AMI -- Aqua Massage International's flagship product is the Aqua Massage Machine. With customer demand at an all time high, AMI sought to optimize the quality of its machine's design. Specifically, the company needed a linear motion solution capable of guiding and translating the machine's spray water jet assembly, which moved back and forth along a linear shaft. The machine's 36 water jets travel along the shaft, massaging either the full length of the body or a concentrated area depending upon customer preference.

Unlike most other applications, the Aqua Massage machine presented an unusual design challenge. Not only did the linear motion assembly have to be accurate and durable enough to meet demanding speed requirements, it also has to meet the performance specifications while operating at an elevated temperature and over a distance of 7 feet.

"Speed is a crucial factor since pulsating water jets must be able to quickly adjust from 2 to 10 cycles per second without interruption," said Gerardo Aristi, Vice President of Operations at AMI. "We needed a linear solution with minimum radial play, vibration and backlash between the screw and nut to ensure a tight fit, and thus a smooth experience for the customer," said Aristi. AMI turned to Kerk Motion Products, a manufacturer of non-ball lead screws and a vendor with whom AMI had a previous relationship. The challenge presented to Kerk was to produce a lead screw and nut assembly that could satisfy all these requirements.

"The Aqua Massage application posed many obstacles," said Bob Hawkins, an applications engineer at Kerk. "The length-to-diameter ratio of thread engagement required for AMI's machines is about 7:1, twice that of standard nuts. This presented a challenge in maintaining a constant thread fit. The challenge was amplified by the saturated environment in which the nut would operate." The Solution After a thorough application analysis, drawing upon years of experience, Kerk recommended a unique nut material capable of meeting all of AMI's requirements. "The thermal expansion coefficient of the nut material had to be roughly equivalent to that of stainless steel to prevent a binding condition while the machine was in operation. In addition, the nut material could not be hygroscopic, meaning a characteristic whereby something tends to absorb water." Kerk quickly came up with a custom solution that relied on a specialized nut, combined with one of the company's proprietary non-ball lead screws, which are manufactured from 303 stainless steel and produced with Kerk's exclusive precision rolling process.

AMI was particularly impressed by the cost effectiveness of the solution, and the high level of engineering expertise provided by Kerk. "Kerk is able to approach an application from the ground level and provide the highest quality and most cost-effective solution based on its requirements," said Aristi. "Our product delivery is now excellent with quicker than average turn-around on our blanket orders of 200 to 500 products."

AMI was also pleased with Kerk's customer service, which allowed the company to increase its production and meet growing demands. 

Kerk Motion Products

The fully enclosed Energy Tube is constructed with igumid HT, a pioneering polymer material that is unaffected by hot chips reaching high temperatures. Energy Tubes made from igumid HT are specifically designed for machine-tool applications, welding machines, plasma-cutting machines or any environment where objects such as scalding chips or metal fragments are prevalent. They are also an alternative to difficult-to-handle steel cable carriers.

Igus Inc.

MAE(r) brushless servomotors deliver high performance in a compact package to satisfy demanding power applications where space may be minimal and weight may be a factor. The servomotors can be equipped easily with Hall effect sensors and encoders to provide accurate position and speed feedback. Their compact design and reduced weight is made possible by optimized integration of copper in the stator's winding; a uniquely engineered rotor structure allowing maximum concentration of magnetic flux; and use of high-energy NdFeB permanent magnets in motor construction.

PennEngineering(r) Motion Technologies

In response to growing application demands, THK has designed a line of ceramic linear motion solutions. Ceramic products are strong enough for chemical environments and suitable for high-temperature applications. The products include the LM Guide Type RCR, the LM Guide Type RSR, the LM Guide Type HCR and the Ball Spline Type LT. THK ceramic LM guides and ball splines are suitable for use in medical equipment and semi-conductor manufacturing equipment.

THK America, Inc.

These Helical Planetary Precision Gearheads are designed for direct attachment to popular servo and stepper motors. They are suitable for packaging, medical, material handling, robotics, automotive, and many other applications. The gearheads feature patented planet carrier design, patented input and output sealing designs, and special heat and surface treatments. Constructed of long-lasting materials, all exposed gearhead parts are stainless steel. Housings are available in black anodized aluminum for standard applications and epoxy-coated for wet and washdown applications.

