew drive train and re-circulating linear bearing. Some competitive miniaturised drive trains use the radial bearings in the step motor to contain the motor rotor, manage thermal expansion as the motor heats, and bear the axial loads generated by the application. In some cases this is an acceptable practice but may prove to be a reliability risk, further down the road. The LP28’s bearing design allows thrust bearings to be thrust bearings and motor bearings to be motor bearings resulting in a highly reliable and long life positioner. The leadscrew options are 1mm, 3mm, 10mm and NEMA 11 or NEMA 17 stepper motors are included as standard. There are fully adjustable home and limit sensors and the actuators can be configured for multi-axis platform.
The clever design begins with an extruded aluminium body that provides aesthetic appeal, functionality, and structural strength. Internally, the drive train is highly integrated and includes the drive screw, screw nut, independent preloaded thrust bearing set, shaft coupling, and motor. Externally, an optional linear bearing may be used to support heavier or cantilevered payloads. Toe clamp mounting makes installation a snap. Finally, home and limit sensors, which are triggered by a magnet in the carriage assembly may be mounted using the T-slot and are fully adjustable over travel.
The LP28 is engineered for transport of small payloads over distances as short as 5mm and as long as 500mm. The LP28 is commonly used in life sciences, medical, and semiconductor equipment although it is not limited to these markets. Typical applications include transport of 0.45 to 0.9Kg. payloads such as microplates, vials, and small syringe pumps. In inspection applications, the LP28 is excellent as a focus axis for adjusting the position of a camera, optics, or payload. The LP28’s lightweight also makes it suitable for mobile equipment as well. Long life and with multiple lead options to easily match of payloads over the life of the actuator.
The LD28 is also a miniature cross section actuator 28mm x 28mm, has an independent thrust bearing set resulting in a high thrust per package size. It can have either stepper (NEMA 11 or NEMA 17) or servomotor; it has backlash compensation and a high performance leadscrew drive train and options of 1mm, 3mm and 10mm lead screw.
Designed for OEMs needing simple positioning solutions for instrument and light industrial applications, the PROmech family of positioners offers a complete positioning solution at a price OEMs can afford to design into their equipment. The LD28 is also a packaged linear actuator having all the same ‘completeness’ attributes as the LP28 being fully assembled and tested. Being so easy to procure and once on the assembly floor, are quick to install making life easier for engineers.
The PROmech LD28 is engineered for thrusting small payloads over distances as short as 5 mm and as long as 300 mm. In addition to the standard configurations the LD28 actuators can be customised to address the unique requirements of a particular high-volume application. These modifications may further reduce the installed cost and can include special motors (stepper, servo, or DC), motors fitted with rotary encoders, special screws (finer leads, ballscrews, special nuts), and environmental preparation (vacuum, high temperature).
Here again the LD28 is commonly used in life sciences, medical, and semiconductor equipment although it is also not limited to these markets. Typical applications include syringe pumps and positioning stages and its lightweight makes it suitable for mobile equipment.
Released:02-Nov-2009
