39 www.drivesncontrols.com May 2026 SCIENTIFIC, MEDICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL n chemicals and repeated cleaning cycles. Because lubrication is embedded within the polymer material itself, the bearing continues to operate reliably through long service lives, even under constant washdown conditions. New motion architectures Polymers allow new possibilities in system design. They can run on “softer” shaft materials, even allowing engineers to develop hollow shafts that combine structural support with media routing. Other geometries, such as triangular or rectangular profiles, offer reliable anti-rotation and stability in compact footprints. Polymer-based systems are not entirely drop-in replacements. They can be more sensitive to eccentric loads or long drive-toload distances. Off-centre moments must be managed to avoid increased wear. However, these challenges are well understood and can be addressed through careful design, alignment strategies, or appropriate bearing combinations. Laboratory automation is proving to be a powerful testing ground for next-generation linear motion systems. Its demand for high speed, high duties, and strict hygiene are forcing engineers to rethink motion system fundamentals. The resulting innovations ripple outwards into broader automation, influencing approaches to robotics, compact actuators and precision motion in a variety of industries. As laboratories become more automated, the motion systems that support them are becoming lighter, cleaner and more integrated. The transformation is subtle, but significant, and is redefining how linear motion is engineered in advanced, highperformance environments. n Automated pipetting platforms place intense demands on guidance systems
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