The new family of safety sensors from Pepperl+Fuchs includes four cylindrical and rectangular series with cable and plug connection. The sensors are TÜV-certified in accordance with the Machinery Directive (EN 13849) Performance Level PLd, Category 2, and SIL 2. They are used to safeguard machines and plant components as well as for reliable position detection […]
Automation tools guide bin-picking workers to eliminate assembly problems
With Mitsubishi Electric’s guided operator solutions, bin-picking mistakes can be easily eliminated … and that in turn helps reduce waste, improve quality, and boost productivity. By eliminating typical problems such as picking the wrong parts with a similar shape or name, picking and assembling parts out of sequence or just missing some part from a […]
New handheld GOT 2000 HMIs from Mitsubishi Electric Automation for a portable interface
Making it easier than ever for machine operators and maintenance personnel to monitor and control machine components, Mitsubishi Electric Automation introduces handheld models for its GOT2000 Series, a human machine interface (HMI) that optimizes operator control and monitoring of device and line status. The GT25 Handy GOT — a portable interface offered in both 5.7-in. […]
Controller trends: edge, fog computing and more
Edge computing and greater connectivity are some of the key trends controller manufacturers are seeing in their industry. Here’s what else they told us they’re seeing in the way of tech trends. With respect to the IoT and IIoT, what kinds of capabilities do your components or engineered designs incorporate to support functions related to […]
Electromagnetic brakes provide more stopping power for servo motors using less space
The BXR-LE brake series from Miki Pulley is a power-off, engaged brake design. When the stator is energized, the brake is disengaged allowing free rotation. When no current is applied, compression springs halt the brake rotor thereby stopping the input shaft rotation. This is an ideal feature to prevent rotation during power failure events. The […]
New high torque planetary gearboxes from Nanotec
For applications that require high torque, Nanotec offers new planetary gearboxes in two sizes and many reductions: the GP42 gearbox is designed for all motors with NEMA 17-flange as well as the DF45 external rotor motors from Nanotec. The GP56 gearbox can be combined with all brushless dc and stepper motors in sizes NEMA 23 […]
Motion Trends: IoT, programmability top encoder trends
What key trends are driving the encoder market? We put the question to several of the top encoder manufacturers to get their perspective on trends in the encoder industry as well as how developments in other industries are impacting their business. Here’s what they told us. With respect to the IoT and IIoT, what kinds […]
New drive series for infrastructure pump, fan and compressor applications
The new Sinamics G120X drive from Siemens is a simple, seamless and easy-to-use drive, designed for use in pump, fan and compressor applications in industries such as water/wastewater, HVAC/R, irrigation/agriculture and in industrial environments. Sinamics G120X has a power range of 1 to 700 hp (0.75 to 630 kW) and can operate in temperature ranges […]
New servo motor series from Kollmorgen
The new VLM servo motor series from Kollmorgen aims to fill the gap between stepper and high-performance servo motors. The new VLM series synchronous servo motors offer OEMs, machine builders and end-users, an excellent price-performance proposition in the torque range of 0.5 to 4.5 Nm continuous and 16 Nm peak, with speeds of up to […]
Motion Trends: IoT development drives sensor trends
The continuing development of IoT and IIoT is shaping trends in sensor design and implementation. Broader automation trends such as the continued digitalization of data and its use in more efficient control of processes and systems to the use of data for predictive maintenance purposes are big drivers. Sensors have added functions, are easier to […]
Record growth for global motion control and motors market recorded in 2018
The global motion control and motor market experienced record growth in 2018, with $3.827 billion in shipments, up 8% over 2017. According to the Motion Control & Motor Association, part of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), shipments were up 3% in the last quarter of the year, at $946 million, contributing to the overall […]
VFDs with integrated PLCs for motion and machine controls: Programming and setup considerations
Today’s ac drives can be controlled by either an external or internal PLC. Those with built-in controls move machine intelligence to the edge. By Jeff Payne • AutomationDirect Though ac drives can operate in standalone, they often integrate into automation systems to control speed of three-phase ac motors that commonly run conveyors, fans, and pumps. […]
Motion Trends: Customization tops gearmotor design trends
Wider industry trends towards more customized offerings from component manufacturers are also driving gearmotor designs. Manufacturers are offering designers more customized solutions via more in-house engineering resources, simplifying the design process. More custom solutions also mean greater integration with other components in a design, better connectivity and fewer compatibility issues. For example, Gabriel Venzin, President […]