Boston Gear

The UtiliTrak PW Series Linear Guide is easy to install and its low-friction polymer wheels feature a high-grade synthetic lubricant and stainless steel studs. Chemical-resistant polymer allows the wheels to withstand harsh environments. Its polymer overmolded wheels carry loads up to 311N, and travel up to 1.5 meters per second. Eccentric and concentric studs allow customers to vary preload to a desired amount. Large thread diameters accommodate high installation torques, ensuring the wheels keep their adjusted preload value despite vibration.

Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation

MAE(r) brand HS34 hybrid stepper motors for industrial applications offer a robust design and rugged construction for high reliability and long service life. They enable accurate open loop control for high-performance positioning applications and have been optimized for superior torque characteristics and efficient operation. Low ratios of detent torque to holding torque deliver smooth and quiet operation and the fine positioning capability required for microstep operation. A top-to-bottom insulation system incorporating stator insulators and other components allows these motors to withstand internal temperatures up to 130C.

AMETEK Technical Industrial Products

The QA1 and QA2 quadrature axis modules for the RMC70 series motion controllers accept incremental encoder feedback and provide +/-10V control for rotary and linear position control applications using electric or hydraulic motors and actuators. Feedback inputs handle A, B and Z differential RS433 signals from quadrature encoders and feature wire break detection. Each axis also features isolated high-speed discrete inputs for registration, home and over-travel limits. In addition, each axis includes an isolated discrete input for drive fault detection, a solid state relay output for drive enable, and bi-color status LEDs with solid green indicating proper functioning and red flashing indicating a fault condition.

Delta Computer Systems

Danaher Motion introduces Version 1.3 of its NDC8 control platform for Automated Guided Vehicles (AVG). Version 1.3 couples extensive programming options and advanced diagnostics with a high degree of user-friendliness and flexibility. Because it makes use of the Soft PLC, CANopen and WLAN standards, integration with third-party solutions is greatly simplified, which helps extend the NDC8 platform's service life.

Danaher Motion

The RHI58 Series Incremental Rotary Encoders now offer pulse outputs up to 100,000 ppr. They provide a maximum frequency of 300 kHz with six outputs, and a cable connection. Additional features include a 10 mm or 12 mm diameter shaft bore, alarm output and 10-30 VDC or 5 VDC power. These hollow shaft encoders feature an industry standard 58 mm diameter housing with a mounting profile of less than two inches, allowing it to fit in tight locations. The hollow shaft configuration allows it to be mounted directly to the application's shaft without couplings, while the torque rest prevents it from rotating.

PennEngineering(r) Motion Technologies

The SinCos(r) SRM 64 Motor Feedback Systems with Hiperface8RS Interface offers reliable operation in temperatures ranging from ­20 up to 110C with high resistance to shock (100/10 g/ms) and vibration (20/10-2000 g/Hz). Hollow shaft bores are available for up to 14mm shafts. An IP65 rating ensures trouble-free operation in a wide range of industrial applications. These multi-turn servo motor feedback systems are well suited for applications requiring high resolution, or the Hiperface interface, in an industrial housing suitable for mounting externally to a servo motor.

Sick Stegmann, Inc.

Sprint Electric offers a versatile range of motor controllers designed for permanent magnet or shunt wound DC motors in a compact, easy to use DIN rail mounting package. The slim design of the single phase DC drives saves space and allows drive mounting adjacent to other control panel components. Easy to access adjustments and plug on screw terminals makes these units quick to install and run. Dual voltage supply and selectable AVF or tacho feedback are included in the standard features. The range includes three types: non-isolated, isolated 1 quadrant and isolated regenerative 4 quadrant DC drives.

Sprint Electric Ltd.

PITTMAN(r) brand ELCOM ST(r) Series 1300 slotted brushless DC servomotors can deliver more power in a smaller package to maximize design flexibility and satisfy application requirements where space may be minimal. Despite their small size (1.3"/33mm diameter), these brushless DC motors can achieve peak torque from 12.6 oz-in to 54.3 oz-in and continuous torque from 5 oz-in to 9 oz-in, depending on model. Robust rotor construction allows rotational speeds up to 8000 RPM. Three Hall sensors are incorporated as standard components to provide rotor position feedback for electronic commutation.

