Neugart is extending its portfolio of planetary gearboxes, especially for rack and pinion drives, with an additional option for a fitted pinion from its in-house production. Two specific types of pinion are available: the PK1 pinion is fitted to the toothed output shaft of the gearbox, whereby the secure connection that is required is provided […]
KEB America debuts EtherNet/IP for S6 and F6 drives
KEB America has introduced EtherNet/IP for its S6 servo drive and F6 VFD products. EtherNet/IP is immediately available with firmware version 2.6 and higher with the application control board. KEB’s implementation uses the AC Drive Profile to increase interoperability between similar device types. KEB’s EtherNet/IP has been tested and is certified by ODVA, Inc. Supported […]
What are Hiperface and Hiperface DSL?
Position feedback is core to any servo application, and most rotary servo motors employ an integrated feedback device with a physical link back to the servo drive, allowing the drive to read the motor’s position and correct any errors between the commanded and actual positions. Two interfaces that facilitate the communication between the motor feedback […]
Common IoT and connectivity terminology related to ctrlX AUTOMATION
In a recent online event, Bosch Rexroth engineers explained their new ctrlX AUTOMATION scalable platform … which among other things, allows flexible creation of topologies. Read more about this new offering at motioncontroltips.com/bosch-rexroth-now-sells-new-line-of-automation-ctrlx-automation. Its Linux real-time operating system, support of open standards, and comprehensive IoT connections dramatically reduce engineering time. Following are videos from the […]
Part 6: IDE and other software for connectivity and IoT design work
As mentioned in Part 5 and at the top of this series, software that unifies various aspects of automation development is key to IIoT connectivity. Such software typically provides what’s called a universal engineering environment or more commonly an integrated development environment (IDE) to let engineers connect machinery with IT and other facility architectures. In […]
Part 5: Motion control + MQTT, OPC-UA, and other protocols for cloud services
In Part 4 of this series, we detailed edge computing and gateways for industrial machinery. Now consider the various protocols and communications leveraged in IIoT connectivity — for example, the SCADA, MES, and ERP architectures we already covered in Part 1 and 2 of this series. These are the most involved in IT/OT (operational technology) […]
Part 4: Edge computing and gateways proliferate for industrial machinery
Reconsider the actuators, sensors, and other edge devices covered in Part 1 and Part 2 and Part 3 of this series. Such components are fundamental to edge computing. Supported by gateways and controllers with dedicated connectivity functions, these components use their logic resources to process data before sending it onward to controls, the cloud, or […]
Part 3: Trends in Ethernet, PoE, IO-Link, HIPERFACE, and single-cable solutions
As we explored in Part 1 and Part 2 of this six-part series, machine designs are evolving with wireless connectivity, cloud-based operations, and open programming. In this installment, we explore how Ethernet has continued its expansion in industrial connectivity. We also detail increasingly useful cable types for IO-Link and HIPERFACE … as well as cross-network […]
Part 2: Wireless in predictive maintenance — and wireless connectivity uses
In Part 1 of this series, we alluded to the increased adoption of wireless technologies for automation. In fact, the market for wireless technologies, one permutation of IIoT connectivity, has exceeded $1B annually … and will grow as global competition in manufacturing pushes organizations to optimize facilities for minimized cost of ownership. Consider the input […]
Part 1: Connectivity and IoT in motion and general automation
In this six-part series, we explore how machine designs are evolving with wireless connectivity, Ethernet-based networking protocols, cloud-based operations, open programming, and various forms of edge computing. Links at the conclusion of each part follow in order, and here is a listing of all topics covered: Part 1 ⚙️ Connectivity and IoT in motion and […]
What are RAMI 4.0 and asset administration shells in the context of Industry 4.0?
