Anti-backlash actuators

2nd Quarter 2011 Electrical switching & drive systems & components

Backlash occurs when the motor driving an actuator reverses its load direction. If there is a gap between the lifting screw and the worm gear thread, detrimental screw movement occurs. Typical load-reversing applications where vibrations produce constant movement between the screw and lifting nut are in satellite tracking, plastic and sheet metal processes. This damages the threads and causes premature wear.

To reduce screw to nut backlash to a minimum, Duff-Norton developed a range of anti-backlash actuators featuring a separate anti-backlash nut. These offer smooth, precise motion control and reduce worm gear wear. They also play a dual role as an internal load safety device. They have the ability to lock and hold a load, thereby eliminating the need for brake motors.

The design allows the backlash to be adjusted to the minimum practical value. As wear occurs, the actuator can be easily adjusted, without any disassembly, to maintain the backlash at its original minimum value.

When an actuator is under load, the lifting screw threads are supported by the worm gear threads. The anti-backlash nut is pinned to the worm gear and adjusted downwards by the shell cap, forcing the bottom thread surfaces against the upper thread surfaces of the lifting screw. Thus backlash between the lifting screw and worm gear threads is reduced to a minimum.

For more information contact Kevin Hoy, Yale Engineering Products, +27 (0)11 794 2910, [email protected], www.yalejhb.co.za

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