Nippon Pulse has introduced its new PJE series of bipolar hybrid stepper motors, which are available in sizes from 20 to 86 mm in diameter (NEMA sizes 8 to 34). These new motors round out the company’s hybrid motor line, joining the existing PJP unipolar hybrid motor series. The PJE series provides high torque in […]
What are jackscrews?
Jackscrews (also referred to as jack screws or screw jacks) are among several different kinds of linear motion actuators most often used for lifting or moving loads. They can also be used in any application needing linear motion, or where pushing or pulling along a linear axis is needed. Other common mechanical actuators include lead, […]
Applied Motion Products to construct new corporate headquarters for U.S. operations
Motion control and automation solutions provider Applied Motion Products recently purchased land to build its new corporate headquarters in Morgan Hill, CA, located in Santa Clara County at the southern tip of Silicon Valley. The new headquarters will consolidate all U.S. operations (now conducted in two separate buildings located in Watsonville, CA) including production, warehouse, […]
New 60-A 24-V digital hall drives from Koford
Koford Engineering LLC has introduced a new series of 60-A 24-V hall sensor drives featuring 99% efficiency, compact size and high performance. Operation up to 100,000 rpm with a two-pole motor is possible. The design also features operation at 100% duty cycle compared to many other drives that are limited to 94% duty cycle, providing […]
New online encoder selection tool from HEIDENHAIN
As part of its ongoing “Customer First” initiative, HEIDENHAIN has introduced a new multi-level online Encoder Selection Tool for automation. This new Encoder Selection Tool considers various industries and applications, and then suggests the brands with suitable options. HEIDENHAIN owns and markets position measurement components in North America from nine international companies, each with its […]
eXtended Transport System (XTS) linear transport systems and mechatronics from Beckhoff
The eXtended Transport System (XTS) from Beckhoff Automation is now available in the U.S. The EtherCAT-enabled XTS offers paradigm-shifting capabilities for motion control and mechatronics by combining the advantages of proven rotary and linear motion principles into a new modular platform. With its compact and flexible design, the advanced mechatronic system can reduce machine footprint […]
Control-software portability with IEC 61131-3: How reusable are XML files?
Say an engineering team wants to switch their design’s PLC from one model to another — a relatively infrequent but ordinary specification decision. How well do XML files really work for importing and exporting? How much are component manufacturers really motivated to make that work … and not lock engineers onto one specific hardware? Engineers […]
New servo actuators feature dual absolute encoder, panel mount connectors
Harmonic Drive has introduced new dual absolute encoder versions of the FHA-C mini actuator featuring BiSS-C bi-directional communication for both encoders. The dual encoders are incorporated in essentially the same package size as the long-standing FHA-C mini single incremental encoder version. Without increasing the size, the dual absolute encoder offers single-turn absolute position at the […]
Motion control and motor market sees slight decline in Q1 2019 versus Q1 2018
The global motion control and motor market saw a 0.2% decline in shipments in the first quarter of 2019 versus the same period last year, down to $952.3 million. However, according to the Motion Control & Motor Association, part of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), shipments were up 0.6% ($6 million) compared to the […]
Opto 22 offers free training with purchase of its pre-integrated GRV-EPIC-LC
Design engineers can get two complimentary seats (a $1,990 value) with the purchase of an Opto 22 groov EPIC Learning Center. The groov EPIC Learning Center (GRV-EPIC-LC) is a pre-integrated system with EPIC hardware and software — suitable for pilot projects, proof of concept (POC) work, and other prototyping and research demonstrations. Hardware in the […]
Programmable automation controllers (PACs) work as an alternative to what exactly?
According to some, today’s most demanding motion designs either incorporate a PAC or industrial PC — and these are engineers’ two leading options for machine control right now. Recall that until recently, industrial automation (including motion control) was extremely segmented. So supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems were at the system top layer … […]
POSITAL kit encoders for cost-effective position control of stepper motors
While servomotors remain the gold standard for precision motion control in industrial machinery, the improved performance of stepper motors is making these lower-cost devices an increasingly attractive alternative for many applications. The key to these performance gains is the addition of rotation-measuring encoders, especially the new absolute multi-turn kit encoders from POSITAL. Stepper motors are […]
New pitch-and-roll stages from OES rotate objects with accuracy
Positioning stages from OES now serve applications involving pitch-and-roll for micromachining, aligning mirrors (in scanning-electron microscopes), rotating objects to precise positions, and measuring angles of objects such as crystals. The stages are also suitable for applications that need to move objects to precise angular positions along an arc — for examining the cutting edges of […]
Dorner’s sanitary AquaGard 7350 V2 conveyor: Four curves with one motor
Dorner’s innovative new AquaGard 7350 V2 Curve Conveyor chain features a center bearing to eliminate friction; carry heavy load; and allow four curves to be driven by a single motor. This unique design improves productivity — plus valuable floor space — because the conveyor can make tight turns around existing machinery and equipment without being […]
IEC 61131-3 programming: Where’s structured text more appropriate than ladder logic?
