On a typical machine tool, the tool that performs the machining operation (cutting, milling, or boring, for example) is attached to a rotating spindle that drives the tool. But on machines that require long machining lengths, such as milling and boring, the tool is mounted to an arbor. The arbor is driven by the spindle […]
New flat-top chain conveyor system from mk North America
Conveyor system designer and manufacturer mk North America, Inc. has added a new conveyor, VersaFlex, to its product line-up. The new flat-top chain conveyor system is intended to meet complex design needs and will replace the SBF-P 2254 conveyor line. Unveiled in Germany at Motek 2019, by Maschinenbau Kitz GmbH, the headquarters of mk Technology […]
NK Technologies releases tech guide for motor and pump monitoring
NK Technologies’ new Motors and Pumps Tech Guide is now available online. The handbook is great resource for learning the basics about current sensing theory, current transducers and switches, and choosing the right solution for an application. Guide highlights include: Techniques for determining motor/pump conditions Consolidated selection guide for ac and dc sensors Application examples […]
New frame sizes, features for soft starter family from WEG
WEG has extended its SSW900 series of soft starters to include frame size E for the current range of 480 to 670 A. The series previously consisted of four frame sizes A to D, covering output currents from 10 to 412 A in the voltage range of 220 to 575 V 3-phase ac. These compact […]
What are strain energy and resilience in the context of compression (wave) springs?
When a compressive or tensile load is applied to a spring (or any elastic material), the load does work on the spring, causing the spring to undergo a change in shape (extension or compression). This change in shape creates a type of potential energy — referred to as strain energy — in the material. Typical […]
World’s smallest multi-turn absolute kit encoders unveiled
Size matters, and in the world of industrial automation, providing exceptional performance in a highly compact package can be an enormous advantage. With this in mind, encoder manufacturer Posital has unveiled a fully functional prototype of their new miniature multi-turn kit encoder for integrated motor feedback. With a diameter of only 22 mm and a […]
PTDA’s 2020 Leadership Development Conference offers learning for emerging leaders
The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) is now taking registrations for the PTDA 2020 Leadership Development Conference to be held on March 25-27 at the Omni William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh, Pa. The PTDA 2020 Leadership Development Conference is designed for emerging power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) industry leaders who want to build their leadership skills […]
Timing belt conveyors: benefits and uses
Industrial conveyors span a wide range of designs and configurations to suit specific purposes — from positioning delicate optical components for inspection to delivering automotive parts through an assembly line. When designing a conveyor, one of the first considerations is the conveying media to be used, which depends on the size, shape, and weight of the […]
Motion system design: Can a servo-driven machine be too stiff?
When we think of stiffness, we often think of mechanical stiffness — the ability of a part or system to resist deflection. But in servo-driven motion systems, stiffness can also refer to how the system is tuned — that is, how the gains in the servo controller are set and, correspondingly, how the motor responds […]
PTDA welcomes 14 new members
The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA), the leading association for the industrial power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) distribution channel, welcomed 14 new member companies. New Distributor Members Algoma’s Bearing Supply Inc. (Sault Ste Marie, Ont., Canada) is Algoma’s locally owned and operated distributor for bearings, power transmission and specialty lubricants. Their products help customers with mechanical […]
Motion Control Tips – Top 6 posts of 2019
It’s that time of year again; time to look back, as we humans are prone to do, on the year quickly fading in the rearview mirror. Here at motioncontroltips.com, we like to look back at some of the top posts published in 2019. This represents what you, our readers, clicked on the most throughout the […]
New I/O modules from Rockwell aid smart machines in harsh environments
Manufacturers can now realize the design and productivity benefits of On-Machine I/O modules on smart machines used in harsh applications. The new Allen-Bradley ArmorBlock I/O modules can operate in a wide range of temperatures and offer up to IP69K protection in applications like automotive, material handling, packaging and welding. The new ArmorBlock I/O options can […]
POSITAL prototype of world’s smallest multi-turn absolute kit encoder unveiled
In the world of industrial automation, providing exceptional performance in a highly compact package can be an enormous advantage. So encoder manufacturer POSITAL has unveiled a fully functional prototype of their new miniature multi-turn kit encoder for integrated motor feedback. With a diameter of only 22 mm and a height of 23 mm (0.87 in.) […]
