Engineers can simplify their machine safety systems and improve safety performance using new controllers from Rockwell Automation. The Allen-Bradley GuardLogix 5580 and Compact GuardLogix 5380 controllers can be scaled from safety system levels SIL 2/PLd to SIL 3/PLe. This scalability can help engineers optimize a safety system design and potentially reduce its costs, while adhering […]
GAM Enterprises SPH planetary gearbox for cyclic or continuous high-speed applications
The SPH inline planetary gearbox is GAM’s latest setup for today’s demanding motion control challenges. With helical gears, the SPH is designed for dynamic and cyclic applications and can also be optimized for high speed and continuous-duty applications. It is available in six frame sizes with nominal torque ratings 15 to 900 Nm. The SPH […]
What is non-uniform memory access in industrial controls?
Non-uniform memory access (NUMA) is a kind of memory architecture that allows a processor faster access to contents of memory than other traditional techniques. In other words, in a NUMA architecture, a processor can access local memory much faster than non-local memory. This is because in a NUMA setup, each processor is assigned a specific […]
Conveyor manufacturer Dorner now includes FlexMove and Geppert-Band companies to transform automation
In a move that combines more than 100 years of conveyance expertise, Dorner Holding Co. (the parent company of Dorner Mfg. Corp.) FlexMove and Geppert-Band GmbH is merging the three entities into one consolidated brand of Dorner. The new Dorner boasts a global workforce of more than 400 and brings a diverse conveyor automation product […]
Lafert North America appoints new inside-sales team members
Lafert North America, a manufacturer of metric AC Motors, metric gearboxes and coolant pumps, has appointed Joel Fernandes and Jesse Sagoo to new positions. Joel Fernandes will fill the role of sales representative. Fernandes brings 9 years of sales experience to Lafert with time spent in the construction and power distribution industry. A graduate of the University […]
How do cam clutches work, and what are other overrunning clutch options?
Mechanical overrunning clutches, sometimes called one-way or backstop clutches depending on the context, transmit torque in one drive direction but let the output axis continue to turn (freewheel) when the driving motor slows or stops. Such clutch function is useful in large and small designs for material handling, packaging, conveying, medical, turbine auxiliary drives, and […]
Schneider Electric launches Altivar Machine ATV340 variable speed drive
Schneider Electric has expanded its Altivar family of variable speed drives to include the new Altivar Machine ATV340. Designed to address the challenges of the smart machine era, the new Altivar Machine ATV340 drive combines easy installation with cutting-edge application control and advanced, easy-to-integrate automation capabilities. The Altivar Machine ATV340 variable speed drive is suited […]
Step-Flex couplings from Miki Pulley improve ball screw performance
Miki Pulley’s Step-Flex couplings improve ball screw performance while solving resonance and vibration problems. The Step-Flex is an altogether new class of shaft coupling. The coupling design has a two-part elastomer element combination. This assembly dampens vibration caused by the actuator carrier when struggling to find its home position by making small adjustments in rapid […]
New bevel-gearbox from ABM Drives
ABM Drives’ new TDB230/254 Kombi is a bevel-gearbox for material handling applications. The gearmotor features an increased output torque, quiet running, and a long service life and is suitable for building vehicle platforms for material handling trucks. Manual or electric steering can optionally be selected. The TDB230/254 Kombi is flexible and designed for wheel diameters […]
What are pulses per revolution for encoders?
