Thomson Releases Enhanced Linear Actuator with Rotary Encoder Integration
Thomson has recently released a rotating nut stepper motor linear actuator in a frame that includes a rotary encoder as a pre-installed standard feature.
Thomson, a global leader in the manufacture of linear motion assemblies including bearings, guides, and actuator solutions, has recently announced a notable enhancement to its line of products. The new rotating-nut stepper motor linear actuator (SMLA) offered by the company is available with a standard option of a rotary encoder.
Rotary-nut SMLA with pre-installed rotary encoder. Image used courtesy of Thomson
Aimed at offering greater flexibility to machine designers, the new solution also is set to enhance precision in positional feedback applications. According to Lindsey Brimage, Senior Product Manager of Lead Screws for Thomson, the new rotating nut SMLA completes the full line of SMLAs with the encoder as a standard add-on for the linear actuator and rotating screw configurations.
Linear actuators are used for the cartesian motion of assemblies, with the most common designs including toothed belts, pinion gear systems, and lead screws. Within that last category, the load can either be attached to a moving carriage while the motor spins the lead screw (called rotating screw assemblies), or, as in the case of this new innovation from Thomson, the load is fixed to the lead screw which moves through the body of the motor by means of a rotating nut.
Previous Limitations and Customization
One of the challenges that machine designers faced in the previous configurations in obtaining positional monitoring was that they often had to request custom encoder assemblies. However, even with the customization of these assemblies, a custom option for having a rotating nut configuration installed with an encoder did not exist. This limitation prevented the integration of encoders into certain applications.
Optional accessories for linear motion systems. Image used courtesy of Thomson
Increasing Interest in Position Data
With the increase of more intricate industrial applications that need position, distance, and speed monitoring, machine designers are embracing the approach of encoder integration, which is one of the most requested SMLA integrations from Thomson. Due to the company's high demand, the new encoders come as a standard choice for all three SMLA variants.
Benefits and Flexibility
For machine designers, the availability of Thomson's encoder in a standardized form gives them more freedom to create applications that need advanced data collection and analysis. Additionally, the production process can also be fastened due to the instant availability of SMLAs with rotary encoders pre-installed.
With machine engineers seeking to find solutions that meet their design challenges, innovative products are also emerging to tackle problems that have long faced electric linear motion industries. Thomson's new SMLA with a pre-installed encoder technology proves the company's commitment to ensuring that engineers find advanced solutions for their actuation designs.
With advanced positional feedback, the innovative solution not only addresses the previous limitations faced by designers but also opens possibilities for use in a wide range of applications. SMLAs with encoders readily installed are now available in Thomson's product catalog in all leadscrew thread and NEMA motor frame types for a wide application range.
