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Stepper Motor Linear Actuators / Motorized Lead Screws

Stepper Motor Linear Actuators / Motorized Lead Screws
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Stepper Motor Linear Actuators / Motorized Lead Screws

Product catalog summary
Technology Overview
Thomson offers two configurations for motorized lead screws: Rotating Screw (MLS) and Rotating Nut (MLN). The MLS configuration involves the motor rotating a lead screw to translate a load attached to the lead nut, while the MLN configuration rotates a nut within the motor body. These designs are suitable for applications requiring external guidance or design flexibility.
Rotating Screw Configuration
This design is ideal for rapid prototyping and customization, featuring a patented Taper-Lock design for connecting the lead screw to the motor shaft. It allows for modular assembly from various lead screw, lead nut, and motor options.
Rotating Nut Configuration
This design integrates a lead nut into the motor rotor, maximizing screw diameter and load capacity. It is suitable for applications where visible rotation is undesirable.
Motorized Lead Screws
Thomson's motorized lead screws combine a hybrid stepper motor with a precision lead screw, offering improved efficiency, increased torque density, and reduced noise. The Taper-Lock technology ensures secure and aligned connections.
Thomson Advantage
Thomson motors provide more torque with less heat loss, allowing higher power input with lower heat generation. The Taper-Lock coupling simplifies maintenance and increases configurability.
Ordering Keys
The document provides a detailed ordering key for selecting the appropriate motorized lead screw assembly, including series, motor size, screw diameter, linear travel, accuracy grade, and more.
Application Examples
Stepper motor linear actuators are used in various applications such as XY stages, fluid pumps, robotic grippers, horizontal positioning, and 3D printing. They reduce component count, minimize space, and simplify assembly and maintenance.
Sizing and Selection Guidelines
Guidelines are provided for determining the maximum permissible screw length based on motor speed, screw end fixity, critical speed, and column loading. Charts are included to assist in selecting the appropriate lead screw based on load and speed requirements.
Lead Screw Sizes
The document lists available lead screw sizes in both inch and metric units, detailing linear travel per full step and compatibility with different motor sizes.
Specifications Overview
The document provides detailed specifications for Thomson's stepper motor linear actuators, focusing on lead screws and motor configurations. Key materials include 300 Series Stainless Steel for lead screws and internally lubricated acetal (POM) or PEEK for lead nuts. Standard lead accuracy is 0.010 in./ft., with precision accuracy at 0.003 in./ft.
Lead Screw and Nut Details
Lead screws are available in various diameters and leads, both in inch and metric measurements. The document specifies the maximum axial load based on a 10,000-hour life expectancy and provides guidelines for optimal performance, such as maintaining loads below the design load for best positional repeatability.
Motor Specifications
The motors are categorized by NEMA sizes (8, 11, 14, 17, 23), each with specific holding torque, voltage, current, resistance, and inductance values. The step angle is consistently 1.8°, with step angle accuracy at ±0.09°. The document also outlines the maximum axial load and pre-load for each motor size.
Assembly and Performance
Backlash specifications are provided for standard and anti-backlash nuts, with maximum backlash for standard nuts at 0.010 in. and zero for anti-backlash nuts. The document includes performance diagrams that illustrate linear speed versus axial load under ideal conditions.
End Machining and Customization
Standard end machining options are categorized into types A, B, C, and D, with specific dimensions and compatible lead screws listed. Custom end-machining options are available upon request.
Additional Features
Optional features include rear-mounted optical encoders and various motor windings. The document emphasizes the importance of contacting Thomson for custom configurations and additional details not covered in the standard specifications.
Specifications:
The document provides specifications for stepper motor linear actuators, focusing on NEMA 23 motors with options for single and double stack types, both with rotating nut and rotating screw configurations. The recommended maximum thrust force is 200 lbs (890 N), with specific lead screw length limitations based on diameter.
Inch Lead Screw Options:
Various lead screw options are detailed, including diameters of 0.313 and 0.375 inches, with corresponding lead, travel per step, and screw codes.
Features and Benefits:
The actuators offer a variety of inch and metric lead screws, rear-mounted optical encoders, and are designed for optimal torque output when driven at 1.41 x RMS current.
Performance Diagrams:
The document includes theoretical performance diagrams showing linear speed versus axial load, assuming ideal conditions with a 24 VDC power supply.
Product Selection Overview
Steps for selecting the appropriate stepper motor linear actuator include choosing the configuration (MLS or MLN), motor size, lead screw configuration, and nut type. Proper alignment and mounting are emphasized to ensure system longevity and performance.
Nut Selection:
A detailed table provides information on various nut options, including part numbers, compatible motors, and design load capacities. Different materials and configurations are available to meet specific application needs.
General Nut Dimensions:
Dimensions for various nut series are provided, including RSF, MTS, XC, SN, AFT, and SNAB, with specific measurements for each series.
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Catalog excerpts

