Designed for laboratory and industrial
automation, PBC Linear’s newly developed ML mini-actuator is built
tough for industrial applications and precise for the lab. This
actuating system is the latest addition to complete PBC Linear’s line of
Linear Actuator Technology (LAT), and has been shown to carry greater
load capacities, travels at higher speed with increased precision, and
offers more customizable options than actuators in its class. All
delivered at a lower cost than the competition with PBC Linear’s
patented SIMO process.
28mm wide, offered in varying lengths, and
weighing 0.15kg/100mm, the ML offers linear motion in extremely compact
surroundings. What sets the ML apart from the competition is its
design. With the systems integrated screw nut composed of PTFE
impregnated polymer and six bearing plane surfaces per side, the ML
nearly doubles the potential load capacity for any miniature actuator
design. Also the ML carriage comes available with a dovetail shaped
mount that aids in alignment and increases accuracy of part positioning
during assembly. The dovetail mounting design also lends to the
actuators high speed capabilities, which is further facilitated by a
larger lead screw than competing mini-actuators. These design factors
combine together to allow the ML to offer high speed, precision, and
load capacities in a compact design.
The ML mini-actuator’s unique compact
motor mounting adaptor allows the pairing of standard stepper and servo
drive motors while minimizing overall length. Mounting the
actuator is done simply by using clamps on the integral dove tail shaped
slots located along each side close to the base. Limit
switches and other accessories are simply mounted to the T-slots that
are accurately positioned along the each actuator’s side. The
carriage has two threaded inserts to ensure dependable and convenient
mounting to the carriage.
Another aspect that sets the ML apart from
other mini-actuators is its versatility. The ML comes with a plethora
of customizable options, both in mounting capabilities and design
functions; such as offering several different sizes of drive screws to
give the end-customer a wide selection of velocities to choose. With the
possibility of having up to two profile rails, moment capacity for the
ML is dramatically increased. Also, to allow for function in
contaminated and clean-room environments, a seal strip can be added to
keep dirt and grime out of the system while keeping all particulates
from exiting the system. From gear reducers to stepper motors, the ML
can be tailored to meet any compact linear motion application.
Backed by their patent pending SIMO
process, PBC Linear is able to precision machine the ML mini-actuator
in minutes. Using multiple synchronized cutters that concurrently mill
precision edges into the actuator, the SIMO process provides consistent
accuracy and precision along all edges throughout the entire extrusion.
What use to be a painstaking and costly process of tightening tolerances
to ensure precision has evolved into a straight line production system
that provides the ML with precision without the extra cost, and the
foundation for its design.
