Applied Motion Products introduces three models of StepSERVO™ Integrated Motors that provide cost-effective and high-speed motion control for high throughput applications such as packaging and labeling, automated test and measurement, and automated assembly. With encoder feedback and advanced control loops that incorporate servo control, Applied Motion StepSERVO Integrated Motors provide a cost-effective motion control system…
Walk This Way: Enabling Infinite Walking In VR
In the ever-evolving landscape of virtual reality (VR) technology, a number of key hurdles remain. But a team of computer scientists have tackled one of the major challenges in VR that will greatly improve user experience–enabling an immersive virtual experience while being physically limited to one’s actual, real-world space. The research team will present their…
Reading The Minds Of Pilots On The Fly
After a plane engine blew apart at 32,000 feet in the air last month, the pilot flying Southwest Flight 1380 safely brought the Boeing 737 to an emergency landing in Philadelphia. Captain Tammie Jo Shults was heralded a hero, but a different flier may not have been able to respond as adeptly. Consider what was…
Albatross Robot Surfs Waves And Sails The Wind
MIT engineers have created a robotic glider that can ride the wind like an albatross and maneuver the waves like a sailboat, according to MIT News. The robot is designed to stay in the air if there are high winds, but when the wind is calm, the robot can dip into the water. The robotic…
Researchers Develop Virtual-Reality Testing Ground For Drones
Training drones to fly fast, around even the simplest obstacles, is a crash-prone exercise that can have engineers repairing or replacing vehicles with frustrating regularity. Now MIT engineers have developed a new virtual-reality training system for drones that enables a vehicle to “see” a rich, virtual environment while flying in an empty physical space. The system, which the team…
Flight: Research Examines Wing Shapes To Reduce Vortex And Wake
It’s common to see line-shaped clouds in the sky, known as contrails, trailing behind the engines of a jet airplane. What’s not always visible is a vortex coming off of the tip of each wing — like two tiny horizontal tornadoes — leaving behind a turbulent wake behind the vehicle. The wake poses a destabilizing…
New 30ECT Ultra EC brushless motor – Ultra high torque in a compact package
Portescap is proud to announce the expansion of the Ultra ECTM range of brushless DC slotless motors with the introduction of the new 30ECT motor. This 4 pole motor offers ultra high torque and power (up to 245W, max continuous) without compromising on the smooth operation and long life you expect from Portescap’s brushless slotless…
How does a servo drive connect to a motion controller?
Drives and controllers are key components in any motion system. A drive accepts commands from a motion controller and converts these signals into high current signals to drive a motor. So, how to connect a drive to a controller? Manufacturers offer a range of options for drive and controller connectivity. These typically break down into […]
BSC Industries motion control solutions on display at Robotics Summit
BSC Industries, a Canton, Mass.-based independent distributor of bearings, power transmission products, and electrical and automation products, will be demoing the latest solutions from its partners at the Robotics Summit & Showcase in booth 200. Taking place May 23-24 in Boston, the Robotics Summit is a multifaceted educational event dedicated to addressing the technical issues…
Elmo displaying servo drives, motion controllers at Robotics Summit
Elmo Motion Control, a leading provider of high-tech motion control solutions, will be showcasing some of its latest servo drives and motion controllers in booth 400 at the Robotics Summit and Showcase. Click here to view the exhibitor directory for the Robotics Summit. Elmo Motion Control’s West Coast Business Development Manager, Brian Mason, will deliver a…
Turning Walls Smart
A wall does not have much of function other than supporting the base of our homes and separating rooms. Sometimes, we decorate or paint them, but for the most part walls are pretty static. Now, walls are becoming “smart.” Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and Disney Research have created Wall++, a sensing approach that allows our…
ACS Motion Control’s Knowledge Center reduces engineering design time
ACS Motion Control has launched a new Knowledge Center that features advanced hardware and software guides and tools, as well as application and release notes to ease the motion control design and implementation processes. The Knowledge Center provides basic and advanced motion control content that helps engineers to quickly select and integrate the right solution…
Product of the Day: Innovative Stainless Steel Slide Way Ends Slippage for Precise Motion Control
The NB STUDROLLER is perfect for motion control applications with extremely fast acceleration and deceleration (at dimensions ranging from 30-600mm lengths, 1-12 mm rollers, endurance is 150 million cycles), NB’s new NV type STUDROLLER with stainless steel Anti-Creep Cage Technology guarantees zero slippage. See the video below for additional details on the unique properties of this…
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…
How to select a network for a motion controller?