Industry 4.0 — the intelligent networking of machines and processes for industry with the help of information and communication technology — was initiated by the German government in 2011 (referred to in the German language as Industrie 4.0). Since that time, the principles and technologies behind Industry 4.0 have been adopted to varying degrees by manufacturers […]
Encoders for functional safety-rated machines from HEIDENHAIN
For those needing Functional-Safety-rated (FS) contamination-resistant encoders for machine feedback, AMO (a HEIDENHAIN brand) introduces FS absolute angle and linear encoders. While Functional Safety-rated machines are a standard requirement in the European Union, machine manufacturers outside the EU are now seeing the benefit of including FS in their machines. With these encoders in use on […]
Posidyne clutch/brakes suitable for indexing conveyors, palletizers
Posidyne clutch brakes feature oil shear technology for rapid and precise stopping, starting, speed change and positioning, all without adjustment or maintenance. They are suitable for applications with frequent start/stop cycles, such as indexing conveyors that feed palletizers, rotary tables, batch feeders, rotary coal samplers, cutoff machines, and more, these unique motion control devices allow […]
New PT WORK Force resources support PT/MC employers
The PTDA Foundation, through its PT WORK Force initiative, has been working hard to assist power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) employers to support, retain and motivate employees even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Employers need tools and resources to help them navigate the new world of work. In fact, it’s more important than ever to have the […]
New precision linear stage family for ultra high vacuum applications
PI (Physik Instrumente) LP has introduced a new high precision linear translation stage family for High Vacuum (HV) and Ultra High Vacuum (UHV) applications. The L-509 vacuum stage series is offered for 3 different vacuum levels: 10-6 hPa, 10-7 hPa, and 10-9 hPa. Linear motion ranges of 26mm, 52mm, and 102mm are available. The precision-ground […]
High-power 10-pole brushless motors from Koford Engineering
Now Koford Engineering sells two new 10-pole motors. These high-performance motors are 5.07-in. (129-mm) brushless motors with no-load speeds to: • 2,866 rpm at 24 V • 5,760 rpm at 48 V Both hall sensor and sensorless versions are available. Winding temperature sensors are offered. Peak power is 2,502 watts for the 48-Volt unit and […]
Bosch Rexroth now sells new products in new ctrlX AUTOMATION platform
With the new ctrlX AUTOMATION platform, Bosch Rexroth has eradicated the traditional boundaries between machine control systems, IT, and the Internet of Things. Centralized and decentralized automation topologies can now be created flexibly with the scalable platform. Thanks to a Linux real-time operating system, open standards, app programming technology, web-based engineering and a comprehensive IoT […]
CGI Inc. now offers new Raptor-SS IP69K-rated precision planetary gearheads
CGI Inc., a leading manufacturer of custom precision gearboxes and mechanical subassemblies, now sells a new line of IP69K-rated precision planetary gearheads. These Raptor-SS series gearheads are washdown ready and built with advanced heat-treated materials — with stainless-steel construction or a white epoxy coating. Raptor-SS gearheads are compact (with lengths from 3.39 to 7.63 in.) and […]
Outer-loop control IC for brushless dc and dc brush motors
Performance Motion Devices (PMD) now sells Juno Outer Loop Control ICs — new members of the Juno family of Velocity & Torque Control ICs. These ICs provide functions for spindle control, centrifuge control, precision torque control, and a wide variety of other liquid handling and laboratory automation applications. Juno outer loop control ICs come in […]
What is OPC UA and how does it compare with Industrial Ethernet?
In manufacturing processes and plants, multiple Industrial Ethernet protocols — such as EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, or EtherCAT — are used across different networks to meet specific topology requirements, communication speeds, or latency guarantees. And although these communication protocols are open, they’re often incompatible, resulting in fragmented networks that can’t “speak” to each other. OPC UA (Open […]
Enhanced communication module from Rockwell provides added resiliency
Using primary and backup adapters for the 1756-EN4TR ControlLogix EtherNet/IP communications module lets industrial producers improve their network resiliency. This new redundant-adapter functionality is provided through a recent firmware update to the communication module. In addition to helping users improve network redundancy, the module’s firmware enhancement also offers more advantages: No single point of failure: […]
Combined displacement-inclination sensor saves costs, installation space
Many applications require both displacement and inclination to be determined. Usually two different sensors need two be applied to capture both parameters, even if the variables need to be measured at the same spot of the machine. In such cases, a combined measurement of the variables in one sensor saves costs, installation space as well […]
What is time-sensitive networking (TSN)?
Most Industrial Ethernet networks can provide hard real-time communication for multi-axis, synchronized motion control. But each one uses its own methods for time synchronization and data transmission to guarantee cycle times, latency, and jitter, making these networks incompatible with one another. Time-sensitive networking (TSN) sets out to solve the network compatibility problem by providing standard […]
Nippon Pulse offers custom-designed motion controllers to streamline applications and reduce cable mess
Nippon Pulse now offers new service for the OEM design engineers — the creation of custom-designed motion controller boards that use the Nippon Pulse Commander core for multi-axis applications. The boards can be designed to meet unique specifications, helping streamline the design process to bring a new product to market faster or reduce the manufacture […]
Omron releases new CP2E controller for compact IoT applications
Omron Automation Americas recently announced the release of its new CP2E Series all-in-one controller that provides advanced control that enables IIoT connectivity for compact machines. The controller improves manufacturing productivity and quality by making it easy to visualize the performance and data of connected machines through simple programming. Manufacturers are constantly driven to streamline their […]