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Linear units & linear axes by isel: Proven quality in industry & engineering

Maximum flexibility thanks to individual processing, time savings through plug-in solutions, customised linear systems from one source, less dirt through closed systems: isel linear units will inspire you with numerous advantages. All components are manufactured by isel in Germany, are subject to strict quality control and are perfectly matched to one another. Whether automation, mechanical engineering, the automotive industry, medical technology, the semiconductor industry - wherever CNC machines are in operation - isel linear units are an absolute must.

Individual configurations for flexible production

Have your machines their own control systems with matching motors? Through their individual ends, it is possible to adapt isel linear axes to the respective motor connection and in this way also to mount them on individual customer engines. Existing systems can be re-used so that there are no additional expenses in addition to the costs for the linear unit.

Plug-in solutions for quick production

Is your production volume high and the time extremely tight? Isel linear technology is delivered plug-in ready and can be quickly and easily integrated into the existing system. All components come from our own production and can be delivered very quickly as required. Valuable working time is saved and the machine throughput is significantly increased.

Closed systems for clean room processes

Do you manufacture semiconductors or other products in the clean room? All isel linear units are also available for clean rooms. By combining low-particle components of the linear system with oil suitable for the clean room, particle emissions are significantly reduced. The linear units are certified by the Fraunhofer Institute.

 

Linear units by isel: Sample applications axis constructions

Isel linear axes are based on sophisticated linear technology, which is permanently further developed with many years of experience and numerous specific customer requirements. We are now able to offer a suitable PICK & PLACE linear system for every application and to tailor bespoke solutions to customer requirements. Our value for money is unbeatable due to our high production depth. We are also happy to produce a precise linear unit just for your company.

 

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isel linear units: Start your price inquiry now

Maybe you do not need an individual linear solution and already know whether you need a linear axis with spindle drive, belt drive or linear motor? Then choose from our extensive product range the model which is suitable for you quickly and easily. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us.

Linear units with spindle drive

Plug-in modules for light machine construction, handling technology and factory automation, manufacturing according to customer specifications

Configurator / LES 4
1 track, 75 mm wide, motor can be mounted sideways
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Configurator / LES 6
2 track, 150 mm wide, motor can be mounted sideways
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Configurator / LES 5
2 track, 225 mm wide, integrated motor
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Configurator / iLE 20/20
for increased payloads and feed forces.
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Linear units with belt drive

Fast and accurate positioning and transport of medium-sized work-pieces in assembly automation, handling and machine handling

Configurator / LEZ 1
The most economical, simplest & narrowest axis, guided on both sides, on request up to 6,000 mm
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Configurator / LEZ 2
Flat axis, can be fastened from above, length up to 6,000 mm
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Configurator / LEZ 3
High load-bearing, sliding carriages can be fitted on top & bottom, motor modules can be flanged right and left, length up to 6,000
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Configurator / LEZ 9
Motor modules can be flanged right & left, inductive limit switches, servo-motor
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Cross table/Linear table

Cross table 10/20
XY linear units LES 5 for heavy loads each equipped with four linear slides and by servomotor with ball screw drive
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Accessories
as an example T-slot slide plate LES 6 Limit switches, shaft couplings, connecting angles and much more.
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The most important questions regarding linear axes: The isel team answers…

Our many years of expertise and performance are based on the in-depth know-how of our employees, who will be happy to explain the most important issues on linear technology.

Linear units in general

1. What makes isel linear units different from the linear axes of other suppliers?

All linear modules are manufactured by isel in Germany and are perfectly matched to each other and to isel's linear guides. isel customers receive a complete linear system with control and motor from a single source, and special designs are also possible. Fast delivery of spare parts and a contact for all technical aspects of the linear system make isel's linear technology the all-round care package for industry and mechanical engineering.

2. How is a linear unit built?

The drive elements of CNC machines differ according to the type of application. Depending on the requirements, they are either driven by stepping motors or maintenance-free servo-motors, with step motors generally being used in simple applications and servo-motors in more demanding processes. The latest CNC machines are now also powered by linear motors.