Pulses per revolution (or PPR) is a parameter associated with encoders. Basically, it is a measure of the number of pulses per full revolution or turn of the encoder, with a full revolution being 360 degrees. In essence, it is a measure of an encoder’s resolution. But what counts as a pulse may have different […]
How to design gearmotors for extreme ambient conditions
Following some straightforward advice on gearmotor design will help ensure your gearmotor works in the most extreme environments. Gabriel Venzin President ABM Drives Inc. Designing a gearmotor application is tough enough in more or less “normal” conditions, normal here meaning something like room temperature and stable or typical humidity and altitude. Throw that application into […]
Zero-backlash servo rotary indexing table from Sankyo Automation
The Sankyo Automation RollerDrive Reducer is a precision gear reducer that uses a zero-backlash roller gear mechanism. The unit is constructed from an input shaft and a turret (output shaft) that is assembled with roller followers. The roller followers are preloaded against a screw-like input shaft to eliminate backlash. Sankyo servo indexing tables offer a […]
Compact, low-power absolute encoders offer 12-bit or 14-bit resolutions
CUI’s Motion Group has added two absolute encoder series, outputting 12 bits or 14 bits of single-turn absolute position information, to its line of AMT modular encoders. The AMT21 series, featuring high speed RS-485 communication, and the AMT23 series, designed with a Synchronous Serial Interface (SSI), are based on CUI’s proprietary capacitive sensing technology. The […]
Clutch/brakes allow precise positioning with virtually no maintenance or adjustment
Posidyne clutch brakes from Force Control Industries feature oil shear technology for rapid and precise stopping, starting, speed change and positioning, all without adjustment or maintenance. Ideal for applications with frequent start/stop cycles, such as indexing conveyors, rotary tables, batch feeders, rotary coal samplers, cutoff machines, and more, these unique motion control devices allow higher […]
WITTENSTEIN Galaxie drive systems now include new sizes and ultra-flat and hypoid versions
WITTENSTEIN, manufacturer of motion-control products, servo systems, and mechatronic systems, has now expanded its Galaxie system product line to include more sizes, a hypoid version, and a new ultra-flat version. The new products will be launched at the upcoming Hannover Messe Fair in Germany this April 23 to 27, 2018. The expanded Galaxie product line […]
What is a stepper motor’s velocity limit?
A velocity limit for a stepper motor is essentially a top speed that is set by a user beyond which the motor will not go. Why is this useful? Mainly because stepper motors have a speed where a resonant frequency is reached and may cause it to vibrate. This can cause the motor to become […]
Joral introduces true non-contact rotary encoder with rectangular design
PE18 ProxEncoder non-contact rotary encoder product line receives a square housing with side sense capacity. Enhancing the original PE18 proximity style form factor, the new rectangular design allows for easy mounting on flat surfaces. Two USPTO patents enable the PE18-BX ProxEncoder to detect on-axis rotation with up to 0.5-in. (12mm) air gap between the application and […]
Teledyne DALSA to preview multi-line CMOS camera
Teledyne DALSA, and Teledyne e2v, both Teledyne Technologies companies and global leaders in image sensing technology, will be co-located at The Vision Show, in booth #517 from April 10th to 12th. Teledyne DALSA will display its newest and most advanced multi-line CMOS camera while Teledyne e2v will display their new OctoPlus range of line scan […]
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 […]
Exoskeleton joint actuator is reliable, powerful, efficient
Maxon Motor has developed an exoskeleton drive for use in robotic limbs. This complete joint actuation unit consists of a pancake brushless DC motor with inertia optimized rotor. Also included is an internal high resolution encoder, planetary gearhead with absolute encoder and a position controller with CAN and RS232 interface. Fitting absolute encoder directly at […]
New large contactors from Rockwell simplify motor control, improve energy efficiency
Global machine and equipment builders designing panels for global markets need to select the right components to meet numerous international standards as well as address changing energy-efficiency guidelines. To address these needs, Rockwell Automation has released the Allen-Bradley Bulletin 300 NEMA contactors and Bulletin 100-E IEC contactors to help machine builders design smaller, more energy-efficient […]
Motion Trends: Drives benefit from more connectivity, integration
Some of the leading drive manufacturers tell us what trends they’re seeing in the industries they serve and what is new and coming down the road. What new design trends are you seeing in areas such as robotics, battery powered designs, automated vehicles, and safety in motion control designs? Tom Jensen SVP/General Manager AMK Automation […]
Couplings from Zero-Max now available with hubs for k6 and j6 shafts
ServoClass couplings in both Single and Double Flex models are now available with hubs for k6 and j6 shafts. These couplings from Zero-Max provide high torsional stiffness and are designed to handle high speed reversing loads and precise positioning requirements in today’s demanding servomotor applications. The Single and Double Flex ServoClass models handle bore diameters […]
Motion Trends: Customized solutions drive gearmotor development
The driving force in gearmotor design and development in large part is the desire for customized solutions, which consists in large part of simplifying integration into mechanical designs. These trends are driving gearmotor manufacturers to offer their customers more simplicity. Along these lines, suppliers are offering their customers more in-house engineering resources to help them […]
AeroDef Booth #1053: Physik Instrumente (PI) motion simulation for image stabilization and rover-proven actuators
PI (Physik Instrumente) is showing an application of its six-axis hexapod for motion simulation such as used to optimize stabilization systems on vessels, drones and even for cell phone cameras. PI hexapods come in a variety of sizes with bases ranging from 100 mm to 1m, different stiffness configurations, and supportive of loads from 2 […]