Encoders are essential to accurate positioning in most motion systems, particularly where high precision is most needed. For instance, applications like semiconductor manufacturing with nanometer precision, or medical applications where there is virtually no room for error, because that could mean the difference between life and death. Designers of medical equipment are able to use […]
Finalists announced for Industrial Automation category in inaugural LEAP Awards
Eight finalists were announced on Friday November 2nd for the inaugural LEAP Awards’ Industrial Automation Category. The competition was scored by a panel of independent technical/engineering-oriented judges. The four judges below were responsible for the Industrial Automation category: Bonnie Baker Consultant ATW, LLC Bonnie Baker is the author of six books, including A Baker’s […]
POSITAL ramps up production of Wiegand Sensors for energy harvesting
POSITAL, a manufacturer industrial position and motion sensors, has upgraded its facilities for producing Wiegand sensors. These components, which generate small amounts of electrical energy from rotary motion, are used to energize low-power electronic devices such as counter circuits. To date, more than 500,000 Wiegand sensors have been manufactured and sold, 80% of which are […]
New vision controller from Matrox Imaging handles multi-camera applications
Matrox Imaging’s new Matrox 4Sight EV6 is the latest installment to the vision controller lineup. An enhancement of its immediate predecessor, the Matrox 4Sight GPm, the Matrox 4Sight EV6 integrates a seventh-generation Intel Core processor to power ever-more demanding multi-camera applications. Matrox 4Sight EV6 possesses the ingrained power to handle multi-camera inspections with ease and […]
Posital upgrades family of analog programmable rotary encoders
Encoder specialist Posital has announced a new generation of analog rotary encoders for position control. Compared to the company’s earlier analog encoders, these new models feature improved accuracy, faster dynamic response and new programming options. They also accept a wider range of supply voltages, an advantage for mobile machinery applications. Posital’s analog encoders are designed for […]
New functions in B&R SafeDESIGNER 3.1 include expanded numeric ranges for functions
The latest version of B&R’s SafeDESIGNER tool now makes it possible to process and compare safe INT and DINT signals in addition to linking them mathematically using basic arithmetic operations. Safety-oriented function blocks are also available for converting INT and DINT values in either direction. This expansion now rounds off the full range of numeric […]
Heavy-duty absolute encoders — now with EtherCAT communications
New EPC Model A58HE and Model A58SE are EtherCAT-ready, multi-turn absolute encoders for harsh factory and plant environments. They work in applications where fieldbus connectivity is required, and the encoder must retain absolute position information after power-off events. The Model A58HE is a 58-mm encoder in a hollow-bore construction, and the Model A58SE is a […]
Pepperl+Fuchs launches rotary encoders with blue emitter LEDs
Pepperl+Fuchs’ newest innovation is the ENI58IL rotary encoder with BlueBeam Technology. For the first time, this technology equips industry-standard rotary encoders with the precision required for rotational speeds of up to 12,000 rpm. This is achieved by implementing a blue emitter LED and the corresponding receiver diodes. “Compared to the long-wave infrared light that is […]
Precision feedback for collaborative robots from Posital
An exciting development in the area of robotics is the development and growing popularity of so-called collaborative robots, or “cobots”. Cobots, in contrast to traditional industrial robots, are designed to interact with human workers in a shared workspace. They are typically smaller and less powerful than traditional factory robots and are equipped with a variety […]
ix Industrial connectors meet the need for smaller footprints
Contributed by Jonas Diekmann, Technical Editor for HARTING Industrial devices are steadily getting smaller, requiring smaller, yet stronger interfaces. For Cat6A Industrial Ethernet applications, HARTING offers users ix Industrial connectors in A-encoding. To be able to supply even more applications, in the future the small interface will also be available in 10-pole signal design – […]
Hybrid stepper-lead screw actuators from Thomson feature built-in anti-rotational guidance
Thomson Industries has expanded its line of stepper motor linear actuators with models featuring built-in anti-rotational guidance. The new motorized lead screw actuator (MLA) product saves designers of high-precision, shorter-stroke applications the cost, time and maintenance worries related to designing and building externally guided systems themselves. The actuator configuration provides effortless integration into the assembly […]
Designs For Off-Highway Vehicles Meet Anticipated Safety Regulations
The introduction of Controller Area Network (CAN-bus) architecture for the engine control interface in off-highway vehicles has opened up a new world of user interface possibilities. CAN-bus offers vehicle owners greater flexibility and functionality in a much smaller package, while offering integration options that cut assembly costs. The CAN-bus Keypads and Man-Machine Interface (MMI) Controllers gives…
Stainless steel housing option for Joral Sensors