3. How do linear axes work?

Used in industry, automation, mechanical engineering, automotive industry, medical technology, training facilities and the semiconductor industry, linear units convert a rotating movement into a linear motion. Linear units are often used in areas that require very precise work, for example in milling, dosing and lasering and 3D printing.

4. How is a linear unit designed?

Spindle pitch, spindle length and spindle diameters are among the most important criteria for the design of a linear system. Furthermore, the desired feed rate, the mass of the parts to be moved, and the vertical or linear arrangement, i.e. the position of the axes, are very important. In addition, the total length of the unit must be extended for the desired travel distance because the slides used influence the travel path. Calculation bases can be found here.

5. What are the features of a good linear unit?

Good linear axes also operate extremely precisely with high repeatability and positioning accuracy under high speed and load. They are low-maintenance, robust and extendible with other axes. For a high machine throughput, the delivery times, the speed of spare parts procurement and a simple system integration and assembly play an important role. Plug-in linear modules, as offered by isel, offer the advantage that they can be integrated into the existing system technology in no time. If the linear axis is implemented outside of machine tools, attention should also be paid to the closed nature and compactness of the linear unit.

6. How quick is linear technology?

The speed of linear units depends on the drive technology. While ball screw drives cover 250 mm per second, the speed of belt feeds is still 1 m per second. The highest speed is achieved by linear motors that can cover up to 4 m per second.

7. What is the cost of a linear unit for the metre covered?

Similar to the speed, the metre price of a linear unit also depends on the type of drive system. As a high-tech drive, the linear motor is the most expensive with a metre price of 2000 €. The price per metre for ball screw drives is between 600 € and 800 €, the belt drive is the cheapest from 300 € to 400 €.

8. What accessories are available for linear axes?

Shaft couplings, connecting angles, slide and cross table plates, coupling housing and shaft slide: The accessories for linear systems are diverse and depend on the particular application. The necessary module technology for linear units is available separately in the isel shop. So too are external limit switches, spindle support, gas pressure springs and motors with brake.

9. How are linear axes fixed?

In the aluminium profiles, the rear T-grooves are generally prepared for the fastening using sliding nuts, T-slot nuts or threaded rails.

10. What is the role of linear axes?

The rollers used for linear units are so-called linear bearings which are installed in the slide and lie directly on the guide. The balls of the bearings move close together, giving the necessary stability to the linear movement.

11. Can you build a linear unit yourself?

This depends on the size and type of the linear technology. In the hobby and model area, linear axes are often constructed by people themselves. The right linear accessories are available in the isel shop. For larger applications in mechanical engineering, industrial engineering and automation, it makes more sense to work with fully assembled linear modules.

Drive technology in linear axes

12. How are linear units driven?

A difference is made between linear units with spindle drive, belt drive and direct drive. The spindle drive and the belt drive are driven by step motors or servomotors with or without position feedback, depending on the requirements and application. These are fitted directly onto the linear units. With the isel linear systems LES 4 and LES 6, lateral and with LES 5, integrated assemblies are also possible. This ensures a space-saving integration of the motor into the machine tool. Another option is an installation with brake, on the one hand in the motor module, on the other hand in the extension of the spindle. The direct drives are linear systems with integrated linear motors. This is where the motor is located directly in the slide, hence the name Direct Drive. The magnets are mounted on the linear guide. Brakes are also available for the linear motors.

13. What is a linear unit with spindle drive?

A linear axis with spindle drive consists of a bend-resistant aluminium profile, a linear guide rail, a ball screw, a ball screw nut and a slide with continuous ball race. The rollers of the spindle and the loops of the nut are manufactured at isel, the ends of the spindle are machined and the guides are cut. An internally mounted spindle has a diameter of 16 mm in the pitches 2.5 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 10 mm and 20 mm. The lengths in the 100 mm grid are 290 mm - 3490 mm. The motor is assembled directly, sideways or integrated.

