POSITAL’s IXARC new magnetic absolute encoders with CANopen interfaces are now available with an optional “connection cap” that makes device configuration and troubleshooting simpler and more intuitive. For previous generation IXARC magnetic encoders with CANopen interfaces, device setup was accomplished by updating software parameters, requiring special tools and expertise. The connection cap contains three rotary […]
Motion Trends: Robotics, IoT impact encoder design
We asked encoder manufacturers to weigh in on the trends they’re seeing in their industries. Here’s what they had to say. What new design trends are you seeing in areas such as robotics, battery powered designs, automated vehicles, and safety in motion control designs? Jonathan Dougherty Product Specialist HEIDENHAIN HEIDENHAIN rotary encoders are critical components […]
Low profile rotary air bearing stages
PI (Physik Instrumente) will show its latest rotary air bearing stage series at this year’s LAM/LME (Laser Additive Manufacturing / Laser’s for Manufacturing Event) show on March 27/8 in the Schaumburg Convention Center. PI’s new A-635/A-637 PIglide low-profile stages have no rolling or sliding elements and deliver frictionless, non-contact motion, resulting in negligible reversal error, […]
The Other Product of the Day: Open Source Interfaces for Motor Feedback Kit Encoders Feature 17-bit Electronic Resolution
Rotary encoder specialist POSITAL has expanded its interface offerings for its magnetic Kit Encoders, with support for the non-proprietary open-source BiSS Line communication protocol. This enables the practical implementation of single-cable technology, which is becoming increasingly popular with motor and robot manufacturers. POSITAL’s easy-to-install motor feedback kits, which feature 17-bit electronic resolution, bridge the gap…
What kind of feedback do piezo motors use?
Piezo motors are known for their extremely small size and high size-to-torque ratio, as well as high-resolution movements (micrometer and even nanometer-level resolution.) The high resolution is attributable to the inherent design of piezo motors themselves, but feedback also helps to ensure highly accurate movement on the order of nanometers. As a general rule, piezo […]
POSITAL Motor Feedback Kit Encoders — now with open-source BiSS interface
Rotary encoder specialist POSITAL has expanded its interface offerings for its magnetic Kit Encoders with support for the nonproprietary open-source BiSS Line communication protocol. This enables the practical implementation of single-cable technology, which is becoming increasingly popular with motor and robot manufacturers. POSITAL’s easy-to-install motor feedback kits, which feature 17-bit electronic resolution, bridge the gap […]
Voice coil with 1 micron positioning resolution
For the small medical instrument needs, this compact HCDS-025-038-02-B1-01 Voice Coil Stage from Moticont has a foot print of 2.000 in. (54.0 mm) wide by 5.000 in (127.0 mm) long and features a positioning resolution of 1 micron and a 0.125 in. (3.175 mm) open aperture. This precision cross roller stage has a 0.97 in.…
Megaflux direct-drive torque motors from Allied Motion now in smaller sizes
Allied Motion Technologies now sells smaller frame sizes of its frameless Megaflux direct-drive torque motors to satisfy more OEM applications. Motors come in sizes from 60 to 792 mm in outside diameter, with multiple stack lengths for each diameter: Continuous stall torque from 0.3 up to 2020 Nm (1490 lb-ft) 12 standard frame sizes from 60 […]
Open aperture voice coil stage features 1 micron positioning resolution
The compact HCDS-025-038-02-B1-01 Voice Coil Stage from Moticont has a footprint of just 2.000 in. (54.0 mm) wide by 5.000 in. (127.0 mm) long and features a positioning resolution of 1 micron and a 0.125 in. (3.175 mm) open aperture. This precision cross roller stage has a 0.97 in. (24.6 mm) range of motion with […]
Scanning performance of air bearings
Stefan Vorndran • PI (Physik Instrumente) L.P. Air bearings are common in scanning applications. Scanning involves moving either a work-piece or an optic at a constant velocity, while a reading or writing operation takes place. Such operations include printing and image-setting (writing) and imaging (reading). While the physical act of writing an image or capturing an […]
High resolution optical encoder offers 400 and 500 cycles per revolution