Joral LLC has announced new stainless steel housings for all currently available sensors and encoders. Specifically designed to ensure total protection from extreme temperature fluctuation, corrosive environments, and pressure wash down. Joral stainless steel sensors are built to provide the greatest environmental protection available to provide maximum productivity. In addition to the stainless steel housing, all […]
FRABA Group celebrates 100th birthday with strong financial performance and market growth
The international FRABA Group, which is about to mark the 100th anniversary of its founding, has enjoyed a year of significant growth in sales and profitability. In fiscal 2017 (ending December 31) turnover increased by 21.5% over the previous year, with total sales revenues of € 31.5 million. Growth has been driven by strong performance…
Totally encapsulated J1 rotary encoders IP69k electrical protection from Joral
Joral LLC now has a new method to impart total encapsulation in its J1 electronic components. Specially crafted to ensure total protection from extreme temperature fluctuation, intense machine vibration, and pressure wash down, the Joral J1 line-shafted rotary encoders perform rotary motion feedback for industry, ranging from directional drilling rigs to timber harvesters. The new […]
Totally encapsulated J1 rotary encoders IP69k electrical protection from Joral
Joral LLC now has a new method to impart total encapsulation in its J1 electronic components. Specially crafted to ensure total protection from extreme temperature fluctuation, intense machine vibration, and pressure wash down, the Joral J1 line-shafted rotary encoders perform rotary motion feedback for industry, ranging from directional drilling rigs to timber harvesters. The new […]
Joral introduces true non-contact rotary encoder with rectangular design
PE18 ProxEncoder non-contact rotary encoder product line receives a square housing with side sense capacity. Enhancing the original PE18 proximity style form factor, the new rectangular design allows for easy mounting on flat surfaces. Two USPTO patents enable the PE18-BX ProxEncoder to detect on-axis rotation with up to 0.5-in. (12mm) air gap between the application and […]
Motion Trends: Robotics, IoT impact encoder design
We asked encoder manufacturers to weigh in on the trends they’re seeing in their industries. Here’s what they had to say. What new design trends are you seeing in areas such as robotics, battery powered designs, automated vehicles, and safety in motion control designs? Jonathan Dougherty Product Specialist HEIDENHAIN HEIDENHAIN rotary encoders are critical components […]
Through hollow incremental encoders feature easy installation, accurate measurement
POSITAL has extended is portfolio of rotary encoders with a new family of through-hollow incremental encoders. These devices are designed to be installed with the machine shaft passing through the sensor. They can be used to monitor rotary motion in a wide variety of machinery, including servomotors, material handling equipment and printing presses, offering cost-effective, […]
POSITAL expands rotary encoder offerings with new through-hollow incremental encoders
POSITAL has extended is portfolio of rotary encoders with a new family of through-hollow incremental encoders. These devices are designed to be installed with the machine shaft passing through the sensor. They can be used to monitor rotary motion in a wide variety of machinery, including servomotors, material handling equipment and printing presses, offering cost-effective, […]
The Other Product of the Day: Open Source Interfaces for Motor Feedback Kit Encoders Feature 17-bit Electronic Resolution
Rotary encoder specialist POSITAL has expanded its interface offerings for its magnetic Kit Encoders, with support for the non-proprietary open-source BiSS Line communication protocol. This enables the practical implementation of single-cable technology, which is becoming increasingly popular with motor and robot manufacturers. POSITAL’s easy-to-install motor feedback kits, which feature 17-bit electronic resolution, bridge the gap…
True non-contact rotary encoder
Joral LLC introduces the PE18 ProxEncoder non-contact rotary encoder product line. Modeled in a threaded proximity switch housing, the 18mm true non-contact encoder is designed to capture rotary motion where conventional sensors fail. Two USPTO patents enable the PE18 ProxEncoder to detect on-axis rotation with up to 0.5-in. (12mm) air gap between the application and […]
Joral debuts non-contact rotary encoder for harsh environments
Joral LLC introduces the PE18 ProxEncoder non-contact rotary encoder product line. Modeled in a threaded proximity switch housing, the 18-mm true non-contact encoder is designed to capture rotary motion where conventional sensors fail. Two USPTO patents enable the PE18 ProxEncoder to detect on-axis rotation with up to 0.5-in. (12 mm) air gap between the application […]
Motion trends: Linear actuators leverage modularity and connectivity
Pre-integration is a common refrain in the motion industry — and actuators lead this trend. Some of the fastest growth is in motion designs destined for compact applications, many of which are being automated for the first time. “We’ve seen the most rapid growth in applications using NEMA 34 and 60-mm and smaller motors — […]
Moving beyond standard sensors
Some less common sensor types can provide a solution to presence or motion sensing needs. By Andrew Waugh, Product Manager for Sensor and Safety Products, AutomationDirect While photo eye, limit switch and dc proximity sensors are the most commonly used types in machine automation applications, there are many other sensors available to help solve application…