WHAT’S NEW Linear Drive for Mills and Smelters

Ascolectric of Brantford, Ont., has introduced a rodless linear drive system which moves heavy out-of- balance loads without additional guidance.

Called the Power Beam, the cylinder can move loads of up to 273 kg over a vertical or horizontal distance of up to 6.2 m.

Pneumatically driven, the work head is supported on needle roller bearings which run on steel rails. Nylon-coated, high-tensile steel cables, running over pul leys at each end of the unit, drive the work head.

An inertial control, which avoids stress peaks by using deceleration distances and cylinder exhaust management, is externally adjustable.