Throttle control design presents engineers with a host of technical challenges. The Thomson Electrak Throttle actuator transforms throttle control through innovative design. Simplify installation and increase operator safety and productivity with the space-saving design and electromechanical interface, allowing engine speed controls to be placed in ergonomic positions. Presenter: Chuck Galloway, Product Specialist - Linear Actuators

Not long ago passed over in favor of pre-packaged solutions that were quicker to integrate, ball splines have re-emerged as go-to components thanks to their meeting requirements of today's multi-axis automation applications. Integrating linear and rotary motion on a single shaft, precision ball splines provide superior flexibility to designers and deliver advantages for motion performance and stability.

As miniaturization trends drive the need for more complex compact linear motion systems, the need for customization continues to grow.

Linear motion components such as bearings, shafts and rails are heavily utilized in many types of industrial machines, so the more that engineers can streamline component design, configuration and ordering, the more they can lower their production costs.

Electric linear actuators are raising material handling to new heights. As digital transformation extends the scope of automation to more axes and electric linear actuators handle increasingly heavier loads, more material handling system designers are converting hydraulic and pneumatic motion control to electric, especially in new projects. What factors are driving this shift in technology preference?

For decades, electric linear actuators have continued to evolve, offering designers cutting-edge technologies, intelligent control options and protection against the harshest environments

With the capability of handling loads up to 100 tons, screw jacks have made a name for themselves when it comes to designing for high-load, linear motion applications. However, determining whether a machine screw jack or ball screw jack is the right fit can be difficult. Each delivers key benefits depending on the application parameters.

Are you using hydraulic cylinders for your machine designs simply because “that’s the way it’s always been done”? How often do you evaluate which actuator technology is the optimum choice for a given application? Hydraulic cylinders and electric actuators each provide benefits. The key is knowing which solution to use based on your application’s requirements.

Round rail offers distinct cost and reliability advantages for certain applications, but maximizing those advantages depends on specifying the right bearing to minimize friction. Designers must often choose between plain bearings (or bushings) and ball bearings.

Do your linear motion designs require more speed? Increased load capacity? Or both with a high or continuous duty cycle? If you haven't already been specifying precision linear actuators, it is time you learned more about the many advantages they can deliver to your machine designs. These electric-driven solutions combine durability, performance and ease of use for a wide range of applications.