Stepper Motor Linear Actuators / Motorized Lead Screws-1

Stepper Motor Linear Actuators Pre-Engineered Motorized Lead Screw Assemblies for Precision Applications www.thomsonlinear.com A REGAL REXNORD BRAND

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Stepper Motor Linear Actuators / Motorized Lead Screws-2

Stepper Motor Linear Actuator Assemblies Combining cutting-edge motor, lead screw and encoder technologies Thomson offers two basic configurations – rotating screw (MLS) and rotating nut (MLN). These open architecture motorized lead screws suit applications where external guidance is present or a high level of design flexibility is required. Technology Overview Rotating screw assemblies (MLS) actuate by having the motor rotate a lead screw and translate a load that is attached to the lead nut. Rotating nut assemblies (MLN) actuate by rotating a nut within the motor body. Motion is achieved by...

 Open the catalog to page 2
Stepper Motor Linear Actuators / Motorized Lead Screws-3

Stepper Motor Linear Actuators Motorized Lead Screws Thomson motorized lead screws combine a hybrid stepper motor and a precision lead screw together in one compact envelope. Patented Taper-Lock technology allows quick decoupling and secure, properly aligned connections. This combination offers several advantages over a traditional solution. Improved Efficiency Thomson provides a more efficient motorized solution to reduce power consumption, improve operating battery life, and decrease motor footprint. With this improved efficiency, an increase in system load performance or a reduction in power...

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Stepper Motor Linear Actuators / Motorized Lead Screws-4

Thomson AdvantageThe Thomson Taper-Lock Fixing the motor to the lead screw usually requires a coupling assembly (A), a counter-bore press fit (B) or a hollow shaft press fit (C). The assembly process may also entail the use of adhesives or welding, but the bottom line is that all these solutions make it difficult or impossible to change lead screws or perform maintenance. Thomson has solved this issue with our patented Taper-Lock coupling (D) that requires only a single retention fastener. Coupling assembly • space demanding • requires more external components • reduced stroke Counter-bore press...

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Stepper Motor Linear Actuators / Motorized Lead Screws-5

Stepper Motor Linear Actuators Ordering Keys MLS/MLN Ordering Key 1. Series MLS = Rotating screw MLN = Rotating nut B = Double X = Custom single2 Y = Custom double2 7. Accuracy grade S = Standard 0.010 in/ft (250 pm/300 mm) 8. Lead screw overall length1,2 0X000 = X.000 in (ex: 06000 = 6.000 in) XXX00 = XXX.00 mm (when metric diameter is selected, ex: 15000 = 150.00 mm) N = No coating on lead screw T = PTFE-coated lead screw4 1. For available standard motors, see pages 14-28. 2. To be assigned by Thomson only. 3. For compatible lead screws, see pages 10-11. 4. PTFE coating not available for MLN...

