Integrated Linear Thruster
Steve Feketa
June 2012
Rev 5058-CO900B
Copyright © 2012 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
Agenda
Benefits and Features
Specifications
Accessories and Options
Applications
Frequently Asked Questions
Copyright © 2012 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
2
LDAT-Series Integrated Linear Thruster
The LDAT-Series Integrated Linear Thruster is a guided, servo controlled linear actuator
that is capable of carrying a load. It was developed to provide an out-of-the-box solution
for those applications that require high speed, high duty cycle, high reliability, and energy
efficiency.
Copyright © 2012 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
Integrated Linear Thruster Benefits
 Simplification

Eliminates weeks of engineering, design and
documentation time per custom designed actuator axis.

Reduces the amount of components that need to be
purchased from multiple vendors for custom actuators.

Eliminates the time needed to assemble a custom
actuator into a machine.

Simplifies axis set up
Out-Of-The-Box
VS
Build-Your-Own
Reduces Engineering, Purchasing and Assembly Efforts!
Copyright © 2012 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
Integrated Linear Thruster Benefits
Reliability
Having ONLY one wear item, the Integrated Linear Thruster offers a
much higher level of reliability than custom designed rotary to linear
motion actuators that have several wear items
Motor Bearings
Linear Bearing
Pulley Bearings
Gear Box Bearings
Gear Box Gears
Linear Bearings
Tooth Belt
Fewer Wear Parts. Less Maintenance. Longer Lasting
Copyright © 2012 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
Integrated Linear Thruster Benefits
Energy Savings
 Less moving mass
 No loss through rotary to linear conversion


Gear box
Tooth belt
Goal Is To Move A Pusher Plate
VS
BM05 ($1,280/yr Energy Consumption) vs BM03 ($260/yr Energy Consumption)
Copyright © 2012 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
Integrated Linear Thruster Benefits
Position Reliability
 No loss of position due to belt slippage
Copyright © 2012 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
LDAT-Series Integrated Linear Thruster
Easy To Size & Simulate
In Motion Analyzer
V6.0
Contact Application Engineering for life and load limits
Copyright © 2012 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
LDAT-Series Integrated Linear Thruster
Pre-Engineered
Reduces engineering time  faster to market
Out Of The Box Solution
No assembly required  reduce build time
Easy To Simulate Performance In MA
Less engineering time & greater confidence
Best In Class Durability
Long lasting  increased productivity
Best In Class Serviceability
Less downtime  Increased productivity
Best In Class Integration
Fully integrated with RSLogix5000  easy to
set up axis
Copyright © 2012 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
Integrated Linear Thruster Features
 Heart of linear thruster is high force
iron core linear motor
 Provides both high speed and
high acceleration
Rotating
SpeedTEC
Connectors
Slider
Linear Guide
 Feedback is achieved using magnetic
linear encoder
 Easy setup with SpeedTEC connectors
 Linear guidance is provided by a highly
durable linear guide - mounted to the
slider
 Payload mounting is made possible
with tapped holes on the end of the
thruster slider
Linear Motor
Integrated Feedback
Read Head
Slider Wiper
Integrated Feedback
Scale Tape
Payload Mounting
Slider End Plate
Copyright © 2012 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
Integrated Linear Thruster Options
Optional incremental
or absolute linear
encoder
Optional stainless steel strip cover for added bearing protection
Copyright © 2012 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
11
LDAT-Series Integrated Linear Thruster
Braking Option
 3rd Party Brake Available
Orttech (www.orttech.com)
Pneumatic
Electric
Copyright © 2012 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
LDAT-Series Integrated Linear Thruster
Accessories
Counterbalance Kit
for Vertical Applications
Clevis Mounts
Rod Ends
Foot Mounts
Payload Bracket
Copyright © 2012 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
LDAT-Series Integrated Linear Thruster
Specifications By Frame Size
Longer travels and higher forces may be available upon request. Contact the factory for details.
Copyright © 2012 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
14
LDAT-Series Integrated Linear Thruster
Specifications & Certifications
 230 or 460V 3-phase voltage capable
 +/- 0.03mm repeatability
 UL Registered
 CE Marked
 RoHS compliant
 Supported in RSLogix 5000 version 20
Copyright © 2012 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
15
LDAT-Series Integrated Linear Thruster
Environmental
Description
Ambient Operating Temperature
Range
Range
0 to 40 degrees C
Ambient Storage Temperature Range -30 to 70 degrees C
Relative Humidity
5 to 95% non-condensing
Vibration
2.5 G peak @ 30 to 2000Hz
Shock
20 G @ 6 ms duration
IP30 with strip cover
Corrosion Resistant and Washdown versions
possible (contact factory)
Copyright © 2012 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
16
LDAT-Series Integrated Linear Thruster
Replacement/Wear Items
 Linear Thruster has two potential wear items:


Linear bearings
Optional strip cover
 Items offered for field replacement will be shippable within 1 day, including:




Linear bearings
Strip covers
Incremental linear encoders
Slider end plates
 Factory repairable items:




Linear bearings
Strip covers
Encoder replacement
Motor replacement
Copyright © 2012 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
LDAT-Series Integrated Linear Thruster
Servo Drive Compatibility
 LDAT with Incremental Encoder
Kinetix 3
 Kinetix 300
 Kinetix 2000
 Kinetix 6000

 LDAT with Absolute Encoder

Kinetix 300

Kinetix 5500 end 2013
Kinetix 6200
 Kinetix 6500
 Ultra 3000

Thrusters can be integrated with other manufacturer’s controls
(Simple 3-phase motor with 3rd party feedback)
Copyright © 2012 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
Linear Thruster Applications
 Use where rotary motion is
converted to linear motion to push or
pull an object or carry a load over a
distance less than 1m.

Belt systems

Linkage systems

Or, where pneumatic systems are
used and higher and/or more reliable
throughput is desired
Copyright © 2012 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
Linear Thruster Applications
Drop Gate
Horizontal
Pouching
Cartoning
Top Load
Case Packing
End Load
Case Packing
Tray and Case
Forming
In/Out-Feeds
Horizontal Motion
Conveyors
Flying Fillers
Stretch Blow
Molding
Copyright © 2012 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
Frequently Asked Questions
 Are these field repairable?
 Yes, the only wear items, being the linear bearing and strip cover,
are field repairable.
 In addition, the INCREMENTAL encoder would also be replaceable.
 Can you re-lubricate the bearings?
 Yes, the bearings will have access for re-lubricating.
 When considering using a Linear Thruster, is there anything we should
know?
 Yes, because these are often used in high acceleration applications,
the customer needs to evaluate the forces caused by the moving
mass and make sure the machine can handle these forces.
Copyright © 2012 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.
Integrated Linear Thrusters
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Rev 5058-CO900B
Copyright © 2012 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.