The DMC-40×0 motion controller is Galil’s highest performance, stand-alone motion controller. It belongs to Galil’s latest generation motion controller family, which accepts encoder inputs up to 22 MHz, provides servo update rates as high as 32 kHz, and processes commands as fast as 40 microseconds – 10 times the speed of prior generation controllers. The […]
Lots of lip service about science, but little action
Leland Teschler Executive Editor [email protected] On Twitter @ DW_LeeTeschler It has become trendy for scientists to try their hand at political office. The Huffington Post reports hundreds of scientists in the U.S. had their names on ballots in the recent midterm elections. The reason seems to be widespread worries about a downplaying of scientific conclusions…
Geared stepper motors drive movements of Breakfast Brixel moving architectural wall
A new architectural wall called the Breakfast Brixel is making some installations more dynamic. The system is built from dozens of digitally controlled rotating bricks that act as pixels to create waves, stripes, and undulating shapes on the moving walls. Brixel installations can even run customizable artwork and facades to evolve in response to real-time […]
Strain-wave gearing core to one exoskeleton for logistics-plant work
Consider a specific example of how strain-wave gearing gets used — in the German Bionic Systems Cray X exoskeleton. This 7.9-kg design assists plant personnel with manual handling of tools and heavy goods while reducing lower-back compression pressure. The exoskeleton joints use strain-wave gearing to reduce their brushless motors’ high rpm for an output of […]
HMI simplifies setup of robot-assisted automation for one integrator
Integrator Inovatech Automation recently decided they were spending too much time programming expensive HMI and PLC platforms, so contacted Pro-Face America for help. The integrator needed an HMI capable of universal robot and I/O-Link integration, legal for Inovatech Automation branding, and easy to program. “I was apprehensive at first because we have a lot of […]
Application example: Motion components on a typical form-fill-seal machine
Form-fill-seal machines are used to package edible powders, dry food, and liquids into bags and pouches. It’s a common machine design that comes in versions for both continuous and intermittent operation. No matter the design, top design objectives for form-fill-seal machines are high throughput with minimal downtime and the ability to reconfigure the machine to […]
Conveyors with direct-drive motors offer key advantages to Pa. facility
American Axle Manufacturing (AAM) is increasing the functionality of its St. Mary’s, Pa. manufacturing operations with conveyors sporting advanced drive technology. Small yet powerful direct-drive motors from Electric Torque Machines actuate Dorner conveyors that move small parts around the AAM facility. AAM designs, engineers, validates, and manufactures an array of driveline, metal-forming, powertrain, and casting […]
Digital printing pairs with a machine capable of handling its varied output
VITS International makes sheeting and finishing machines for packaging, printing, and converting. The OEM saw the digital-printing market needed finishing capable of commercial production speeds. So VITS designed and built the SPRINT Variable Data Finisher with a Bosch Rexroth drive and control platform to meet the demand. Digital inkjet printers can execute output comparable to […]
PC-based control on industrial sheet-metal presses — a Casebook example
Sheet-metal workcells can deliver higher-quality parts in greater quantities than traditional builds when designed with centralized PC-based control and EtherCAT connectivity. That’s especially true of deep-drawing press applications (shown below) where modular hardware and software from Beckhoff maximize throughput and minimize tolerances. To review, deep drawing is the process by which sheet metal is placed […]
How to select gear ratio for a gear reducer?