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Stepper Motor Linear Actuators / Motorized Lead Screws-6

Application Examples These common applications show that stepper motor linear actuators reduce the total number of components in your design, while minimizing space requirements, and making assembly and maintenance quicker and easier. Examples are shown for both configurations - rotating screw (MLS) and rotating nut (MLN). Fluid Pumps Regardless of the mounting configuration, a stepper motor linear actuator can increase pump pressure, reduce equipment footprint and more accurately dispense fluid. Stepper motor linear actuators optimize XY stage designs with their compactness and power.

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Stepper Motor Linear Actuators / Motorized Lead Screws-7

Stepper Motor Linear Actuators Horizontal Positioning Cameras and other measurement devices need to be in just the right place at just the right time. MLN delivers reliable horizontal positioning and length selections to get your horizontal positioning job done right. Utilizing a stepper motor linear actuator on a 3D printer can eliminate the need for couplings, bearings and supports while increasing stroke length and print volume. Robotic Gripper MLN configurations excel in gripping applications, rotating and positioning gripper heads and attachments with ease.

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Stepper Motor Linear Actuators / Motorized Lead Screws-8

Sizing and Selection Guidelines How to Select Motor and Lead Screw For a basic sizing determination, use the motor performance charts throughout the brochure to select the appropriate lead screw based on your load and speed requirements. Given the force and speed requirements of 20 lbf and 1 in/s, respectively, the ideal screw is a 250118 or 250125 with this motor. Note: Simplified performance diagrams are theoretical only and assume ideal conditions with a 24 VDC power supply, standard material lead nut and a moderate length, non-lubricated lead screw. Higher loads and speeds can be achieved....

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Stepper Motor Linear Actuators / Motorized Lead Screws-9

Stepper Motor Linear Actuators Sizing and Selection Guidelines How to Determine Maximum Permissible Screw Length For MLS and MLN configurations, in order to determine the maximum possible lead screw length for your stepper motor linear actuator assembly, the following charts can be used. These charts take in to consideration the maximum rotational speed and compression load as well as the end fixity of your system. Critical Speed Motor Speed vs. Maximum Screw Length Column Load Compression Force vs. Maximum Screw Length ML23 MAX LOAD Maximum Compression Load [lbs] Maximum Compression Load [N]...

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Stepper Motor Linear Actuators / Motorized Lead Screws-10

Lead Screw Sizes Inch Lead Screws S = Rotating Screw (MLS), N = Rotating Nut (MLN) Motor MLSX8 Linear Travel / Full Step [µ in.] Lead Designator Diameter Designator [hundredths of in. diameter] 18 1. Some leads may not be available in high-performance nut material or some anti-backlash nuts. Contact Thomson for more detail. 2. Fine-pitched lead screws may have substantially lower load capacities compared to traditional lead screws. 3. Lead screw not available in precision grade accuracy (P). 4. Hybrid threadform consisting of diameter in [in] and lead in [mm] (example: 0.25 in x 2 mm). Note:...

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Stepper Motor Linear Actuators / Motorized Lead Screws-11

Metric Lead Screws S = Rotating Screw (MLS), N = Rotating Nut (MLN) Linear Travel / Full Step [pm] Note: Not all available lead screws are shown above. Please contact Thomson for more details. 1. Some leads may not be available in high-performance nut material or some anti-backlash nuts. Contact Thomson for more detail. 2. Lead screw not available in precision grade accuracy (P).

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Stepper Motor Linear Actuators / Motorized Lead Screws-12

1. Contact Thomson for optional lead screw coatings. 2. Depending on lead, nut material and lubrication. 3. Depends on nut, load and orientation. 4. For best positional repeatability, load should be kept well below design load of nut. 5. Max. axial load based on a L10 life of 10000 hours of continuous motion at speeds of 100 to 300 RPM. 6. Can be adjusted based on application requirements. If axial load exceeds pre-load of motor, motor shaft may deflect up to 0.003 in. (0.08 mm) for configurations with axial load pulling away from motor face. 7. Nut fit can be adjusted depending on backlash requirements....

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All Thomson Industries, Inc. catalogs and technical brochures

  1. Lead Screws

    52  Pages

  2. Linear Actuators

    246  Pages

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