AutomationDirect has added integrated motors and drives to its SureStep line of stepper motion control products. Integrated stepper motor/drives save panel space, require less wiring and are less expensive. The new SureStep integrated drive/motor units provide accurate micro-stepping position and speed control for smooth motion and step response and require only two components; power supply […]
QuickSilver extends integrated motor/controller family of hybrid servomotors
QuickSilver Controls has released the X-series 34 frame SilverMax Integrated Servo Motor Family, extending its well-established Hybrid Servo product line. The QCI-X34 series operates from 12.5 to 72 V (processor section 12 to 48 V.) It features mechanical power out levels up to 850 W. The X34CK-1 and -2, and X34CT-1 have been added as […]
New Unitronics VFD offerings for motion control — integrate with PLC + HMI products
In keeping with a commitment to centralize and streamline industrial automation and control, Unitronics is announcing a new VFD line. Unitronics, the leading experts in the development and manufacture of integrated PLC + HMI controllers, has launched its own line of variable frequency drives (VFDs). With this launch, the manufacturer can better meet customer demand for […]
PTDA welcomes four new members
The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA), the leading association for the industrial power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) distribution channel, recently welcomed four new member companies. Distributor members Misumi USA (Schaumburg, Ill.) currently serves more than 240,000 customers worldwide by supplying mechanical components for factory automation, press die and plastic mold components, cutting tools and gauges. Chuck Millstead, […]
New QPhase encoders from Quantum Devices
The new QM35 and QML35 modular incremental optical encoders from Quantum Devices are high-performance, low-profile modular designed encoders. These encoder models are suited for high volume QEM applications and priced competitively for all size servo motors and other precision motion control positioning systems. Available in 14 standard precision line counts up to 13 bits or […]
Closed-loop motor feedback with the absolute advantage
Posital has expanded its line of kit-style encoders for feedback for servo and stepper motors with new models that use the same mounting form factor as incremental kit encoders from US Digital, Broadcom and other manufacturers. This makes it very easy to upgrade a motion control application from incremental to absolute position control. With Posital […]
Chuck Sena named industry manger – sanitary for Dorner
Chuck Sena has been named Industry Manager – Sanitary for Dorner. Within this role, Sena will be working with sales, marketing and channel partners to develop and execute strategic plans to drive sales of Dorner’s sanitary conveyor platform to both new and existing customers and markets. Sena brings nearly 30 years experience of conveyor, packaging machinery […]
Heidenhain announces new CEO
Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH has announced the appointment of David Doyle as CEO of Heidenhain Corp., effective Oct. 1, 2018. At that time, Doyle will assume full responsibility for the Heidenhain Corp. customer-focused operations for the U.S., Canada and Mexico. This change will complete the succession plan for Rick Korte, current CEO of Heidenhain, who will be retiring […]
Beckhoff IoT edge device provides path to Industry 4.0-enabled process technology
Modern smart factory concepts tailored to Industry 4.0 or the Internet of Things (IoT) offer numerous advantages for increasing process efficiency and quality while lowering costs. The ultra-compact C6015 Industrial PC (IPC) from Beckhoff is a suitable space-saving, high-performance IoT edge device that fully uses these advantages for new and legacy systems in the process industries. By integrating comprehensive IoT and […]
How to kill your favorite variable frequency drive
Though not a complete list, following are some tried-and-true methods some have unintentionally used to destroy variable frequency drives (VFDs). Avoid the following situations to help your VFD live a long and fruitful life. By Paul Avery | Product Training Engineer at Yaskawa America • Drives and Motion Division You once loved your VFD. Shiny […]
Elmo Motion Control at IMTS: Making smart machines smarter
At IMTS 2018, Elmo Motion Control will showcase its new Double Gold Twitter ultra-small servo drive and its Platinum Maestro motion controller, which controls up to 256 axes. These motion products suit the most demanding applications in the era of Industry 4.0. The new Double Gold Twitter is among the smallest STO-certified (IEC 61800-5-2, SIL-3) […]
NORD SK 02040.1 — new gearmotor offering with high-strength aluminum-alloy features
With the new SK 02040.1 the NORD DRIVESYSTEMS range now includes a high performance, light, and versatile helical worm gear unit for myriad applications. Manufacturers across a several industries will benefit from NORD DRIVESYSTEM’s newest helical-worm gear unit. The redesigned two-stage SK 02040.1 is suitable for conveyors in food and beverage, bottling, manufacturing, warehousing and […]
maxon motor’s EPOS programmable smart drive-controller simplifies positioning setup
