Thomson Tech Tips Videos

Here at Thomson, we have customers who are frequently looking to replace worn ball screw assemblies but they don’t know what kind of assembly they have. I will show you how to identify your existing ball screw assembly…

Often the ideal design solution is not about finding the fastest, sturdiest, most accurate or even the least expensive option. Rather, the ideal solution is the optimal balance of performance, life and cost...

Electric Linear Actuators are often subjected to very nasty environments. Whether it is dust, dirt, sand, or water, you need to have confidence that it will hold up to the intended environment. The IEC published their standard 60529, also known as the international protection code or IP code...

Thomson Engineers show how to apply limit switch tracks to all linear units.  If you order your limit switch kit with your linear unit, it will come pre-installed.  But if you adjust those sensors or if you order it separately, it is very easy to post-install. Switches can be normally closed or opened and come with a cover strip for protection.

Electric Linear Actuators are designed to handle loads axially.  One of the common failures of Linear Actuators is side-loading - a force perpendicular to the axis of rotation.  The longer the stroke, the more susceptible the actuator is to binding or a bent screw...

All linear guides and bearings require application of lubrication. Take a cloth with solvent and remove any old contaminates and lubrication that maybe in place.  Once that is done, you can inject the grease fitting directly into the carriage or take a lubricant and apply it directly to the shaft...

Learn how to correctly service the Thomson stepper motor linear actuator in the field. The precision-engineered units combine a hybrid stepper motor and lead screw in one, compact envelope to provide clear advantages with a solution that is smaller, stronger, and more efficient than alternate technologies.

Thomson introduces the benefits of the Movopart M75 belt driven, prism guide unit that is set up with a wash down option.  The prism guides are an engineered polymer that slide along the extrusion.  These types of bearings are ideal for shock loads, low noise, or have a wash down or caustic environment.

Spring-set electromagnetic power-off brakes provide a safe, efficient means of stopping and/or holding a load in the absence of power. While the field (electromagnet) assembly is fixed and prevented from rotating...

Thomson introduces the benefits of synchronizing multiple lifting columns using a single control device. This video shows how to zero-out the encoder feedback devices on all columns - even with offset loading. Can be used in applications such as large ergonomic workstations or medical table beds.

The Thomson WhisperTrak actuators can be ordered with a digital feedback option that allows for synchronization of two or four units.  In order to accomplish this, you will need a Thomson control and WhisperTrak with digital feedback options - this is a quaduature signal...

Thomson introduces the benefits of the WH SpeedLine wheel guided, belt-driven linear motion system. These units are ideal for high speed applications with multiple orientations or multiple axis configurations. They come in 50 and 120 mm profile widths and can reach 10 m/s with a stroke length up to 11 meters.

The WM family has a unique feature of an internal movable ball screw support, which allows for long lengths and high speeds. The WM Units are ideal where stiffness, rigidity, and/or precision may be required - such as machine tool automation or test and measure.  Thomson can provide units up to 11 meters in length...

CB Series combination clutches and brakes accurately start and stop loads driven by a continuously rotating power source. CB units operate from a single AC or DC pulse, stopping the load within ±½° noncumulative at speeds up to 1800 RPM, depending on size. Each unit is pre-engineered and pre-assembled...