A global leader and manufacturer of electrical and mechanical drives, motion control and automation technologies, Lenze has introduced an intelligent automation solution package combining the Lenze p300 Panel Controller and the Lenze i500 Frequency Inverter. The smart solution integrates a PLC tooling interface to reduce engineering requirements and costly troubleshooting of automated machines and systems. […]
What you missed at MD&M West — and emerging technologies to watch
This year’s MD&M West finished strong with myriad new products for use in medical devices (or medical-device manufacture) announced. Here are some of the coolest things we saw in our final dash around the floor. Also come back to motioncontroltips.com in the coming weeks for Design World editorial that takes a more in-depth look at some of these most pioneering […]
Custom continuous-duty motors and drives from ABM Drives
ABM Drives’ comprehensive standard continuous-duty motors and drive product platform and flexible modular systems facilitate the design and manufacture of drives for almost every application. A modular design process allows for cost-effective, low-volume production runs. Helical gearboxes are the most commonly used continuous industrial gearboxes; they increase motor output torque and reduce output speed. High-grade helical […]
Highest-speed direct-drive rotary stage on the market from IntelLiDrives
The ACR-32UT precision rotation stage is the lowest profile rotary stage with high-speed direct-drive rotary servo motor on the market. A center aperture and lightweight construction makes this rotary stage suitable for semiconductor manufacturing and general automation applications. High precision from a rotary stage with high dynamics The ACR-32UUT has very wide dynamic speed range and can […]
ContiTech Sicon Enclosed Belt Conveyor System protects materials and environment in transport
ContiTech is showcasing here to the North American market, Sicon, a unique enclosed belt conveyor system designed to cover materials in applications where protection from the elements or transportation over challenging paths are required. “In addition to its inherent capability of protecting materials in transport, Sicon has the additional characteristic of extra-high flexibility which allows […]
ContiTech vertical conveyor belt systems designed to carry loads to new heights
ContiTech is showcasing to the North American market two conveyor belt products that can carry loads up a vertical incline as steep as 90 degrees both in above ground and underground applications. The belt systems, called Flexowell and Pocketlift, are designed to transport bulk materials from loading point to unloading point up steep inclined, vertical […]
Custom Machine & Tool Co. Inc. — New dynamic website
Custom Machine & Tool Co. Inc. (CMT) has just launched a New Interactive Website with more viewing options and content. “We are very pleased to see the results of our customers’ feedback implemented into a new dynamic interactive website. Visitors to the new site now have more viewing options, enjoy easy navigation, and fast access to […]
Technologies from Bosch Rexroth you missed at MD&M West
MD&M West is known for its unwavering usefulness to attendees and exhibitors alike, and this year’s event delivered as usual. Here’s what we saw at the Bosch Rexroth booth (within the colocated ATX West) during our visit at the show. A main focus at the Bosch Rexroth booth was connected automation technology — also called the Internet of […]
Rexroth’s Open Core Interface lets machine builders create functions without a PLC
Machine builders can gain a competitive edge with new capabilities for high-level language programming and access to the core of the control system Rexroth’s standard control platforms support the company’s Open Core Interface, which allows the expansion of individual machine functions created with high-level programming languages. Part of its Open Core Engineering (OCE) framework for […]
Rexroth IndraControl XM series programmable logic controllers integrate I/O for speed and flexibility
Bosch Rexroth’s IndraControl XM21/22 programmable logic controller further contributes to the speed and flexibility of the IndraControl XM series. The Rexroth family of programmable logic controllers, XM 12/21/22, integrates the modular IndraControl S20 I/O series into the controller. When combined with the Sercos automation bus, speed and flexibility are added to make one functionally complete […]
New T12HP torque transducer ensures highly precise results over the entire measurement range
HBM Inc. now sells T12HP digital torque transducers. The T12HP supports dynamic measurements in the test stand and provides unprecedented precision, particularly in terms of temperature stability. Temperature influences have virtually no impact on the measurement result, due to a TC0 value of 0.005%/10K. In addition, the resulting FlexRange™ function provided by the T12HP allows users […]
Enhanced HMI software improves operator productivity
HMI SCADA design has traditionally been a lengthy and error-prone task, while the result limited operator visibility to only what had been preprogrammed into the application. In today’s era of smart manufacturing, these problems can be solved. The latest version of FactoryTalk View software from Rockwell Automation improves the operator’s experience with valuable, data-driven information while […]
Lafert high-performance standalone (HPS) permanent-magnet ac motors boost design efficiency
HPS Series permanent magnet (PM) synchronous ac motors from Lafert North America deliver IE4 Super Premium energy efficiency while reducing motor size and weight by 50% in some cases. HPS Series motors combine the mechanical design of standard induction motors with the performance and efficiency of brushless servo motors. The TEFC motor design results from decades of […]
New encoder technology eliminates the reliability-accuracy tradeoff
Encoders are everywhere — and are vital in industrial, aerospace, energy, automotive and robotic applications. Operation in all of these applications will potentially have to take place in severe conditions, so when you are thinking about building a robot that can be used to mine for water on Mars, how do you decide on the best […]
Report examines role of engineering technology, calls for increased awareness
While workers in the engineering technology (ET) field play an important role in supporting U.S. technical infrastructure and the country’s capacity for innovation, there is little awareness of ET as a field of study or category of employment in the U.S., says a new report from the National Academy of Engineering. There are numerous similarities […]
FAQ: Where and why are miniature hydraulic shock absorbers useful?
