A new measurement concept aims to set a standard that promises to get at real-world levels of precision in motion control systems. Bill Hennessey • CEO/Founder • ALIO Industries Technological advancements often require a root and branch change in the language and nature of discussion associated with them. Consider the case of electricity. When it […]
New micro brakes for servo motor applications from Ogura
A new line of micro brakes from Ogura is designed specifically for servo motor applications, especially in robotics and medical equipment. Ogura micro holding brakes come in both square and round designs with the newest round design being 10 mm in diameter with length is as short as 9 mm. Micro brakes can weigh 20 […]
Environmental effects on motion components in robots
Here we outline leading factors affecting the longevity and performance of industrial robot joints. This feature was contributed by Kollmorgen engineering staff. Links refer to supporting research listed at the feature conclusion. Recent years have seen continuous demand in numerous industries — automotive manufacturing to computer, communication, and consumer electronics (3C) product fabrication — for […]
Kollmorgen showing motion innovations at PACK EXPO 2019
Kollmorgen will exhibit its industry-leading motion control technology (including exciting new products) at Pack Expo in Las Vegas on September 23 to 25. Attendees are invited to visit Booth C-3726 to learn how the company’s new AKD2G servo drive and AKM2G servo motor system, software solutions for automatic guided vehicles (AGVs), robotic gearmotors, and hygienic […]
ETEL adds EtherCAT option to its AccurET controls
Available in North America from HEIDENHAIN CORPORATION is a new version of the ETEL-brand AccurET controls with EtherCAT compatibility. As EtherCAT communication moves from “mid-end” automation to more high-end machine control applications, demand for this has been increasing. With that in mind, ETEL now allows its product users to take full advantage of its line […]
New integrated motors feature Power over Ethernet (PoE) for space-constrained and remote locations
The new TSM14POE StepSERVO Integrated Motor from Applied Motion Products features Power over Ethernet (PoE) functionality commonly used in IT applications such as wireless access points, IP cameras and VoIP phones. PoE technology provides dc power and Ethernet communications over a single cable, enabling innovative solutions for space-constrained and remote locations. The TSM14POE StepSERVO Integrated […]
Getting servo motor and drive phase and commutation alignments right
Addressing issues related to commutation alignment between AC PM servo motors and servo drive amplifiers — especially when motor and drive are from different manufacturers — can be quite challenging. Here we outline how to make that easier. By Hurley Gill • Senior applications and systems engineer | Kollmorgen In this article, we’ll start by confirming […]
Kollmorgen launches new version of Motioneering, its online servo sizing tool
Kollmorgen’s next generation of Motioneering is faster and more intuitive, offers customizable-to-application requirements, allows side-by-side comparison of multiple systems, and enables user access to the latest products and updates. Motioneering, the company’s innovative servo sizing tool, was introduced more than 20 years ago to help mechanical design engineers find the ideal motion products to build […]
Video: New general-purpose ac drives from Control Techniques Commander series
Control Techniques a Nidec Motor Corporation business now offers its latest Commander series general-purpose ac drives. Detailing the new Commander C200 and C300 is this video: The Commander C series is available in frame sizes 1 through 9 with horsepower ratings from 0.33 to 200 hp and supply voltages of 115, 230, and 460 Vac. […]
Merger of two existing product lines: Dorner’s FlexMove conveyors
Dorner has consolidated two existing product lines and unified them into a single platform, which is now called FlexMove. While the FlexMove name isn’t new to Dorner, it now incorporates the features and strengths of the former SmartFlex conveyor line. The FlexMove flexible chain conveyor brings the best engineering and performance standards in flexible conveying […]
Motion-failure alarm from Siemens supports commissioning and configuration
Siemens now sells a Sitrans WM300 motion failure alarm (MFA) to detect changes in the motion and speed of rotating, reciprocating, or conveying equipment. This alarm acts as an early warning system for a plant’s machinery, alerting users to potential problems in their operations before they occur or develop into something more serious. This versatile […]
Miki Pulley introduces BXH “Lock-In-Place” brakes
“Lock-In-Place” Brakes from Miki-Pulley provide long-term positioning for direction control wheels on picking forklifts and similar applications. Designed for both braking and holding, these Power-Off engaged BXH model brakes from Miki-Pulley are opened using an electromagnetic field, and hold in a default closed position with compression springs. They have double the torque of similar brakes […]
Miniature rotary encoder boasts high resolution and built-in brushless dc motor commutation
Quantum Devices Inc. now offers a new miniaturized commutating/incremental optical encoder option. The new QM22 series of incremental encoders offers a super compact 22-mm diameter and a 12.4-mm thickness. These are suitable for high-volume OEM applications and fit on NEMA 11 BLDC servo motors. The QM22 offers high resolution and a great variety of electrical […]
Oriental Motor AZ Series ac input drivers now available with EtherNet/IP
Oriental Motor now offers EtherNet/IP communications on the AZ Series ac input line of stored data network drivers. These AZ Series drivers maintain the features of other AZ Series drivers … and this new communications driver model is compatible with all AZ Series products. AlphaStep AZD (ac input) stepper motor drivers offer superior high-speed performance, […]
40-mm high-power motor from Koford Engineering
Koford Engineering LLC has introduced a new 40-mm (OD) outer rotor sensorless brushless motor with a built-in internal fan. The motor produces a peak output is 900 watts with a weight of only 203 g for a power to weight ratio of 4.4 watts per gram. Continuous power is 498 watts at 10,826 rpm with […]
What does software for motion controllers look like?
