WiFi is indispensable in today’s industrial controls marketplace — so control devices have evolved to include WiFi connectivity. One catch: Industrial control networks must function in realtime and be available, responsive, and secure — design objectives that often conflict with pressures to reduce costs while boosting connectivity and remote access. As a solution, Maple Systems HMI5103L […]
What is PC control for motion?
Motion controller architectures can be one of several types. Among the most common are stand-alone controllers and PC-based control. PC control for motion typically takes the form of so-called industrial PCs. These feature processors just like a typical PC but a lot of the other components are ruggedized and designed for operation in an industrial […]
Touchscreen HMIs offer low-price option for local machine control
When it comes to standalone machines needing only local machine control, price is a key design consideration — and such machines demand quality HMIs at a great value. To serve such applications, Maple Systems now sells Basic HMIs for local machine control at a low cost. The Basic HMI series is suitable for companies and […]
200,000 rpm brushless motor from Koford with air-cooled bearings
Koford Engineering LLC now sells a new line of 24-v high speed motors with air cooled bearings for long life at speeds up to 200,000 rpm. These motors are 48 mm in diameter and are very quiet. Continuous power up to 85 W is possible. Applications include optical devices and high-speed blowers and pumps. Beam […]
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 […]
Smart HMIs (from Maple Systems) now with MySQL database connectivity
At times it’s difficult to get valuable data from the production floor to operations and management. Here, Maple Systems Smart HMIs can help — by connecting to MySQL databases and letting plant managers send logged data and event (alarm) information to a MySQL server. Now one can synchronize sampled data to a remote MySQL server […]
IBA/PTDA Joint Industry Summit in Florida will be held as scheduled
Over the weekend, Hurricane Irma caused much damage across the Caribbean and up Florida’s west coast. the thoughts are with those who were affected by this catastrophic storm. Fortunately, The Diplomat Beach Resort — the host hotel for the NIBA/PTDA Joint Industry Summit — was spared Irma’s wrath and is ready to host member participants […]
Gearboxes and gear motors market growing, says F&S Mechanical Power Transmission team
The global gearboxes and gear motors market is witnessing steady growth, augmented by the adoption of more energy-efficient gearboxes and gear motors, investment in wind energy, material handling, food and beverages, and replacement demand from developed regions. Successful companies will be those that continuously enhance the power transmission efficiencies of their gear systems, focus on vibrant […]
MAXXDRIVE industrial gear units from NORD now in more sizes
NORD Drivesystems recently added two new sizes to the MAXXDRIVE line. The new 133,000 & 177,000 in-lb nominal torque units are a well-received addition to the now 11-member family, complementing the larger units and promising even greater flexibility to system designers. The entire MAXXDRIVE line is modular, and can be configured with a wide array […]
Maple Systems new 10-in. HMI5102L HMI now $850
Now, Maple Systems offers its HMI5102L high-resolution 10-in. widescreen HMI — one of the highest-resolution 10-in. graphic HMI displays in the marketplace — for only $850. The HMI5102L HMI’s ultra-slim format and easy programming simplifies setup and integration; the 1024 x 600 high-resolution TFT and bright 262,000 color display boost readability. Other features of the […]
Interroll’s new-generation belt drives (synchronous + asynchronous) at Pack Expo
The Interroll Group, the leading global provider of material handling setups, is bringing a new generation of belt drives to the North American market. This innovative motor platform is predominantly for modern conveyor belt systems in manufacturing, food and beverage, distribution centers and airports. It features a completely modular design and offers both synchronous and […]
SPIROL receives GM Supplier Quality Excellence Award at two manufacturing facilities
Two of the manufacturing locations of SPIROL International Corp. have received the 2016 General Motors Supplier Quality Excellence Award for getting operational excellence and quality control. This is SPIROL Canada’s fifth year and SPIROL Connecticut’s third year receiving this prestigious award. According to the letter sent by General Motors notifying SPIROL of the awards: “The award […]
Brother Gearmotors to showcase new right-angle hypoid gearing brushless dc gearmotors at Process Expo
Brother Gearmotors, a division of Brother International Corporation, will showcase its new line of brushless dc electric gearmotors (BLDC) at Process Expo, September 19-22 in Chicago. Brother Gearmotors will be located at Booth #4302. Also known as electronically commutated motors, Brother’s portfolio of brushless dc gearmotors are suitable for environments requiring virtually maintenance-free operation and […]
How to get a variable frequency drive (VFD) running with minimal effort
Here we cover the specifics of how variable frequency drives (VFDs) operate and ways to simplify their installation and setup. By Bob Bonczar, Yaskawa America | Technical Training Services Variable frequency drives or VFDs — which we call simply drives in this context — operate in a wide array of industries. They’re often behind the […]
HMI from IDEC uses worldwide standard 4.3 in. LCD screen size
IDEC Corp. now sells 4.3 in. HG1G HMIs … one of industry’s first display products to leverage the worldwide standard 4.3 in. LCD screen size. Because this screen size is so widely used in consumer gaming devices and other commercial products, it effectively obsoletes HMIs with smaller screen sizes by offering a larger and higher […]
Why are servo drives also called servo inverters, amplifiers, and controllers?
