Internationally active manufacturers of machine tools, 3D printers and related systems often provide their customers with the choice between two to three CNC controllers to cover regional preferences. While doing so, they follow a common-part strategy below the drive level as much as possible in order to reduce costs and complexity. In addition to interfaces […]
High Tech Measurement Feedback in a Small Package
HEIDENHAIN’s new LIP 6000 miniature linear encoder system, consisting of a scanning unit and glass scale, has the unusual capability to measure to 2 nm resolution with high speed of 4m/sec at long lengths of scale. This encoder was developed with large mounting tolerances, small interpolation error and low noise levels, thereby making the encoder…
Two new absolute linear encoders with several interface options from NUMERIK JENA
NUMERIK JENA now offers two families of absolute linear encoders to fit into tight spaces. Called the LAK and KIT LA, these non-contact encoders offer several types of electrical interfaces, including EnDat 2.2 with analog signals. This interface allows motion stage manufacturers to use the absolute position values and the analog position values for different […]
New integrated X-Y linear motor stage from PI
PI (Physik Instrumente) now offers a new reference class XY stage in its PIMag series of high dynamic linear motor stages with the V-731, equipped with incremental linear encoders for direct position measurement and 3-phase electromagnetic linear motors. Fields of application include micro-assembly, biotechnology, precision laser machining, optics, lens testing, and photonics alignment. The proprietary […]
New lightweight micro gripper designed for small fragile part assembly
A lightweight micro gripper, the MGR5 was designed for small, fragile part assembly. The MGR brings operation force 10 gram or less capability into range. Light moving mass reduces impact force during small product placement. MGR5 Specs: Compact and lightweight Light force capability 10g or less Soft-Land capability for pick and place of delicate and fragile parts […]
Hengstler absolute encoder helps harvesting technology
In Germany alone, over 10 million tons of potatoes are harvested each year. Worldwide, the total even exceeds 341M tons. More than 80 years ago, Grimme developed the first potato harvesting machine. A great deal has happened since that time, and now Grimme is the world market leader in potato harvesting technology. Besides the actual […]
20-in. travel and nanometer resolution with high dynamics from PI motorized linear stage
Precision positioning systems industry leader PI (Physik Instrumente) has released an elevated version of its ironless linear motor stage LMS-180, which is well-suited for precision automation applications in industry and research that require highly accurate linear motion over long travel with high load capacity. The LMS-180 linear stage family is available with five travel ranges […]
New High-Current HTL Encoders For Functionally Safe Rugged Drive Applications
To meet market demands for heavy equipment designed with functionally safe solutions inside, Leine & Linde introduces the new FSI 800 series rotary encoders, particularly useful in rugged motor drive applications. Well known for their robustness and reliability, these Leine & Linde encoders come complete with HCHTL (high-current HTL) signals which also make them suitable…
Is there a need for closed loop feedback greater than 20,000 CPR?
In terms of feedback, there are applications that require absolute feedback, whether that be rotary, single turn, multi-turn, the idea of in a power loss not losing position. There are absolutely applications where that’s required and examples would be extremely high value parts. If you have coordinated motion where, imagine, that you’ve moved X, Y, […]
High-precision vertical lift stage from OES — Stable and motorized option
The AT20-100 Motorized Vertical Lift Stage from Optimal Engineering Systems, Inc. (OES) is a high-precision and high-load vertical lift stage. It easily integrates into applications. The stage has a 120 x 180 mm drilled and tapped platform with vertical travel of 100 mm and moves with 3.315 µm (non-microstep) resolution, 5 µm repeatability, and 15 µm positional accuracy. […]
HEIDENHAIN to Showcase High Precision Components
HEIDENHAIN is pleased to showcase industry leading and highly accurate precision measurement components for the photonics industry at the upcoming Photonics West trade show in San Francisco, CA, from January 28 – February 2 (Booth #5237). HEIDENHAIN’s extraordinary linear and angle encoders will be highlighted. A feature on the linear side will be a truly…
Encoders in motion applications
THERE ARE AS MANY ENCODER CHOICES as there are design objectives. When encoders provide position feedback, it’s common to specify encoder resolution exceeding what the application requires as a way to address the partial count uncertainty of digital measurements. Heavy industrial equipment for metal stamping, wind turbines, printing, and steel processing often uses high-speed rotary […]
Where linear motors improve designs: Application example in multi-axis stage
Machine-tool applications and the manufacture and assembly of semiconductor components account for more than half of all linear-motor use. That’s because linear motors are precise (albeit costly compared to other linear-motion options). Other applications for these relatively new motion components also include those that need fast and precise positioning or slow and extremely steady strokes. […]
FAQ: What’s the difference between a tachometer and an encoder?
