PRODUCTS LINEAR MOTION/MOTION CONTROL NEW SCREW JACKS OFFER A VERSATILE SOLUTION FOR MACHINE BUILDING
New from Power Jacks is the 10kN E-series Screw Jack, designed to provide engineers with more capabilities and versatility in actuation, lifting and positioning solutions for machine building. According to the company, the 10kN E-Series Machine Screw Jack was developed from customer requirements prioritising versatility in mounting accessories for drive and feedback devices over the need for an ultra-compact gearbox as provided by the original 10kN screw jack. The new design still minimises size and weight through an optimised design. Both the original design (designated type-1) and the new screw jack (designated type-2) are available, giving engineers the choice to pick the best solution for their application. At launch the 10kN Screw Jack is available in four standard configurations and six standard variants. Features of the range include:
• Easily integrate motor drives & feedback devices: Bolt-on mounting points on each side of the gearbox housing where the worm shaft is located allows for the direct mounting of electric motors, motion feedback devices
(e.g. rotary cam limit switches and encoders), brakes and other accessories. This provides an integrated design approach for minimising machine design envelope, number of components and build cost. • High strength to weight ratio: The weight of the screw jack’s gearbox has been minimised by making the housing from a high strength yet light weight aluminium alloy and by using sealed worm shaft bearings to remove the need for a cover flange at each worm shaft end. This low weight reduces handling effort at build, reduces weight & logistics costs for the final machine and mobile applications, and reduces power (fuel) consumption. • Integrated guide bush for lifting screw: The gearbox as standard has an integrated self- lubricated guide bush for precision alignment of the lifting screw, which improves the operational accuracy of the final machine.
• Strong mounting for screw jack base: Secure 4-point mounting method for fixing the screw jack base to a superstructure gives improved rigidity, alignment and fixing strength over
2-bolt alternatives. E-Series screw jacks are popular in industries including renewable energy, food & beverage, aerospace, defence, communications and more. The new 10kN screw jack extends the capabilities of the range to further benefit machinery designers. Alex Crossland, managing director, commented: “This new 10kN screw jack is part of our continuous product development plans to deliver new and improved levels of linear motion solutions.”
Power Jacks
www.powerjacks.com
MULTI-AXIS MOTION CONTROLLER OPTIMISES PRECISION FOR LOW CURRENT MOTORS
The MiniMACS6-AMP4 multi-axis motion controller range from maxon has been upgraded with improved control precision for smaller DC and brushless DC (BLDC) motors. In addition to being optimised for motors up to 7A (amps) peak
current and 4A continuous current, and achieving higher current resolution, the controller range now also includes a Profinet interface. The MiniMACS6-AMP4 is a freely programmable
master motion controller range, provided with a protective housing and integrated amplifiers. The range can control up to six DC motors, four BLDC motors, or three stepper motors. Now, maxon has added a 4A continuous current (210W) model. The new MiniMACS6-AMP-4/50/4-IF1 can coordinate motors up to 7A peak torque, and is supported by a 12bit analogue-to- digital converter (ADC). Benefits include optimised control precision for
motors at a lower current through improved resolution across a smaller measured range. Lower current also reduces noise. The Profinet interface increases network integration flexibility. Profinet features real-time data transmission to optimise multi-axis motion control performance with cyclic data exchange as fast as 1ms. Adding the Profinet interface enables seamless integration with Siemens systems and wider Profinet networks, providing scalable connectivity ranging from I/O applications through to complex control systems. Both controllers in the MiniMACS6-AMP4/50/4-IF1
range also support the real-time, deterministic EtherCAT protocol, as well as Ethernet for flexible network topologies, and
reliable CANopen communications. maxon
ADVANCED LINEAR MOTION TECHNOLOGY SPECIFIED TO POWER METAL CROPPING MACHINE
Working with IMI, Design & Automation Solutions (DAS) has delivered a cutting-edge metal cropping machine to Batten & Allen, a provider of precision metal stamping services. Offering flexibility and
productivity, the new machine can switch between different stamping heads to meet production demands. For the project, IMI supplied a range of pneumatic and electric components integral to the machine, which is powered by advanced linear motion technology. The machine features IMI Bahr LSZ60 linear axis
for horizontal motion, seamlessly integrated with a Mitsubishi servo motor to ensure precise control of the foil strip feeding process. For vertical motion, E/809000/M rod style electric cylinders deliver a powerful 6000N cropping force. The machine’s pneumatic cylinders are controlled by IMI Norgren VR10 valve islands for efficiency and reliability, with IMI Norgren Excelon Plus air preparation providing a consistent, high quality, compressed air supply. A key factor in the project’s success was IMI’s
ability to respond swiftly to the initial system specifications provided by DAS, while also
46 DESIGN SOLUTIONS NOVEMBER 2025
www.maxongroup.com/en
ensuring the compatibility and performance of the selected electrical actuation components. Clare Saunders, key account manager,
Industrial Automation, at IMI, commented: “Collaborating with DAS allowed us to fully understand their requirements, which informed our recommendations for electric actuation and ensured seamless installation on the cropping machine… The IMI Bahr range is particularly well-suited for this application, offering precise, repeatable control and accurate positioning, alongside benefits such as reduced energy consumption and lower total cost of ownership.” Mick Stallwood, owner at DAS, added: “The
precision and reliability of IMI’s pneumatic and electric motion solutions, such as the E/809000/M electric cylinders and LSZ60 linear axis, have enabled us to deliver a machine that meets Batten & Allen’s exact requirements for flexibility, efficiency, and performance.”
IMI
www.imiplc.com/industrial-automation
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