Miniature piezo components for medical device manufacturing
PI Ceramic (a division of PI Physik Instrumente) introduces a new family of micro components, including mini transducers, suitable for the most precise applications, including medical imaging, nanopositioning, fiber alignment, and optics/photonics. One of the latest applications of miniature piezo tube transducers can be found in scanning fiber/scanning catheter endoscopes (SFE). These miniature endoscopes provide […]
maxon opens new manufacturing facility in Massachusetts
maxon precision motors, a division of maxon motor of Sachsein, Switzerland, has opened a new manufacturing facility in Taunton, MA. The two-story, 59,000 sq. foot facility is located within the Myles Standish Business Park in Taunton at 125 Dever Drive. Company officials led by Chris Blake, mpm President welcomed state/local officials and invited guests to […]
Applied Motion Products debuts programming tools for Python language
Applied Motion Products now offers a set of free tools for programmers using Python, the popular computer programming language, to use with its stepper and servo motors to quickly and efficiently integrate motor control into their applications. These new tools, including an application note and sample code, guide Python programmers in sending high-level motion commands, […]
New high-speed, compact brushless motors from Portescap
Portescap has expanded its Ultra ECTM range of brushless dc slotless motors with the introduction of the new 35ECS motor. This 2-pole motor offers ultra high speed and power (up to 330 W, max continuous) without compromising on the smooth operation and long life offered by Portescap’s brushless slotless motors. The new 35ECS motor is […]
What are photoelectric proximity sensors?
Proximity sensors are used to sense the presence of objects or materials across a broad range of industrial and manufacturing applications. Key to their operation is that they don’t require physical contact with the target or object being sensed. This is why they’re often called non-contact sensors. One of the most common types of proximity […]
New 200-W high-torque brushless servo motor from maxon
The new EC-i 52XL 200-W brushless servo motor from maxon features a flux collector rotor which provides outstanding torque performance compared to the existing EC-i 52 180-W high torque motor. Especially on the industrial automation front, when space is limited but high torque and dynamics are required, the maxon EC-i 52XL motor with its extended […]
New multi-touch control panel HMI for challenging installations
ABB’s new control panel portfolio expands upon the current CP600 platform to provide premium HMI for high-end applications and challenging installations. The new CP600-Pro ensures reliable operation within a wide environmental temperature range of -4 through 140 °F, and features a true glass touch-screen for clear information display and easy operation. Strong aluminum front frames […]
New high performance clutch brake for outdoor power equipment
Ogura has developed a new model, GT2.75, clutch brake for the outdoor power equipment market. This new clutch brake is patented both in and outside of the United States and offers engineers advantages in both design and cost over older designs currently on the market. The clutch incorporates a six hard rivet design in the […]
An apocalypse that wasn’t — the rare-earth mineral shortage
Leland Teschler, Executive Editor [email protected] On Twitter @ DW_LeeTeschler Scan the news pages from about eight years ago and you will likely notice a lot of hand-wringing about shortages of “critical materials” crucial for high-tech motors. The materials in question were rare-earth metals used for, among other things, making magnets with a super-high energy density. […]
SureStep IP65 rated stepper motors from AutomationDirect
AutomationDirect has added motors designed for washdown environments to its stepper systems product line. SureStep IP65 rated high-torque stepping motors are completely protected from solids and dust ingress and from low pressure water jets from any direction, making them suitable for many washdown applications. These fully sealed, single-shaft motors are available with industry-standard NEMA 17, […]
Torque motor from ETEL now with integrated cooling system
In order to simplify the implementation of liquid cooling with torque motors and ease the mounting into direct-drive machine applications, ETEL announces that their TMB+ torque motor can now be ordered with a closed cooling jacket pre-built around it. For over a decade, ETEL has been producing high quality frameless torque motors that are used […]
New ABB drives bring enhanced control to DC installations
ABB’s new series of dc variable speed drives (VSDs) allow users with a large installed base to get better performance from their existing systems. With the new DCS880 VSDs, customers who are heavily invested in a dc system have the option to continue using dc technology while better aligning with modern ac advancements. The dc […]