Basically, the short answer is that a tachometer gives speed information only (i.e. how fast a piece of machinery is rotating) while an encoder gives position information about some piece of machinery (i.e. where it is in s pace at some given time). The information can be about rotary position (as with rotary encoders) or […]
Absolute Sealed Linear Encoders Add Interface
Ease of interfacing a sensor is especially important in machine control applications. Even though it offered LC xx5 Absolute Sealed Linear Encoders for use with Siemens, Fanuc, Mitsubishi, and HEIDENHAIN controls for many years, HEIDENHAIN CORPORATION, recently added a Panasonic interface (Pana01) to the line. Available in 3 µm (with a 1 nm measuring step) […]
New multi-axis positioning family from PI
High-end industrial and research applications rely on precision motion stages and systems to execute mission-critical procedures and processes. PI, a leading provider of nanopositioning and motion control solutions, has developed its new family of linear, rotary, and Z-axis stages to meet those demanding requirements. Meet the L-310 vertical stage, the L-611 rotary stage, and the […]
New magnetic Kit Encoders as alternative to resolvers and optical systems
POSITAL’s new family of kit encoders provide the manufacturers of servomotors and other machinery with rugged, accurate and cost-efficient tools for building rotary position measurements into their products. The new kit encoders are based on POSITAL’s highly successful self-contained magnetic rotary encoders. Now however, the core components of these instruments are available as separate assemblies…
BGA 22 – Ironless BLDC motor now available with gearboxes and integrated controller
The BGA 22×22 dCore from Dunkermotoren is now available with a suitable gearbox, encoder and controller. The innovative, ironless, axial flow design of the BGA 22 provides definite advantages such as zero-cogging torque, low vibration, and very low audible noise. In addition to this new motor, there is a four-quadrant controller, BGE 6005 with CANopen…
2016 Neuroscience Conference Debuts PI’s Ultra-Stable Microscope XY Stage Packages
Physik Instrumente will introduce two new compact XY microscope stages based on ultrasonic piezo direct-drive motors. Model U-761 provides 25x25mm travel and is equipped with 10nm resolution linear encoders, model U-780 provides 135 x 85 mm. More after the jump. Ultra-Stable – Suitable for Imaging PI’s patented ultrasonic direct-drive motors feature millisecond responsiveness and provide a […]
Absolute linear encoders now with Panasonic interface from HEIDENHAIN
HEIDENHAIN has started series production of the new generation of LC encoders. The LC xx5 Absolute Sealed Linear Encoders have long been available for use with Siemens, Fanuc, Mitsubishi, and HEIDENHAIN controls, and can now be ordered with Panasonic interface (Pana01). As with the interfaces that have already been introduced, these encoders are available in […]
Ultrasonic piezo linear motor drives compact linear positioning stage
With the U-521, PI (Physik Instrumente), has now added a compact linear stage to its portfolio with dimensions of 35 × 35 × 15 mm, similar to the size of a matchbox. The compact design allows easy integration, even when space is limited. In addition to the high speed up to 200 mm/sec, the low […]
Nanometer-precision motion systems with magnetic direct drives and air bearings from pi
PI (Physik Instrumente), a leader in motion control and nanometer precision positioning solutions, is releasing a new catalog of its magnetic direct drives and air bearing technology solutions, including actuators, linear stages, multi-axis gantry systems, and customized systems. Application-specific solutions include precision automation in optics and semiconductor manufacturing, assembly, and test equipment. The PIMag Magnetic […]
Compact micro-translation stage for single and multi-axis precision positioning is fast and precise
PI’s palm-sized motorized positioning stage combines precision with long lifetime components, making it more attractive to research and industry. PI (Physik Instrumente) has released a low-profile motorized positioning stage – the M-122 – with a very small footprint of 60x86mm and a travel range of 25mm, best suiting it for research and industrial applications including fiber […]
Redesigned linear stages improve designs by up to 98%
Aerotech’s PRO series industrial linear motor and ball-screw positioning stages are now available in new sizes and with new features and significantly improved performance. In addition to the performance and feature improvements, two new sizes were added to the PRO-LM (linear motor) series stage line – the PRO115LM and PRO190LM. Up to 98% improvement in […]
Renishaw launches next generation of digital encoder
Renishaw caps its optical encoder range with the launch of the VIONiC series, a new ultra-high accuracy, super-compact all-in-one digital encoder family. Designed for the world’s most demanding motion control applications, this development brings together Renishaw’s renowned filtering optics with a brand new custom interpolation and monitoring ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) that enhances dynamic signal…