14. What is a belt drive?

Here, too, building is done using a bend-resistant aluminium profile, a 16 mm linear guide rail or a steel rail guide, a coil package with 3, 6, 9 or 12 coils for different feed forces, a magnetic rail and a slide with ball race. The guides can be lengthened or lined up against each other. This means that guide lengths up to 15m can be produced without any problems. On the back, there are T-slot inserts, also in a 100 mm grid. As a result, the isel linear units - depending on the customer's application - can be arranged and mounted as an axle system. The guides are lubricated for life, the maintenance intervals longer and the service life longer than in the spindle drive or frame drive. isel linear technology is available with or without motor module, with controller and software and achieves high accelerations and speeds. The path information is obtained through a parallel measuring system or directly from the magnetic strips.

15. What is a linear unit with linear motor?

Here, too, building is done using a bend-resistant aluminium profile, a 16 mm linear guide rail or a steel rail guide, a coil package with 3, 6, 9 or 12 coils for different feed forces, a magnetic rail and a slide with ball race. The guides can be lengthened or lined up against each other. This means that guide lengths up to 15m can be produced without any problems. On the back, there are T-slot inserts, also in a 100 mm grid. As a result, the isel linear units - depending on the customer's application - can be arranged and mounted as an axle system. The guides are lubricated for life, the maintenance intervals longer and the service life longer than in the spindle drive or frame drive. isel linear technology is available with or without motor module, with controller and software and achieves high accelerations and speeds. The path information is obtained through a parallel measuring system or directly from the magnetic strips.

16. By what percentage can the machine throughput be increased using isel linear motor technology?

The sophisticated linear technology behind the isel linear motors is particularly well illustrated by the example of the process plant manufacturer AP&S International GmbH, which cleans, etches, strips and develops wafers under clean room conditions. The isel DirectDrive system has achieved significantly higher speeds and positioning accuracies and good dynamics here. The service life of the linear system has been extended, while the maintenance required has been minimised. The isel-iMS magnetic length measuring system pre-mounted on the guide slide ensures the reception of the path information via the magnetic rails of the motor. The motor magnetic strip becomes part of the drive and in this way allows any extension of the linear unit. A feature that is generally not possible with other vendors. AP&S International GmbH has been able to increase its machine throughput by around 15% thanks to the advanced linear technology from isel.

17. What is a linear axis with stepper motor?

A stepper motor is the simplest drive technology and can be used both on the spindle drive and on the belt drive. With its open control path, a stepper motor is primarily used for exact positioning at low system costs. The application options range from a simple point-to-point movement to precision and synchronous movements. One of the main benefits of the stepping motor is the control without a closed control loop. The motor transmits the path or speed information coming from the control directly to the drive element without any feedback. In recent years, the stepper motor has proved to be a robust, cost-effective and reliable drive element and is therefore used in almost all industrial areas in a wide range of designs and sizes.

18. What is a linear unit with servo motor?

In the servo motor, the angular position of the motor shaft is monitored vthe event of a deviation, performs a format adjustment of the motor up to the tolerance of the target value. A path buffer can be generated by the closed control loop and the motor monitoring. Compared to stepping motor technology, higher speeds and harmonious axial ia an incremental or absolute encoder. The position of the motor shaft is transmitted to the controller and the control loop is thus closed. This compares the signal with a predefined target value and, in movements with high running stability can be achieved.

19. What is a direct drive linear system?

Linear motors are the highest-quality and fastest motors for linear units. The positioning accuracy and repeatability is in the μ-range. A linear motor is wear-free, has a long service life and is increasingly used in machine tools, positioning systems and handling systems in linear technology.

20. What is a hand wheel in linear technology?

A manual hand wheel replaces a mounted motor module. It is used for manual adjustment of the linear unit, for example changing a basic position or the exact setting of a position for which no motor is required. In industrial technology, hand wheels are now only very rarely used.