Recently, I sat down with our editorial director Paul Heney to explore how shock absorbers improve industrial and consumer designs for warehouse storage and retrieval; conveyor and steel-mill end stops; packaging and plastic-bottle machinery; and various robotic and crane setups. We reviewed three small hydraulic shock absorbers from ITT Enidine: Unlike vibration (those small oscillations from […]
Siemens providing special offer for machine-tool users with SINUMERIK CNC onboard
Siemens is offering bonus services effective until May 31, 2017. Under this program, users of any machine tool with SINUMERIK CNC onboard will receive a variety of additional services, plus training and a 10% discount on spare parts orders. Upon receipt of the registration form, Siemens will validate the user’s warranty period with a specific […]
High-precision CNC human machine interface (HMI) from ACS
ACS Motion Control has developed a customizable CNC HMI Platform for high precision machining and processing applications. Designed with simplicity, flexibility and ease of customization in mind, the SPiiPlusSMC (smart motion commander) software platform significantly reduces the effort and time spent by the machine builder on developing and maintaining HMI software. Leveraging a SPiiPlus EtherCAT® […]
FAQ: Where do wire-rope isolators work best?
It’s expensive to keep equipment perfectly balanced, and it’s often inefficient to add structural reinforcements. But adding wire-rope isolators is a cost-effective way to address vibration — and when done upfront, it can save machine structures from fatigue. In this video, editors I join my colleague Mary Gannon to explore the designs of several wire-rope isolators from […]
How one programmable Accu-CoderPro encoder makes design setup easier
In a recent video, my esteemed colleague Miles Budimir and I reviewed the features of an Accu-CoderPro encoder from Encoder Products Company. Contained within the rugged industrial housing are advanced electronics that let designers program the encoder to exact application needs. Using EPC’s optional programming module, users can select output type, 32 different waveforms, and […]
US Digital expands its miniature optical encoder line
US Digital introduced the new E8T miniature optical encoder at ATX West 2017. Combining small form factor and resolutions up to 720 CPR, the E8T is well suited for medical and other space sensitive applications that require reliable position and velocity feedback. The E8T’s small package footprint fits motors as small as NEMA size 11 […]
FAQ: When to pick ac gearmotors, and when to pick dc?
Gearmotors can be built around either an ac or dc electric motor. The choice of motor type depends on a number of factors. In general, dc gearmotors, particularly brushless dc motors, have really good speed regulation properties, so they’re usually preferred in applications requiring tight variable speed control. However, over the years, ac gearmotors have […]
Global motion control shipments grow 10.3% in 2016
Global shipments for motion control products increased by 10.3% to $3.3 billion in 2016, according to new statistics released by the Motion Control & Motor Association (MCMA), the industry’s trade group. “New opportunities in automation for motion control and motors help drive this growth,” said Dana Whalls, Vice President of MCMA. “Automation technologies are enabling […]
MD&M West for Wednesday February 8th — What stands out on tradeshow floor
MD&M West is in full swing in Anaheim, and there were a lot of new products for use in medical devices (or medical-device manufacture) announced and shown today. This is some of what we saw at our second day at the show. Online configurability increasingly common from manufacturers I started the morning at an informative session […]
Right turn for higher energy efficiency: Frequency converters from Rexroth
All over the world, industrial end-users are demanding energy-efficient machines and equipment to significantly reduce operating cost and reduce their carbon footprint (CO2 emissions). By using demand oriented electromechanical energy, users are able to take vital steps in the right direction achieving those goals. For example, speed-controlled induction motors in variable-speed pump drives can reduce […]