Couplings for servo applications usually connect precision drives to sensitive loads, so they cannot induce any error. That’s why servocouplings should be zero backlash — to prevent issues with timing and predictability (not to mention failures due to hammering on reversing axes). Couplings for servo applications must also have high torsional stiffness while imparting slight […]
What is a rack and roller pinion?
A rack and roller pinion system is a variation of a standard rack-and-pinion. It takes the traditional rack and pinion concept and advances it by replacing spur gear teeth with bearing supported rollers that engage a unique rack tooth profile. Rollers ride the rack-tooth surfaces with repeatability to about 2.5 μm from one direction (or […]
Filament extrusion machine builder gets industrial-grade performance with custom gearing and a PWM drive
Filabot, a manufacturer of plastic-extrusion machines for the 3D printing market, has just released its new and improved EX6 filament extrusion machine. The Filabot EX6 improves overall extrusion process control and consistency compared to previous models, by adding features which are standard on industrial-scale extruders. The EX6 has a higher output compared to other systems […]
Controller-drivers steer stepper-motor-driven sample-transfer machine
Gatan Inc. makes specimen-preparation equipment and recently built an alpha prototype of a new machine. The iPrep prototype mounts to a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and shuttles samples back and forth between a processing chamber and SEM receiving dock. Within the processing chamber, two broad-beam ion guns polish samples. The iPrep’s automated transfer mechanism allows […]
Spur gears: What are they and where are they used?
Spur gears are a type of cylindrical gear, with shafts that are parallel and coplanar, and teeth that are straight and oriented parallel to the shafts. They’re arguably the simplest and most common type of gear – easy to manufacture and suitable for a wide range of applications. The teeth of a spur gear have […]
Example of tight torque-limiter integration for overload protection
Ideally engineers would anticipate the need for overload protection in a drivetrain and include it in the original design. But overload problems often only appear after equipment is in use. Such designs require torque-limiter retrofits, even if existing assembly geometry is tight. Making the issue more challenging is that end users often want a solution […]
Rockwell Automation recognized by Catalyst CEO Champions For Change
Rockwell Automation is being recognized by the Catalyst CEO Champions For Change (Catalyst Champion) initiative—a collective of more than 50 high-profile CEOs who are visibly supporting and driving diversity, inclusion and gender equality within their organizations—for driving change to advance women into leadership. According to a progress report released today by Catalyst, using baseline data […]
High-speed precision large-bore ring motor from ThinGap
ThinGap has developed a large-bore compact ring motor optimized for precision and high-speed applications. ThinGap’s brushless frameless PM motor model TGO77 has an outside diameter of 77 mm (3.03 in.), 59 mm (2.32 in.) inside diameter, and 18 mm (0.709 in.) overall height. Continuous torque is approaching 0.2 Nm at speeds up to 30,000 rpm. […]
High-speed hexapod motion platform for smartphone camera optimization
Google engineers know that a shaky hand can ruin a selfie so they designed the shake out of the Pixel 2 camera using PI’s H-860 high speed hexapod system that accurately simulates motion with 6 degrees of freedom. The high accuracy and bandwidth of the shaker hexapod is a critical tool for optimizing motion and […]
Application: Gearboxes drive an innovative PARKPLUS AGV-based automated parking garage
PARKPLUS is a designer and builder of both mechanical and fully automated high-density parking setups for North America. The manufacturer recently developed an advanced parking system based on free-roaming battery-operated AGVs with omnidirectional maneuverability. Drivers pull their cars into a vehicle-receiving area and onto a large waiting platform called a tray. Then an AGV goes […]
Space-age engineering: How the Jetsons undermined the understanding of an entire (gear) industry
By Brian Dengel | General Manager • KHK USA Inc. For those of us of a certain age, the thoughts of flying cars and home robots originated with watching popular 1960s cartoon The Jetsons. The Jetsons’ world was that of a simple family living a typical 1960s life, but in a futuristic setting. Mr. George […]
What are PCI motion control cards?
