Design Days kick off with
Linear Motion Masterclass

More than 60 delegates attended the Linear Motion Masterclass – the first in Eureka’s series of Design Days – on 1 March.

The morning sessions consisted of a series of technical presentations. Speakers included Dr Jiabin Wang of Sheffield University and Nick Campbell of Inca Digital.

After defining the parameters of linear motion, Dr Wang suggested some future applications of the technology – including a linear electromagnetic actuator for an active vehicle suspension. A second potential application is a linear reciprocating actuator to improve the efficiency of a compressor for a refrigerator.

“Refrigerators account for 14% of all electricity consumption in the UK,” he said. “By improving the efficiency of the compressor you could save energy.”

Nick Campbell spoke about how the inherent speed and accuracy of linear motors are crucial to the performance of his company’s products – flatbed digital printers.

They are able to deliver speeds up to 3.5m/s and deposit separate jets of ink just 40 microns apart.

“Print head technology evolves very quickly,” he said. “The motion system you put around it soon becomes obsolete too.”

The event’s four sponsors – Aerotech, Igus, Renishaw and THK – later ran a series of hands-on workshops. Aerotech covered the basics of linear motors; Igus explained linear plain bearings and chain products; Renishaw’s workshop highlighted the principles of linear encoders; and THK dealt with linear systems in extreme conditions.

Matthew Aldridge of Igus said: “It was like a trade show on steroids. The idea was to focus on engineering rather than sales – and this seemed to attract a higher level of responsibility than the typical trade show visitor.”

Delegates were also pleased with the event.

Steve Spurgeon, of LDS Test & Measurement, said it was “a very useful day representing excellent value for money”.

For Ben Jeppesen of Instron: “All the papers were interesting – Dr Wang’s from a ‘concepts’ point of view, the others on design details. Workshops were all useful and thought-provoking.”

William Barraclough of Reliance Precision was full of praise for one presentation in particular: “Inca’s paper was an excellent blend of technical, case study and management, very well delivered. Priceless.”

Presentations from the event will be available for download.

For a full list of forthcoming Design Days, return to the home page.