Hepcomotion says its new PSD80 screw-driven linear actuator is very versatile thanks to a range of screw options. A high-lead model, for example, allows direct coupling of a cost-effective stepper motor. The unit can also be specified with opposing left- and right-hand carriages as a double-acting version. As a result, the application scope ranges from light pick-and-place and assembly operations involving XYZ movements to instrument positioning systems. In double-acting' formats the units can be used for operating biparting doors and shutters.
The PSD80 was primarily developed by Hepcomotion around the need for a low-cost Z axis for lighter load applications. It is designed to complement the company's established PSD120 ball screw actuator and PDU2/PDU2M belt-driven units. In comparison with many other products on the market, the PSD80 requires little or no maintenance, providing long and reliable service even without lubrication.
Lead options for the new actuator range from 4mm to 70mm, with the 25mm lead said to be particularly useful for Z axis applications; where higher-speed pick-and-place performance is required the 70mm lead can satisfy this need. When directly coupled to a stepper motor the 70mm lead screw option will allow speeds approaching 1m/sec to be achieved. Its competitive price is said to make it a viable alternative to single-position pneumatic-driven Z axes. Indeed, for such an application the PSD80 is claimed to provide a better response time as well as greater consistency and positioning accuracy.
The Herculane linear motion wheel technology that was introduced with the PDU2 belt-driven family of actuators is also responsible for the fit-and-forget performance of the PSD80. As standard, the PSD80 is supplied as a closed unit to prevent debris from compromising its reliability. However, for applications where dirt ingress is not a design consideration, an open-format version is available. In both forms the unit can also be specified as a slave for applications where two units are to be used in parallel.
A typical multi-axis application for the PSD80 would involve fitting the screw-driven unit to a single PDU2M high moment load unit that is providing the Y-axis movement. This allows two standard PDU2 belt-driven actuators to be used in parallel in the X axis. The whole assembly can then be mounted onto a Hepcomotion MCS framework to provide a highly cost-effective XYZ system that would typically be stepper motor-driven.
The application flexibility of the PSD80 is also enhanced by its availability as a completely corrosion-resistant product; the screw is stainless steel as standard. It can also be specified as a double-acting version where two carriages are linked by left- and right-hand screws. In addition to door or hatch actuation, this option is also useful for systems that involve the positioning of opposing carriages, typically seen in measuring or sensing applications.
For applications requiring greater positioning accuracy, the PSD80 actuator can be supplied with precision ball screws.
For more information, visit www.hepcomotion.com
