SKF - Actuation and Motion Control

SKF, celebrating 100 years of operation, is a leading global manufacturer of engineered products, customer solutions and services. SKF’s core business covers bearings and units, sealing solutions, lubrication systems, mechatronics and services. With its global presence, SKF supports the medical industry’s continuous need for enhanced functionality. SKF is committed to integrating technology into new products and setting higher standards for innovation for greater safety, reliability and precision.

With a comprehensive knowledge of the medical industry, SKF has developed a unique range of products and services. Our advanced actuation, guiding, driving, bearings, and seals are manufactured to meet the industry’s requirements and comply with all major specifications and regulations of the medical industry, such as EN and UL approvals.

ACTUATION SYSTEMS

SKF offers a wide range of actuation products and systems. The range of actuators incorporates telescopic pillars with integrated guidance systems, AC & DC actuators, control boxes, and hand and foot switches. SKF also offers an actuator lifetime monitoring system which continuously tracks actuator service-life status while in operation and signals when an actuator needs to be replaced. These actuators and actuation systems can facilitate multiple precise medical movements for applications such as:

• Diagnostic imaging
• Ophthalmic tables
• Hospital and home care beds
• Patient lifters
• Infant incubators

GUIDANCE SYSTEMS

The SKF linear guidance range is comprised of shaft guiding, profile rail guides, precision rail guides, miniature slides, standard slides, precision slides, and complete systems. Several of these types of linear guidance can be supplied in stainless steel when the need for corrosion resistance is required. These guidance products can be used in applications such as:

• Diagnostic imaging
• Laboratory instruments
• Surgical tables

BALL AND ROLLER SCREWS

Applications that drive by transforming rotary action into linear motion require products such as rolled ball screws, roller screws and ground ball screws. SKF’s assortment of ball screws are available from miniature sizes (as small as 6mm diameter) to large diameter screws (63mm) and come in a range of leads for precision and speed. For applications that require corrosion resistance SKF also offers a range of ball screws in stainless steel or with coatings. SKF ball and roller screws can be used in application such as:

• Diagnostic imaging
• Laboratory instruments
• Surgical tables

BEARINGS AND SEALS

SKF’s range of ball and roller bearings are used in a wide variety of medical applications, and are available in many executions and sizes. SKF also manufactures an assortment of seals in materials that are compatible with many different fluids. Both the bearings and seals can be used in applications such as:

• Diagnostic imaging
• Laboratory instruments
• Dental/Surgical equipment and tools
• Respiratory equipment

ENGINEERING SERVICES

SKF’s Engineering Consultancy Services offers a competitive way for you to take your new products to market faster. SKF’s well-proven processes enable design optimization and design verification. Root cause analysis--finding out why a design did not work as anticipated--is another area where SKF consultants can support you.

SKF Condition Monitoring allows access to a range of proven technologies, core competencies, and established infrastructure to companies operating in the medical device market, providing as little or as much technical and engineering support as required. SKF’s knowledge of medical standards such as 60601-1 for Product Certification, and both ISO 13485 and CFR820 guidelines for Quality Systems help create tailored solutions.

SUB-ASSEMBLY CAPABILITIES

With SKF’s experience and knowledge in motion we also offer integrated custom mechatronic solutions for demanding applications. These solutions can be complex functions which incorporate electro-mechanical actuation controlled by a dedicated electronic unit in closed loop control on position, speed and/or force. Diagnostic and monitoring could be also included.