No one IEC 61131-3 language leads for all uses. In fact, the best way to program with IEC 61131-3 languages is by using multiple languages together. That accommodates (among other things) the way every engineer has a different methodology for programming. Sequential function chart (SFC): Recall that SFC is the highest-level code standard in IEC […]
Not just Allen Bradley anymore: New controllers abound
10 years ago, there was one main controller brand in U.S. automation — Rockwell Automation’s Allen Bradley. This is still a leading PLC line with a massive adoption rate in the U.S. because: • Allen Bradley did an excellent job educating people in the U.S. on ladder-diagram programming for its PLCs • The manufacturer embedded […]
New mk North America VersaMove website at mkversamove.com
Leading conveyor system designer and manufacturer, mk North America has announced the launch of an all-new website, mkversamove.com, dedicated to its VersaMove pallet-handling conveyor line. The new site is tailored to the needs of engineers and is designed to make it easier for them to locate technical data, find drawings and request a quote. The […]
Up your conveyor game
New alternatives to traditional conveyor systems offer better efficiency and more flexibility, helping to boost manufacturing throughput. Reid Schook OEM Segment Business Manager Rockwell Automation When moving product through a manufacturing or assembly process in a plant, conveyors have been a traditional choice. A traditional conveyor can consist of individual roller axes mounted between a […]
New integrated servo motor and drive features EtherCAT link
The Tolomatic ACSI EtherCAT integrated servo motor and drive is a cost-effective solution for automating additional axes of motion with Industrial Ethernet protocols. As an integrated servo motor and drive, the ACSI creates a space-saving, linear actuator system, making it suitable for machine retrofits and displacing pneumatic cylinder applications. With built-in configurations for Tolomatic electric […]
Compact stepper motor with high torque from Nanotec
The new SCA5618 stepper motor from Nanotec offers 15 to 30% more torque than comparable motors with a 56-mm flange (NEMA 23). Thanks to an improved stator geometry and optimized magnetic materials, the rotor inertia is no higher than that of the predecessor model. The SCA5618 is available in three lengths and with two different […]
Rockwell expands Kinetix 5700 servo system offerings, featuring energy, downtime savings
Industrial companies can rein in energy costs and reduce downtime using two new additions to the Kinetix 5700 servo system from Rockwell Automation. The new Kinetix 5700 regenerative bus supply provides direct energy savings by regenerating excess energy and putting it back on the facility’s grid or making it available for plant-wide use. It also […]
New line of industrial gateways support EtherNet/IP to Modbus communication
Pepperl+Fuchs Comtrol announces a new product family within its DeviceMaster industrial gateway lineup. DeviceMaster EIP-MOD gateways allow communication between EtherNet/IP controllers and Modbus master controllers. The new gateways enable EtherNet/IP controllers—such as CIP complaint controllers that support Class 1 and Class 3 connections, including PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, and OPC servers—to connect to Modbus master […]
B&R offers servo drives with safety function Safely Limited Torque
The B&R ACOPOS P3 servo drive is now also available with safety function Safely Limited Torque (SLT). This makes B&R one of the first manufacturers to offer this certified safety function. Safely Limited Torque safely monitors torque up to SIL 2 / PL d. The torque is limited to the configured maximum value with the […]
Haydon Kerk Pittman now sells EC042B IDEA Motor
Haydon Kerk Pittman now sells the latest addition to its popular line of brushless DC motors: the EC042B IDEA Motor Series. This revolutionary new product combines exceptional performance with convenience and value. The programmable IDEA Motor integrates a precision brushless servo motor with an IDEA Drive controller in a compact package to reduce design time, […]
TRINAMIC TMC2209 stepper driver for silent desktop machines
TRINAMIC Motion Control GmbH & Co. KG now sells the TMC2209 stepper driver IC — a motor driver that enables silent operation, intelligent stall detection, and lower cost for 3D printers, office and home automation equipment, and other applications using two-phase stepper motors. The TMC2209 is pin-compatible with earlier TRINAMIC devices, as well as some […]