PennEngineering(r) Motion Technologies

The Model 800-1514 dual-axis servo amplifier is designed for current (torque) control of brushless servo motors. The amplifier accepts encoder and Hall feedback data from a wide range of servo motor types, including both Yaskawa Sigma-Mini and Panasonic Minas-A motors. Drive torque is controlled by a +/-10V command from a motion controller or PLC. Model 800-1514 provides independent control of two brushless motors in applications involving multiple drive axes. Typical applications lie in multi-axis equipment for semiconductor fabrication, test and measurement and automated assembly.

Copley Controls

For straightforward motion applications where primarily simple and fast mounting of a small encoder is decisive, Heidenhain now offers a new high quality exposed linear encoder package, the LIDA 200 series. These new exposed linear LIDA 200s offers two ways of simple mounting and are suitable for the low-end linear motor market. The encoders can be simply and quickly mounted via a scale tape which is supplied in rolls with reference marks and cut to the desired length by the customer, then secured directly on the mounting surface by means of its adhesive film.

Heidenhain Corporation

The AEGIS SGR(tm) Conductive MicroFiber(tm) Shaft Grounding Ring now includes a mounting adaptor to facilitate installation of the device on AC motors with shaft shoulders, slingers, bearing caps, or end-bell protrusions. Designed for use on any NEMA or IEC motor frame, the adaptor consists of a mounting plate to support the SGR and standoffs to provide clearance for bearing housings or slingers.

Electro Static Technology

This new miniature square motorized potentiometer provides greater reliability while using less space. Featuring a 1.550" square mounting flange, the design of the potentiometer's stepper motor incorporates 200 steps for a smoother output and longer service life. This motorized potentiometer is ideal for medical shutter control sensor applications. The motorized potentiometers utilize a co-molded conductive plastic element for a hard smooth-surface. In Spectrum's process the termination and resistance materials are simultaneously molded with the base substrate.

Spectrum Sensors & Controls Inc.

Siemens introduces three new lines of AC motors designed to meet or exceed NEMA standards. Offered in aluminum and cast iron frame configurations, these motors include high efficiency NEMA Premium(r) efficient designs to help motor users lower energy costs and extend service life. A unique die cast copper rotor and special stator design provide efficiency. The three new product lines include general purpose die cast aluminum, general purpose cast iron and severe duty cast iron frame motors for use in a wide variety of industrial applications.

Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.

The AMG LP (Low Profile) position and rate gimbal mounts provide ultra-precise angular position, rate, and acceleration for development and production testing of a wide range of systems. The AMB LP series is ideal for directing optics, lasers, antennas, and sensors at high speed to precise pointing angles. Typical applications include missile seeker test and calibration, electro-optical sensor and FLIR testing, optical testing of sensors in a vacuum, and angular testing of inertial sensors such as gyros, MEMS, and accelerometers.

Aerotech

The DSC4020 bipolar chopper drive has been designed for easy set up and use. It is ideal for development projects, just connect a single power supply and a motor and the drive is ready to run. Motor current is set using an on-board potentiometer. No external current setting resistors are required. This feature-packed drive provides all basic motor controls including full or half stepping of bipolar steppers, directional control, and output enable control. An oscillator circuit is standard on the drive with an on-board speed control potentiometer. In addition, external input/output signals allow complete remote control of all drive functions.

Haydon Switch & Instrument, Inc.

Ruland offers bellows couplings that combine stainless steel bellows and aluminum hubs for highly accurate performance in motion control applications. The properties of stainless steel bellows allow the coupling to flex easily, yet remain rigid under torsional loads. Parallel misalignment, angular misalignment and axial motion are accommodated by bellows. The combination of aluminum hubs with the bellows results in an extremely lightweight, low inertia coupling. Since the couplings have no moving parts, and zero backlash, a long maintenance free light is assured.

Ruland Manufacturing Co., Inc.

The Portescap h3 1.8-degree step motors are available in NEMA 17, 23 and 34 frame sizes. Various stack lengths are available in each frame size, and windings can be customized to suit individual application needs. The aluminum housing provides superior heat dissipation to create higher output torque during operation, and stator-enhanced magnets deliver up to 40% more torque in the same footprint. The h3 is a suitable step motor solution in any number of medical equipment applications and can also be used in textile, semiconductor and electronic assembly applications.