Over a range of motion control applications, there is no one-size-fits-all approach for selecting a network. However, there are several key factors to consider when deciding on the best networking option for your particular application. For starters (and perhaps most importantly), consider timing; that is, how quickly the system reacts to inputs or changes in […]
Product of the Day: 400 Volt Servo System Offers High Performance, High Precision
Yaskawa America, Inc. has added a complete line of 400 Volt servo motors and amplifiers to its flagship series of Sigma-7 servo systems, extending the performance advantages of Sigma-7 products to all types of industrial users. The new 400 Volt offering includes a completely new amplifier design that offers unique advantages to machine builders and…
HCS series SMD high current shunts offer high current handling and low TCR
Stackpole’s popular HCS series raised element SMD current shunt resistors offer low resistance values, high power ratings, and low TCR. Resistance values as low as 0.2 milliohm and power ratings up to 10W mean the HCS series can accurately sense currents up to 224 amps. In addition, TCR for the HCS is 50 ppm for…
Orion Fans expands IP55-rated AC motorized impellers family & adds new DC motorized impeller line
Orion Fans has expanded its AC motorized impeller product offering with 14 new IP55-rated models and has added a new line of 24V and 48V DC motorized impellers with 13 models. The AC motorized impellers provide high airflow for a wide range of harsh and demanding applications. The DC motorized impellers deliver a low power…
How do STO inputs affect SIL3/PLe conformity for AC drives?
Safe Torque Off, or STO, is a drive-based safety function that stops the drive from providing power to the motor, without interrupting power to the drive. Activating the STO function produces an uncontrolled stop, meaning the motor coasts to a stop based on the system’s inertia and friction. The STO function also prevents an unexpected […]
Enhanced control software from ACS Motion Control reduces applications development time
ACS Motion Control has launched a new version of its SPiiPlus Application Development Kit (ADK) Suite motion control software with new simulation and motion machine interface (MMI) tools. The SPiiPlus ADK Suite Version 2.50 provides enhanced diagnostics capabilities to minimize setup, tuning and programming time for motion control applications. With updated ACSPL+ functions, variables and…
What is state space control?
If you design, install, or troubleshoot motion control systems, you’re probably familiar with PID (proportional-integral-derivative) control, which uses feedback to detect errors between the desired position and the actual position and applies corrective commands to compensate for those errors. Although PID control is the most common type of industrial controller, it does have limitations. First, […]
Galil Motion Control intros the Galil Design Kit (GDK)
Galil Motion Control Inc. has released the Galil Design Kit, the company’s newest software environment, providing easy communication with Galil’s motion controllers and PLCs. Galil recently introduced the new scope and tuner to GDK’s growing list of tools and capabilities. All tools are customizable by editing the XLM, located in the “more options” menu at […]
Control software from ACS Motion Control reduces development time
ACS Motion Control has launched a new version of its SPiiPlus Application Development Kit (ADK) Suite motion control software with new simulation and motion machine interface (MMI) tools. The SPiiPlus ADK Suite Version 2.50 provides enhanced diagnostics capabilities to minimize setup, tuning and programming time for motion control applications. With updated ACSPL+ functions, variables and […]
What causes plain bearing wear?
For rolling element bearings, the L10 life calculation is an easy way to determine the bearing’s expected travel life. But for plain bearings, determining life expectancy is not so straightforward. Plain bearing life is based on the amount of wear the bearing experiences, which depends on factors that are unique to each application, such as […]
NOARK Electric Features New MCCB Frame Sizes at AHR 2018
NOARK Electric, a low-voltage electrical product manufacturer, announced two new frame sizes for their Ex9M series Molded Case Circuit Breaker product line at AHR 2018: the M5 – up to 800A and M6 – up to 1200A. The full Ex9M series line now covers six frame sizes starting from M1 through M6 in a variety…