In answering this question, it may be easiest to begin with the term “servo drive” itself. If we start with the term “drive”, here’s what a drive does in a servo system. It basically takes an input signal from a controller and amplifies that signal which is then sent to the motor. And in that […]
New CS Electromagnetic actuated clutches from Miki Pulley
Miki Pulley’s CS Electromagnetic Actuated Clutches are durable, versatile and have excellent torque transmission features. CS Clutches provide an efficient connection between a motor and a load providing low inertia, minimal drag and very quiet operation. They function utilizing the magnetic force generated by the energized coil providing engagement of input and output members of the clutch. […]
Rockwell Automation announces CEO Blake Moret will become Chairman
Rockwell Automation Inc. has announced that its board of directors has elected President and Chief Executive Officer Blake D. Moret as chairman of the board effective Jan. 1, 2018. Moret, 54, succeeds Keith D. Nosbusch, who has served as chairman since 2005 and remains as a director. The company will continue to have an independent […]
New lubrication video focuses on Boston Gear Series 700 gearbox
A new informative video has been produced by Boston Gear to help reduce Series 700 worm gear speed reducer failures and premature wear due to lubrication issues. Topics include the importance of adding oil prior to initial usage, adding the correct amount of lubricant depending on mounting position, and the dangers of using lubricants with […]
A lubrication tutorial
In any system with moving parts, lubrication is essential. Lubrication functions to reduce friction, which dissipates heat and protects components from corrosion and wear. Lubricants are typically classified as either one of two kinds; oils or greases. Oil-based lubricants can be made from petroleum sources or newer synthetic oils. Greases have an oil base to […]
POWERLINK family of servo amplifiers feature output to 27.4 kW
The Ethernet POWERLINK family of DigiFlex Performance (DP) digital servo drives from Advanced Motion Controls provide a wide range of options for servo system solutions. DPP/DZP drives deliver peak power output from 1.5 to 27.4 kW, and support an array of feedback and motor options, offering a versatile blend of cutting edge technology and proven […]
BLDC motor: Marketing jargon or more?
The term brushless dc motor (or BLDC motor) is common lingo in the industrial world. The question is, does it make any sense? Perhaps a little history can help here. The first brushless dc motors were marketed as such because they functioned as drop-in replacements for brush dc motors. There were a number of technological […]
PTDA’s industry research reports accelerating growth in 1Q2017
The first quarter 2017 Sales History & Outlook Report (SHOR) released by the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) showed power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) distributor sales began to rise. The most recent 12 months of sales remain 1.9 percent below the year-ago level, but several positive indicators suggest total sales will be above the year-ago level […]
How do switched reluctance motors differ from stepper motors?
Switched reluctance motors operate by switching currents in the stator windings in response to changes in the magnetic circuit formed by the rotor and stator. The stator of a switched reluctance motor contains windings, similar to a brushless DC motor, but the rotor is simply made of steel that is shaped into salient poles, with […]
Mitsubishi Electric, Bimba collaborate on turnkey motion solutions
Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc. and Bimba Manufacturing Co. have announced a collaboration that will combine Mitsubishi Electric’s industrial automation technology with Bimba’s motion control solutions. This arrangement brings together Mitsubishi Electric’s servomotors and control products with Bimba’s electric mechanical actuators. The relationship will allow both companies to benefit from each other’s strong presence in the […]