PCI stands for peripheral component interconnect (PCI.) It is a computer bus for connecting together various hardware devices. A PCI motion control card is simply a card that is PCI compatible, that is, one that plugs into a PCI bus on a PC or industrial PC. In fact, for motion control cards, the most common […]
Compact closed-loop motion controller provides nanometer resolution for miniature piezo motor micrometers
PI (Physik Instrumente) L.P. has announced a new compact closed-loop motion controller. The new E-871.1A1N digital servo controller is the latest model in a series of drivers and controllers specifically designed for inertia-motor based opto-mechanical actuators (piezo ratchet drives) that are widely used in the semiconductor, laser and photonics industry for fine-tuning of complex systems. […]
Sizing and selecting servos: The need for a system approach
Never sized and selected a servo? Here we outline the basics of how interrelated parameters need a system approach. By Bob White • Manager, Training and Digital Services | Kollmorgen Sizing and selecting a servo for a motion design begins by understanding the components that make a servo motor or servo-drive system. Usually, servo designs […]
HEIDENHAIN to spotlight encoders for automation at SPS IPC Drives show
At the upcoming SPS IPC Drives show on November 28-30, HEIDENHAIN will be presenting encoders designed specifically for the requirements of the robotics, medical technology, and drive technology industries. At the show, HEIDENHAIN will present the ECI 4000 absolute inductive rotary encoder for hollow shaft diameters of 180 mm. Not only is this encoder robust […]
How to get Functional Safety certification by using encoders on robot joints?
Designers of machines and industrial equipment are taking safety seriously. Even though the European market was the first to mandate functional safety for industrial machinery and automation, design for safety is now a global engineering concern. The basis for functional safety is the need to reduce the risk of injury in industrial machinery and systems, […]
Nexen BD caliper brakes offer higher clamping force
Nexen Group, Inc. offers three models of BD (brute disk) caliper brakes; air actuated, spring actuated/air released, and spring actuated/hydraulically released. The innovative BD design uses arms to provide a mechanical advantage, allowing higher clamping force. (Stopping power can be multiplied by installing additional caliper brakes on each disc.) Torque ranges from 8,000 to 23,000 […]
Lightning Systems readies new zero-emission LightningElectric for Ford Transit
Lightning Systems has announced it is accepting pre-orders for its new zero-emissions LightningElectric system for Ford Transit.The LightningElectric battery conversion package is available for Ford Transit as part of Ford Motor Company’s eQVM program. The product will be available first on heavy-duty Transits with a 10,360-lb gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). Conversions and service are […]
Rockwell Automation collaborates with Cleveland-area college on industrial training program
Rockwell Automation has announced collaboration with Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) on an industrial training program to help meet the needs of today’s advanced manufacturing jobs. Tri-C’s new Manufacturing Technology Center for Excellence in Cleveland aims to combat the convergence of workforce challenges facing manufacturers, including changing technologies, evolving skill sets, an aging workforce and a […]
Four-axis FMAX box controller with built-in driver from Nippon Pulse
Nippon Pulse has introduced a box-level controller to join its chip and board controller product lines. The FMAX-4X-2SD is a box controller for up to four axes of movement, with built-in servo drivers for X and Y axes. The X and Y axes can control rotary and linear brushless motors, such as Nippon Pulse’s Linear […]
Belt drive axes can reduce automation costs
Mechanical engineers often need a basic, space-saving linear guide when designing technology that performs simple tasks, such as vending machines. Since such technology does not handle high loads, high speeds or high positioning accuracy, intricate linear guides are not necessary. However, most solutions on the market are very advanced, leaving manufacturers forced to either pay […]
New AniCNC application software for Class-5 SmartMotor from Moog Animatics
Moog Animatics of Moog Inc. now sells AniCNC application software exclusively for use with the Class 5 SmartMotor. When coupled with the Class 5 SmartMotor, the AniCNC software setup provides a graphical Human-Machine Interface (HMI), G-code editing and runtime environment and other built-in features to tackle milling, routing, machining, shaping and related projects. An offline […]
Jim Williams and Chris Curran to lead PTDA in 2018
The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) elected its 2018 Board of Directors and Manufacturer Council at the annual business meeting during the recent NIBA/PTDA Joint Industry Summit in Hollywood, Fla. Jim Williams, vice president corporate purchasing & supplier relations, Motion Industries Inc. (Birmingham, Ala.) will become PTDA’s president in 2018. He succeeds Tom Clawser. Williams […]
What is a rack and pinion?
Rack and pinion systems consist of a rack (or a “linear gear”) and a pinion (or “circular gear”). The teeth of a rack and pinion drive can be straight or helical, although helical teeth are often used due to their higher load capacity and quieter operation. For rack and pinion systems, the maximum force that […]
Using a dedicated pulse control LSI vs. a CPU for motion control
Pulse control LSIs specialize in motion control, and feature high operational reliability. Jerame Chamberlain Nippon Pulse In motion control, acceleration and deceleration are central to the move profiles used to control a motor. Good acceleration and deceleration control ensures quick and accurate positioning, and fast settling without damaging equipment or materials. For instance, consider a […]