Specific linear axes

21. What are Portal Linear Units?

Portal linear units consist of 2 adjoining linear units on which an angle is mounted. Between the two angles, there is a further linear axis, which is moved back and forth between the two lower ones. The transverse axis moves from right to left, while the other two axes move from top to bottom. There is a circular movement in the flat plane. A portal unit belongs to the XYZ linear axes.

22. What is an XYZ linear unit?

An XYZ linear unit, such as the FlatCom Series XL CNC milling machine from isel, is made up of several axes. It carries out movements in different directions and can thus be used for a wide range of processes and applications.

23. What is an XY linear unit?

The XY linear axes mainly include cross tables and H layouts. Within a plane, linear tables allow an object movement in a twofold direction. Linear tables from isel contain two single-axis linear guides and can be installed one-to-one in a machine tool or as a special accessory.

24. What are vertical linear units?

Vertical linear axes move from top to bottom. People also speak of Z-axes

25. What is linear technology with distance measuring system?

In the case of linear units with a distance measuring system, these are usually linear motors or servomotors with a direct additional measuring tape on the guide, in which the motor transmits its current position to the controller. At isel, the magnetic length measuring system IMS is already installed in the guide slide (measuring head) and receives the path information via the magnetic tape, which is installed on the linear guide.

26. What is a precision linear unit?

The finer the measuring system, the higher the positioning accuracy. The most important aspect for accuracy is the measured number of pulses per revolution. The linear motor is the undisputed leader in positioning and repeatability.r.

27. Which linear technology is suitable for the clean room?

Linear motors have the best suitability. Due to the few components that can generate particles, these are the highest clean room class. In connection with clean room grease, all linear axes with spindle drive and direct drive are basically suitable for the clean room.

28. Which linear systems can be equipped with grippers?

In principle, a gripper can be mounted on each linear axis and receives the opening or closing command via the control.

Any other questions? We would be delighted to give you more help!

Linear systems play an important role in the productivity and machine throughput of a company. Our employees are the right contact persons for all issues concerning linear units and would be delighted to help you find the best linear solution for your company.

Contact for Germany North

Stefan Koch
Technical sales
06659 981-526
stefan.koch@isel.com

Katja Henkel
Technical sales
06659 981-744
katja.henkel@isel.com

Contact for Germany South

Jürgen Balzer
Technical sales
06659 981-774
juergen.balzer@isel.com

Steffan Gärth
Technical sales
06659 981-773
steffan.gaerth@isel.com

Linear stages from isel: Flexible technology for all requirements

Linear motion units (linear stages) are used today in almost all areas of manufacturing and engineering: The more flexible the drive, the better. Linear technology from isel based on years of experience and many specific customer requirements, which have been incorporated into the development of our linear units. So we are now in a position to offer a suitable linear solution for every application. Even special motor connections are available on customers request. Contact us!

XY Slide Configurations

XY Slide Configurations

XY Slide Configurations - as PDF file

Our linear units consist of anodized, rigid special aluminium profiles and can be delivered - depending on requirements - with spindle drive, belt drive and linear motors. Linear technology from isel works powerful, highly accurate and provides scope for individual structural design possibilities.

 

Linear units with spindle drive

Linear units with spindle drives LES are pre-finished modules that are used in factory automation, handling technology and light engineering. Due to the configuration options of their axes, they are extremely flexible applicable for the machine and plant engineering and this is completely free of charge.

Linear units with thoothed belt drive

Linear units with thoothed belt drive are also pre-finished modules, that are used particularly in handling technology and assembly automation. They are mainly used for rapid and precise positioning of workpieces in single and multiple axis systems.

Accessories for linear units

Slides, corrosion protection, grease or grease gun: Also you receive the matching accessories for the isel linear technology from us.

Cross table

Linear tables from isel consists of two single-axis linear guide systems, which allows the movement of an object in two directions within a plane. Our cross tables can be integrated directly into a working machine, or mounted in addition as special accessory.