Portescap

PITTMAN(r) Series 9000 brush-commutated DC motors and gearmotors can deliver quiet and smooth operation over time for equipment used in data storage, medical/biotech, semiconductor processing, and automation applications, among countless others. Their modular construction provides users with the added capability to customize for particular requirements. The series 9000 motors and gearmotors incorporate seven-slot skewed armatures to minimize magnetic cogging (or reluctance torque) and provide smooth and quiet running operation.

AMETEK Technical & Industrial Products

Amacoil has introduced a reciprocating linear motion platform driven by a rolling ring drive which reciprocates automatically without requiring motor reversal. Using a control knob on the assembly, adjustments to linear speed are also possible -- without changing the motor speed or reducing gears. Mechanical control over speed and travel direction eliminates the need for electronics and programming. There are no hydraulics, or pneumatics and the linear drive is low maintenance requiring only light shaft lubrication once every three months.

Amacoil, Inc.

The Galil 4-axis SDM-20640 amplifier board is designed for microstepping four stepper motors. It attaches directly to the 96-pin DIN connector of the controller without the need for a cable. For 2-axis applications, Gail offers the SDM-20620. The compact 6.92" x 5.10" SDM-20640 includes four microstepping drives on a single board, with each amplifier able to drive a two-phase bipolar stepper motor operating at 18 VDC to 60 VDC at up to 3.5 Amps. The drives also produce 64 microsteps per full step or 256 steps per full cycle, resulting in 12,800 steps per revolution for a standard 200- step motor.

Electromate Industrial Sales Ltd.

The R-Series SSI output sensor includes options for synchronized 7500 kHz update rates and position accuracy as low as +/-20 microns. An internal measurement error-checking routine ensures high immunity to shock and vibration. The SSI output product comes standard with an IP 67 housing (IP 66 with integral cable), as well as ATEX-approved explosion-proof and NEMA 4X optional housings. The new sensor incorporates visual diagnostic LEDs to minimize troubleshooting effort and downtime that might otherwise be associated with the sensor.

MTS

Island Engineering, a company that provides motion control equipment and a wide array of engineering services to the advanced marine vehicle industry, has been using iglide T500 bearings for years, culminating in its specially engineered T-foils, ActiveSkegs(tm) and interceptors.

The T-foil system uses titanium flaps that pivot in order to stabilize motion on boats such as high-speed catamarans and on vessels capable of speeds up to 50 knots. The T-foil essentially is an inverted "T" -- similar to the T-tails on jets -- with flaps commanded by a central fly-by-wire computer system. The unit sends real-time commands to the T-foil flap and interceptor actuators telling them exactly how to position themselves, enabling the vessel to reduce motion caused by waves, drastically decreasing the incidence of seasickness. An ActiveSkeg(tm) is a stabilizing fin that keeps the craft on course. The boat will only stray up to +/-2 degrees off course, compared to up to +/-20 degrees without the Island Engineering technology.

The T-foil flaps, interceptors and ActiveSkeg(tm) all pivot on T500 bearings. Island Engineering choose the bearings for their high compressive strength and ability to withstand the adverse effects of saltwater. T500 bearings last twice as long as coated or metallic bearings in applications involving high radial pressures -- in excess of 8,700 pounds per square inch (PSI) -- and low bearing surface speeds such as the T-foil, which subject the bearings to 5,000 PSI and one cycle every three to six seconds. Island Engineering also benefits from the plastic construction and low moisture absorption of the T500 bearings, which enable them to be continually immersed in saltwater without corroding or failing.

Island Engineering saves money by using these bearings because they are an off-the-shelf solution, eliminating any need for an expensive, custom-made component. While failure in the field is minimal, T500 bearings are available to Island Engineering and its customers with overnight delivery, which greatly reduces time spent on maintenance.

"T500 is what I call a problem-solving bearing," said Rick Loheed, director of engineering for Island Engineering. "In the 6 years that we have been employing it and in the previous year's service on the T-foil, we have been impressed with its performance and with the service provided by igus and its sales force." Island Engineering uses 46 T500 bearings on each T-foil it manufactures.


Island Engineering's T-Foil, which stabilizes motion on boats such as high-speed catamarans, pivots on iglide(r) T500 bearings from igus(r).

Igus, Inc.

Canadian Industrial Equipment News November 2006

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