BSA Releases Bearing Brief on Understanding Linear Actuators

BSA Releases Bearing Brief on Understanding Linear Actuators The Bearing Specialists Association (BSA) has released a new addition to its growing body of single-topic Bearing Briefs, Understanding Linear Actuators. The latest single-topic publication in a growing body of technical information designed by BSA distributor members and participating manufacturers to deliver expertise to meet the needs of the end user as well as bearing industry professionals, Understanding Linear Actuators addresses a technology increasingly used to bring new linear motion products to market. Understanding Linear Actuators covers the basic design and function of electrically driven actuators, paying particular attention to the primary differences in the support structure, the drive and the linear bearing. These three considerations ultimately drive the performance of the actuator, including the velocity, acceleration, load capacity, length, precision, accuracy and reliability. The use of linear actuators can reduce the time it takes to get product to market, consolidate suppliers and reduce risk -- all of which can also lead to reduced costs. The Bearing Brief includes brief discussions of Drive Systems and Linear Bearing Systems as well as a Selection Guide. Like all other BSA Bearing Briefs, Understanding Linear Actuators is available free by downloading from the BSA website, www.bsahome.org. Bearing Briefs are a program of BSA's Educational Services Committee. These special bulletins present summarized information on topics of interest to the bearings industry. Previous reports have included Bearing Repair, Bearing Installation Fitting, Ceramic Bearings, Wear Sleeves and Other Shaft Repair Options, Vibration Analysis, Seal Selection, Load Ratings and Bearing Life, The Domestic Bearing Industry: Investing in the Future, Status of Bearing Load Ratings, History of Adhesives, Plane Bearings, A Brief History of Bearings, Linear Bearings, Bearings for the Food and Beverage Industry, Ball Screws as Positioning Actuators, Spherical Plane Bearings, Planetary Roller Screws, Split Roller Bearing Technology and Bearing Mounting Tools. Bearing Briefs are just one of a variety of education and training programs and publications provided by the Association. BSA is the "must belong to organization for authorized bearing distributors." An international service and educational organization of distributors representing a total of almost 100 companies distributing factory-warranted ball-, roller-, and anti-friction bearings and invited manufacturers of bearings and related products, the association's mission says, "BSA is the forum to enhance networking and knowledge sharing and promote the sale of bearings through authorized distributors." For more information on BSA contact the BSA office at (630) 858-3838; fax (630) 790-3095; email info@bsahome.org or visit the association website at www.bsahome.org.