Software for motion controllers can mean a few different things, so it helps to clear up exactly what is meant by the phrase. For one thing, it can refer to the programming of motion controllers; that is, telling the controller what exactly to do in a system. It can also refer to other aspects including […]
Shock-absorber technologies for automated applications
Design engineers who employ advanced damping and vibration isolation can vastly improve the performance of their industrial-automation machinery. By Larry Cavalloro • ACE Controls A top objective for designers of industrial-automation machinery is to build and tune axes for minimal vibration (free or forced); gently and precisely slow axes’ moving masses; and render unavoidable machinery […]
New high-power, 40-mm motor from Koford Engineering
Koford Engineering has introduced a new 40-mm OD outer rotor sensor-less brushless motor with a built-in internal fan. The motor produces a peak output of 900 W with a weight of only 203 g for a power-to-weight ratio of 4.4 W/g. Continuous power is 498 W at 10,826 rpm with no heat sinking and peak […]
Brushless servo motors from Orbex enhance efficiency
The Orbex Group, a manufacturer of electric motors and slip rings, now offers brushless servo motors that combine high torque, low inertia, and various customizable options to improve efficiency in dynamic servo-driven applications. In fact, customizable elements include the motor windings, holding brakes, feedback options, gear reducers, connectors, and shaft and mounting. Available in a […]
NORD extends single-stage, helical gear unit line with three new sizes
NORD Gear Corporation has added three single-stage gear units to its NORDBLOC.1 line. The new SK 871.1, SK 971.1 and SK 1071.1 represent the three largest single-stage NORDBLOC gear units manufactured by NORD and provide exceptional thrust load capacity per case size. The new products have a power range of 30 to 60 hp, a […]
Guest blog: How will smart conveyors improve industry?
By Megan Ray Nichols • STEM Writer | schooledbyscience.com Conveyor belts have existed since the late 18th century and have carried nearly every product in the world. The first iterations used leather belts running on wooden rollers to move goods onto ships in port. Nearly all modern iterations use motors instead of hand cranks and […]
Unidrive DFS free-standing drives now available from Control Techniques
Users of high-power drives can now receive pre-engineered ready-made drive enclosure systems in as little as one day for emergency breakdowns — via Control Techniques’ Drive Free Standing (DFS) Series. Mission-critical machines and project timelines are supported with rapid deployment capabilities of select factory stocked units, as well as industry best leadtimes across the power […]
High-precision vertical elevator stages
Optimal Engineering Systems Inc. (OES) has released two new high precision Z-Axis Elevator Stages. The AZV9010 and the AZV9020 Motorized Z-Axis Linear Positioning Stages have vertical travels of 10 mm and 20 mm respectively. The vertical motion of each Z-Axis Stage is driven by an 8-mm diameter ball screw with a 1-mm lead, and guided by […]
Six common mistakes to avoid when specifying and using step motors
The mistakes we outline here have been corrected countless times by thousands of step-motor users around the world. Avoid these mistakes with the presented solutions — and make your next application a successful one. By Eric Rice • National Marketing Director | Applied Motion Products Step motors offer the automation industry a cost-effective and simple […]
PTDA 2019 Industry Summit amplifies industry connections in Austin
The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) is expecting 550 delegates in the power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) industry at the PTDA 2019 Industry Summit in Austin, Texas. Representing over 200 PTDA distributor and manufacturer companies, delegates will attend for cross-channel networking, shared learning and collaborative experiences at this year’s Industry Summit, themed Amplify. Those registering before August […]