The flawless launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on May 22, 2012 was another successful step for maxon motor ag in the use of high precision motors in the astronautics industry. The crucial tasks of the motors in the SpaceX mission included orienting the solar arrays of the Dragon spacecraft towards the sun for…
i124 AC Servo Drive from Ingenia Motion Control
Ingenia Motion Control announces the release of the new i124 AC Servo Drive, capable of driving several motor types including AC induction and permanent magnet brushless motors with output power up to 1 HP. It can operate as a frequency inverter with programming capabilities allowing traditional V/Hz control method. It also incorporates an active Power…
Cam Action Indexing Plungers from J.W. Winco
J.W. Winco, Inc. now offers GN 612.8 Cam Action Indexing Plungers in metric sizes. These zinc die-cast indexing plungers are economically priced, and feature a special ZNDG-Pass nano® coating that offers excellent corrosion resistance. They are RoHS compliant. The lever arm is technopolymer plastic (Polyamid PA), matte black, not removable, and the plunger pin is…
Sub-miniature Sensors for High Density Machines
Pepperl+Fuchs introduces F76 sub-miniature inductive sensors with 500 mm PVC cable. They feature a 5.5 mm x 8.0 mm low profile, surface mount housing to complement the company’s robust family of rectangular style sensors. Their miniature size and reinforced mounting make them well suited for use in a wide variety of compact industrial and commercial…
Up/Down I/O Module from WAGO
WAGO Corporation’s 750-633 Ex i Up/Down I/O module records binary signals with NAMUR-Compliant levels within hazardous locations. Part of the WAGO-I/O-SYSTEM, the 750-633 transmits the system’s counter state to a controller or higher-level control system via coupler and fieldbus. The DIN-rail mount 750-633’s modularity makes it ideal for expanding applications, such as supporting machinery within…
McLean® Brand Direct Air Cooling System
Pentair Technical Products announces the McLean® brand Direct Air Cooling System (DACS) for cooling electronics in diverse outdoor applications. DACS is a cost-effective alternative to closed loop cooling solutions for a wide range of applications. Utilizing quiet fan-based technology, enclosures equipped with a DACS cooling unit draw filtered ambient air into the enclosure to dissipate…
Custom Washers and Stampings for the Appliance Market from Boker’s
Boker’s, Inc. announces its ability to custom manufacture washer and stamping solutions for virtually any appliance application. With over 90 years of experience, Boker’s washers and stampings offer an ideal solution in diverse appliances, including air conditioning units, ventilation hoods, washing machines, dryers and many more—meeting appliance manufactures’ exact specifications. Washers are available with outside…
Lenze Upgrades Project Engineering Software for Windows 7
Lenze Americas recently released an upgraded version of its industry leading planning and design software for Windows 7 operating systems. Designed to work seamlessly with today’s PC configurations, Lenze L-force engineering and Global Drive Control (GDC) tools are fully compatible with 32-bit and newer 64-bit operating systems. Lenze drive and automation technologies are used in…
Wireless Humidity and Temperature Monitoring and Alarm System
Omega’s new series of wireless humidity and temperature monitoring and alarming systems features real time notification of humidity and temperature deviations and features a user programmable alarm that can be configured to send a message via text, screen alarm/or email if an alarm condition occurs. The OM-CP-THERMALERT-RH is equipped with wireless two-way communication, precision RTD…
Misumi Expands Lines of Cable Carriers
MISUMI USA, Inc. has expanded its offerings of Cable Carriers, which are designed to protect and guide motion control cables and air hoses commonly used in motion control machinery and equipment. Cable Carrier Support Channels are also available as conduits for the carriers. MISUMI’s new and enhanced selection of Cable Carriers and Trays include: Slit…
Ultra miniature ball screws from Steinmeyer
Steinmeyer, Inc. announced an addition to its standard line of miniature precision screws – the “world’s smallest commercially available ball screw.” New ULTRAMINIATURE ball screws are available in diameters as small as 3 millimeter with choice of two pitches – 1 millimeter or 0,5 millimeter, making this product ideal for medical applications, such as precise […]
Newport’s Air Bearing Stages Ideal for 450mm Wafer Initiative
Newport Corporation (www.newport.com), a global leader in advanced motion control solutions, has launched its latest range of high-performance air bearing stages, the new DynamYX Datum 450 and 450 GT. Based on the company’s DynamYX 300-series wafer processing and inspection platforms, the new stages are specifically developed for the 450 mm semiconductor wafer initiative and are […]
USB Data Logger Available for EXAIR’s Digital Flowmeter