US Digital’s E4T line of miniature optical encoders is available with 400 and 500 cycles per revolution (CPR) resolutions. Specifically designed for robotics, medical and other industrial automation applications, the E4Ts deliver position and velocity feedback, while fitting National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) motors as small as size eight. Using state-of-the art transmissive optical sensing…
Encoder helps make packaging machines operate faster
The Sendix F58 encoders combine certified EtherNet/IP support with patented mechanical and electro-optic technologies for accuracy and reliability. These optical absolute single- and multi-turn EtherNet/IP encoders have a diameter of 58 mm. The encoders have a RPI time as low as 1 ms, which allows them to transmit position data about 5 times faster than…
Moticont adds servo actuator to SDLM Series
The new SDLM-019-070-01-01 direct drive linear motor is the latest addition to the series of zero backlash, zero cogging, high acceleration, high speed, high resolution, long life linear servo motors from Moticont. Also known as an electric cylinder, this compact direct drive linear motor is just 0.75 in. (19.1 mm) in diameter and 2.75 in […]
New EtherNet/IP series of optical encoders from Kuebler
Kuebler’s newest series of Sendix F58 encoders combines certified EtherNet/IP support with patented mechanical and electro-optic technologies that ensure accuracy and reliability. These new optical absolute single- and multi-turn EtherNet/IP encoders have a diameter of 58 mm. The Sendix F58 encoders have an RPI time as low as 1 msec, which allows them to transmit […]
Precision magnetic encoders now available with CANopen interface
POSITAL’s IXARC high-precision magnetic absolute rotary encoders are now available with CANopen interfaces. These new interface option is in addition to the previously announced SSI, EtherNet/IP, EtherCat, Powerlink, Profbus DP and Profinet interfaces. Together, this range of interface choices makes the rugged and compact IXARC encoders one of the most versatile devices of its type […]
CANopen interface on precision magnetic encoders from POSITAL
POSITAL’s IXARC high-precision magnetic absolute rotary encoders are now available with CANopen interfaces. These new interface option is in addition to the previously announced SSI, EtherNet/IP, EtherCat, Powerlink, Profbus DP and Profinet interfaces. Together, this range of interface choices makes the rugged and compact IXARC encoders one of the most versatile devices of its type […]
New encoder technology eliminates the reliability-accuracy tradeoff
Encoders are everywhere — and are vital in industrial, aerospace, energy, automotive and robotic applications. Operation in all of these applications will potentially have to take place in severe conditions, so when you are thinking about building a robot that can be used to mine for water on Mars, how do you decide on the best […]
US Digital expands its miniature optical encoder line
US Digital introduced the new E8T miniature optical encoder at ATX West 2017. Combining small form factor and resolutions up to 720 CPR, the E8T is well suited for medical and other space sensitive applications that require reliable position and velocity feedback. The E8T’s small package footprint fits motors as small as NEMA size 11 […]
MD&M West for Wednesday February 8th — What stands out on tradeshow floor
MD&M West is in full swing in Anaheim, and there were a lot of new products for use in medical devices (or medical-device manufacture) announced and shown today. This is some of what we saw at our second day at the show. Online configurability increasingly common from manufacturers I started the morning at an informative session […]
MD&M West for Tuesday February 7th — Innovation for medical applications
At every MD&M event, manufacturers from around the globe announce new products for use in medical devices — or to take them from concept to market. This is what I saw at the first day of this year’s show. First stop: Model Solution at Booth 873 (downstairs at MD&M) The first meet of the day […]
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…
Lin Engineering partners with CUI on efficient stepper-motor and encoder combo
CUI Inc. today announced a partnership with Lin Engineering, a leading manufacturer of stepper motors, to integrate CUI’s innovative AMT encoder technology with Lin’s latest, high performance motor series … … for a stepper-motor and encoder combo. Lin Engineering’s G3718V series is a NEMA 17 sized motor with a length of 0.90 inches (22.86 mm) that […]
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…