EPOS is a modular, digital positioning controller by maxon motor. It is suitable for controlling permanent magnet-activated motors with encoders in a range of 1 to 1,050 W continuous output power. The wide range of operating modes (as well as various command interfaces) make it versatile for use in many different drive systems in the […]
28 mm (1.10 in.) planetary and harmonic gearheads for dc input αSTEP AZ series stepper motors
Oriental Motor now offers new planetary and harmonic gearheads for the AlphaStep AZ Series DC input stepper motor in 28 mm (1.10 in.) frame size. The AlphaStep AZ Series stepper motors are part of the Hybrid Control System and delivers high efficiency and low vibration together with Oriental Motor’s newly developed Mechanical Absolute Sensor for […]
Oriental Motor 60 W (1/12 hp) right-angle motor joins BMU and BLE2 series brushless motors
Oriental Motor now sells an expanded line of its popular BMU and BLE2 Series brushless dc motor with the addition of a new right-angle 60-watt (1/12 HP) model. The new right-angle 60 watt (1/12 HP) brushless motor uses the BL5 motor and features an IP66 connector. It is combined with a hollow shaft right-angle hypoid […]
Kristin Werner named recipient of Richard C. Ryan Packaging Education Scholarship
Kristin Werner, a student at Hennepin Technical College in Minneapolis, has been named recipient of the 2018 Richard C. Ryan Packaging Education Scholarship, funded by Dorner. This $2,000 scholarship is awarded to a student enrolled in a two- or four-year program at any of PMMI’s partner schools. The scholarship was established in honor of Richard […]
More details on the trend towards Ethernet-based networking protocols
In a recent survey of industry experts, many mentioned Ethernet-based networking protocols overtaking traditional fieldbuses. Recall that industrial communication protocols (including those based on Industrial Ethernet) are messaging systems for automated installations. Some fieldbuses are more reliable than nondeterministic Ethernet offerings, but Ethernet speeds now lead. “Some old bus systems have data rates in the […]
PTDA Foundation endorses Manufacturing Day 2018
Manufacturing Day, scheduled for October 5, 2018, presents an opportunity for power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) distributors to support their manufacturer suppliers and raise their own visibility as an employer within their own communities. PT WORK Force, an initiative of PTDA Foundation to help PT/MC employers with employee recruitment, hiring and retention, has three new volunteer […]
High-performance sensorless control from maxon motor
Now, a new control option from maxon motor has compact wiring and slim design. Called the HPSC, this sensorless speed and torque control allows field-oriented control (FOC) of brushless motors. Such control is without sensors from full stop to full speed under load. This HPSC uses a sophisticated signal-injection algorithm which precisely determines the rotor […]
PTDA releases “Voice of the End Customer” report
According to the newly released PTDA Voice of the End Customer report — which includes quantitative and qualitative responses from more than 1,200 customers of power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) products from a variety of industries — there are distinct differences in what end customers want from their distributors depending on the type of industry, the […]
POSITAL closed-loop motor feedback for absolute positioning
POSITAL FRABA encoders for closed-loop motor feedback allow upgrades to existing motion control applications. The mechanical drop-in replacement encoders have the same footprints as US Digital’s E5 models and Broadcom’s (Avago) HEDS-5500 models. POSITAL kit encoders provide absolute position feedback — to give controls complete information on the physical position of the mechanical components they’re […]
Seattle-area Motion Industries distribution center now open
Motion Industries, a leading distributor of maintenance, repair, and operation replacement parts and a wholly owned subsidiary of Genuine Parts Company, has opened the doors for business at its new distribution center (DC) at 4401 D Street NW, Suite A, in Auburn, Wash. The facility is managed by Ryan Mort. The DC’s strategically chosen location […]
Three ways to reduce heat when operating a step motor
Reduce motor heat by reducing idle and running current — or switch to closed-loop control. Eric Rice | Applied Motion Products Step motors are widely used motion-control devices because of their simple setup and accurate positioning with an open-loop configuration. But problems associated with heat generation can arise. That’s because the drive that powers an […]
Three-axis gimbal mount from OES: High resolution and stability
A new Optimal Engineering Systems, Inc. (OES) AU300-AER three-axis gimbal mount features full 360° rotation of each axis. This three-axis gimbal mount handles loads to 10 kg (22.5 lb) and has a clearance of 300 mm x 300 mm, (11.8 in. x 11.8 in.) around the roll axis stage. The azimuth stage rotary table mounts […]
Safety brakes and intelligent monitoring from mayr for brake technology 4.0
Safety brakes by mayr power transmission are equipped for the challenges of the Industry 4.0. The coordinated system guarantees the highest level of operational and functional safety … … and increases the productivity of machines and systems through predictive error detection and maintenance. Brake technology 4.0 stands for intelligent monitoring modules; modules such as the […]