EXAIR’s Digital Flowmeter provides an excellent way to monitor compressed air consumption and waste. Now, with the addition of EXAIR’s new USB Data Logger, you can also maintain a history of the Digital Flowmeter’s measurements for analysis. Use the included software to configure the Data Logger to record your flow rate. Record from once a…
Out of-the-box set-up and performance
The Motor Control System (MSC) is a new generation of variable speed systems with servo performance. The units fit into NEMA56 standard ac or dc motor frames. The products reach 3 hp and are 8 in. long. The MSC operates from 115 Vac single phase or 230 Vac single/three phase. Interface is analog through 0-10…
Bishop-Wisecarver President Appointed New CMTA Chairman
President Pamela Kan was appointed Chair of theCalifornia Manufacturers and Technology Association Board of Directors at the trade organization’s annual meeting. The CMTA is a nonprofit that works to improve the business climate for California’s 3,000-plus manufacturing, processing and tech companies – like Bishop-Wisecarver, which manufactures linear and rotary guided motion technologies. Kan first enrolled…
Safe Motion Profile for CIP Safety on Sercos
Safety of humans and machines is playing an increasingly vital role in the world of automation – machines and systems are becoming more complex while functional safety requirements are constantly on the rise. Sercos relies on CIP Safety as the functional safety protocol for Sercos networks. To ensure the interoperability and compatibility of safety-related peripheral…
Machine-mounted Safety
To provide distributed safety I/O technology in more form factors and protection levels, the EP1908 EtherCAT Box with TwinSAFE technology has been expanded to include a flexible, IP 67-rated variant for use outside of electrical cabinets and in harsh environments. The EtherCAT Box has eight 24 Vdc safety inputs, which can be used to connect…
Small, Smart and Simple Servo Drives
by Laura Carrabine, Senior Editor Traditional motion controllers mainly rely on complex centralized motion control architectures to handle the high-dynamics of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) cross-coupled feedback topology of gantry systems. In addition, traditional units require expert installers for proper operation and maintenance. A new product family proposes a more efficient servo control approach for high…
Using Power Supplies with DC Motors
By David Norton, TDK-Lambda Americas Often, there is confusion regarding the use of external diodes when power supplies are used to power dc motors. Most people know that a diode has to be used, but are unsure where to place them or what their purpose is. From a power supply concern, diodes may be used…
Rough Riding Requires Smooth Bearings
By Laura Carrabine, Senior Editor Mountain bike race courses can be quite challenging with changing terrain at every turn. For this reason, racers need lightweight and highly responsive equipment to ensure maximum control and speed. World-renowned mountain bike athlete Catherine Vipond rides the Phaser model bicycle from Norco Bicycles. It was designed and engineered with…
Novel Encoder Feedback for Position and Velocity Accuracy
For applications that require position or velocity feedback integrated into electromechanical actuators, the LinACE absolute linear encoder is a novel approach. The encoder has an accuracy of ±5 µm and delivers full closed-loop control. The encoder comprises a solid steel shaft with fully integrated scale and a sliding read-head module with no internal moving parts,…
Integrated Linear Thruster Reduces Development Time
To produce a high speed, load-bearing linear actuator today, machine and equipment builders invest a good deal of time and money to design a mechanism with rotary-to-linear motion conversion. With the Allen-Bradley® LDAT-Series™ Integrated Linear Thruster, machine builders get high speed, load-bearing linear motion out-of-the-box, reducing design and assembly time by as much as 98%.…
Bionic Grippers use Natural Principles to Conserve Energy
Energy-efficient gripping principles found in nature can be applied to automation technology and deliver small, lightweight, and powerful grippers. While gripping, holding,and setting down objects are vital production processes, conventional grippers are not always energy efficient when it comes to their gripping force-to-weight ratio. Nature, on the other hand, abounds with perfect examples of principles…
Red Lion Expands Military Ethernet Switch Line
Red Lion Controls announce the expansion of its military-grade Ethernet switch portfolio with the new Sixnet MIL300 series. These new Layer 3 switches provide Gigabit and 10-Gigabit Ethernet performance, advanced security features and a common software platform for easy deployment. Designed to meet military specifications for use in harsh defense environments that include battlefield communications,…
MetalliCard Metal Markers by Weidmuller
Weidmuller introduces new MetalliCard metal markers, offering an innovative customized labeling system to provide users with an in-house print capability on aluminum or stainless steel marker-plates which are ideal for push button and control panel identification. Weidmuller’s MetalliCards provide an extremely versatile solution for labeling all around the electrical control cabinet: with just one printer,…