This is the first of a multi-part series on gear reducers. In this first part we look at selecting the proper gear ratio for a gear reducer. The information here is supplied by Bodine Electric Company. Gear reducers are an essential part of mechanical power transmission systems, being used for speed and torque conversion. Selecting […]
Finalists announced for Motion Control category of LEAP Awards
Finalists were announced on Friday, November 2nd for the inaugural LEAP Awards Motion Control Category. The competition was scored by a panel of independent engineering judges. The judges below were responsible for the Motion Control category. Dan Jones • President | Incremotion Associates Dan Jones started as a production worker at a motor company in the late […]
Applied Motion Products customizes integrated motor for better package handling on conveyor
Applied Motion Products customized an integrated stepper motor package that offered a single motion control solution for an innovative conveyor system that saved on space, wiring, and cost over conventional motor and drive solutions. Capable of handling packages in a variety of configurations, the innovative conveyor system needed a motor and actuator assembly that could […]
Most efficient vehicle in the world uses brushless motor in drivetrain
One little hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle holds the Guinness world record for the most efficient vehicle … and uses a slotless brushless 60L-H-175-A from Koford Motors to drive its rear power wheel. This year, the tiny car from the Duke Electric Vehicles team beat the 12,600-mpg efficiency of the PAC CAR 2, in turn designed by […]
Rockwell Automation expands TotalFORCE capabilities, power range for PowerFlex 755T drives
Rockwell Automation has expanded the power ranges and capabilities of TotalFORCE technology for its Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 755T AC drives. The drives now offer an expanded power range, helping engineers with applications from 10 to 6,000 horsepower (7.5 to 4,500 kW) improve productivity and reduce their lifecycle costs. The expansion brings harmonic mitigation, regeneration and common […]
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 […]
New rail gearbox lubricant from Klüber Lubrication enhances cold-weather operation
Klüber Lubrication’s new Klübersynth LEG 4 75 W 90 is a synthetic high-performance gear oil for rail vehicle gearboxes. Even in the cold, trains need to run smoothly and these vehicle gearboxes often operate under high loads. The new polyalphaolefin-based oil technology of Klübersynth LEG 4 75 W 90 provides a wide service temperature range, […]
ACS Motion Control SPiiPlus library for MATLAB enhances application development
ACS Motion Control has created a MATLAB library that enables users to develop sophisticated applications with advanced diagnostics capabilities directly with ACS control systems. The MATLAB library communicates with ACS’ motion controllers, allowing users to implement custom motion profiles, learning control algorithms, a custom FRF measurements, advanced monitoring systems, and much more. The SPiiPlus Library […]
What are precision-link conveyors? Summary of one type of transfer system
Precision-link conveyors index components with high accuracy, speed, and quality to give manufacturers a way to make assemble, mark, weld, and manufacturing operations more efficient. By Marc Halliburton • Engineering manager | Motion Index Drives Inc. Conveyor designs abound, and the last decade has brought more use of application-specific offerings — especially for the subcategory […]
Jim Halverson and Sandy Sullivan to lead PTDA in 2019
The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) elected its 2019 Board of Directors and Manufacturer Council at the annual business meeting during the recent PTDA Industry Summit in Colorado Springs, Colo. Jim Halverson, manager power products, Van Meter Inc. (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) will become PTDA’s president in 2019. Halverson has been active in PTDA since 2009 […]
Large through-hole angle encoders from HEIDENHAIN offer high accuracy
HEIDENHAIN’s new sealed angle encoders can be used as an alternative to modular angular encoders in motion control machining applications that require a larger than usual through-hole. The new RCN 6000 series absolute sealed angle encoders with integral bearings have an exceptionally large hollow shaft diameter of 180 mm (7.09 in.), allowing larger scale machines […]
Chip-level connectivity and design sees synergies for motion and robotics
In a recent interview with Brendan O’Dowd, general manager for industrial automation at Analog Devices, we got the chance to hear about new devices — even to the chip level — that allow better integration of robotics into motion designs and machines for automation. Eitel • Design World: We cover motion control as it relates […]
AutomationDirect adds SureStep stepper system motors, encoders and inertia dampers
New stepper motors, encoders and inertia dampers have been added to the SureStep system of step motor control. SureStep series high-torque industry-standard NEMA 14, 17, 23, and 34 stepper motors now provide holding torque from 8 to 1,288 oz-in. The new smaller frame size NEMA 14 motors (1.4-in. wide) start at $22.00 and are available […]
Omron debuts programmable multi-axis controller with fast output speeds
Motion controller output speeds are reaching an industry-leading 50 µsec/5 axes with the introduction of the new CK3M programmable multi-axis controller from Omron. The company combined motion control capability originally developed by Delta Tau Systems (now part of Omron) with its own advanced design technologies inside a compact and streamlined housing. Built with the needs […]
Motion sensors at core of home-therapy tool to retrain brains
Now, a wearable device called the FitMi from Flint Rehab is helping people with neurologic injuries (from strokes and other brain injuries) improve their strength and dexterity. FitMi contains two wireless pucks and a therapy app that picks exercises tailored to the patient’s stage of recovery. As he or she improves, the FitMi exercises and difficulty […]
New servo motor from JVL features built-in controller, nano-PLC
JVL’s newest high-capacity MAC motors with a rating of 3,000 W are complete servo systems including a high-dynamic ac servo motor, hall-sensors, encoder, power supply, driver and positioning controller and Nano-PLC, as well as facilities for incorporating various control modules such as Bluetooth, WLAN, ZigBee, EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, CANopen, DeviceNet, Profibus, Profinet, Nano PLC, RS232/RS485/USB, and […]