IP65-rated step motors for wet, dusty industrial factory environments
Applied Motion Products offers an extended line of stepper motors with IP65 ratings that are dustproof and resistant to water pressure impact, making them suitable for use in wet and dusty applications. Using advanced seal protection technology, the IP65-rated step motors feature sealed laminations, an oil shaft seal, internal corrosion-resistant film coating, gaskets for mechanical […]
Why eLearning about VFDs (and other technical topics) just may fit the bill
With the current state of the internet and the interconnectivity of devices and equipment, it is in the best interest of any company that wants to optimize the productivity of their associates tasked with technical tasks to take a look at the eLearning available. eLearning offers a wonderful ROI due to its low cost, ease […]
New cloud engineering software from Beckhoff aids in IoT implementation
Beckhoff Automation’s new TwinCAT Cloud Engineering software is designed for IoT and Industry 4.0 applications. With this feature-filled addition to the TwinCAT 3 platform, users can instantiate and use existing TwinCAT engineering and runtime products directly in the cloud. The solution is easy to access from the Beckhoff website with a web browser and requires […]
How to avoid wave spring fatigue in dynamic applications
Wave springs are gaining acceptance in motion applications, thanks to their ability to provide similar force and deflection characteristics to traditional coil springs, but with significantly reduced working height. Although wave springs can be used in static applications — such as preloading a bearing or mechanical seal — many applications require dynamic movement — for example, […]
New gearhead family features high torque, wide range of gear ratios
New pure metal GPT gearheads from FAULHABER MICROMO feature performance values comparable to more expensive technologies on the market like ceramic components. The gearheads are available in diameters of 22, 32 and 42 mm. Compared to predecessor models, the continuous input speed was more than doubled above 10,000 rpm, and can support input speeds up […]
Automation Libraries simplify Lexium MDrive controller integration
Three (3) Automation Libraries are now available to simplify interfacing Lexium MDrive integrated motors with commonly available PACs and PLCs from Siemens, Rockwell, and Schneider Electric. The library add-on instructions (AOI) for motion control are available to download for free here. AOIs reduce the work of writing software programs to execute move profiles such as: […]
What does integrated safety in motion control mean?
Safety is a critical machine design criteria. For example, the most common functional safety standards for machines in automation are EN/IEC 62061 and EN/ISO 13849-1. Both deal with safety via electronic solutions. This is in contrast to traditional safety systems that used electromechanical components for safety functions. Functional safety is generally understood to apply to […]
Servo amplifier with multi-network interface from Mitsubishi Electric
The MR-J4 servo amplifier series from Mitsubishi Electric incorporates a multi-network interface called “Servo Open Network”. It enables the user-friendly drive to be compatible with all relevant motion control systems worldwide. Machine manufacturers who offer their solutions globally will benefit from the open network connection feature of the MELSERVO MR-J4 amplifier series. Communications is simplified […]
Allen-Bradley motor controller adds integrated safety
Manufacturers can now install more of their control hardware on machines instead of in cabinets to simplify their production environments. The new Allen-Bradley ArmorStart ST distributed motor controllers with integrated safety can be mounted directly on a machine, allowing users to implement functional safety with fewer components. The ArmorStart ST with integrated safety is the […]
Next generation of I/O fieldbus couplers from WAGO
WAGO’s 750-363 EtherNet/IP Fieldbus Coupler is the latest Ethernet/IP Adapter coupler to join their I/O System. Its fast boot-up time lets systems get online quicker and firmware updates can be accessed using the Couplers’ onboard web-based management system. This new coupler can be paired with WAGO’s 500+ I/O modules to meet the needs of any […]
Motion controllers: Design from scratch or buy ready-made?
Motion control is similar to chess in that it takes minutes to learn the rules (allowing the creation of very basic indexing systems) but years to master the ability to perform advanced motion control. This article will review the different types of motion controllers currently on the market, and the pros and cons of each […]
How are industrial shock absorbers different from other damping systems?
Shock loads are common in industrial equipment — both as a normal result of the application and as unforeseen loads that occur when there’s a variance in the operation or process. Whether incorporated into the initial design or added after implementation, industrial shock absorbers are often the best choice for mitigating the forces that result […]