PI (Physik Instrumente), a leading provider of photonics alignment, nanopositioning, and precision motion control systems has appointed Scott Jordan as Head of the Photonics Market Segment. Jordan, a PI Fellow, holds a Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Science degree, both in Physics, from University of California, Irvine and an MBA in Finance and […]
Lin Engineering partners with CUI on efficient stepper-motor and encoder combo
CUI Inc. today announced a partnership with Lin Engineering, a leading manufacturer of stepper motors, to integrate CUI’s innovative AMT encoder technology with Lin’s latest, high performance motor series … … for a stepper-motor and encoder combo. Lin Engineering’s G3718V series is a NEMA 17 sized motor with a length of 0.90 inches (22.86 mm) that […]
FAQ: What is the Swinburne test for DC motors?
The Swinburne test is an indirect method for determining the efficiency of DC motors. It works by finding the no-load losses experimentally and then estimating additional losses from the rated motor data. From this information, the efficiency can be determined at any applied load. First, the no-load current and shunt field current are obtained directly […]
New 120-W brushless motor/drive with optional right-angle gear from Oriental Motor
Oriental Motor has expanded its BMU Series with the introduction of the 120-W (1/6 hp) IP66 new connector type brushless motor combined with a hollow shaft right angle hypoid JH type gear head, featuring a stainless steel shaft. The right-angle hollow shaft hypoid JH gear achieves IP66 class protection through the use of a stainless […]
FAQ: What are rotational losses in DC motors?
DC motors, like all machines, experience some losses when converting electrical power to mechanical power. (Note that in generators, mechanical power is converted to electrical power, but the losses experienced are the same.) While there are several ways in which manufacturers and experts group losses, one common method is to divide them into five categories: mechanical, […]
7 questions to ask before picking an ac motor drive (controller) for an application
By Jeff Conner • Dallas Service Manager for Control Concepts AC motor drives (or controllers as we call them in this context) come with a range of options — including different control interfaces, enclosures, and motor-control methods. They provide flexible choices for machine designs and can leave the door open for future improvements and upgrades. Modern AC drives […]
New marine propulsion turning, locking & braking system video from Twiflex
Twiflex Ltd., a leader in advanced industrial braking technologies, has introduced a new video that highlights its innovative turning, locking, and braking system (TLB) for marine propulsion shaft applications. The new multi-function TLB solution reduces costs, dimensional space, and installation and maintenance time. The video can be viewed on the Twiflex website at twiflex.com (select […]
Hall drives for brushless motors require no external inductors
Koford Engineering LLC has introduced a line of compact 48-V, 40-A brushless motor drives. These drives require no external inductors for slotless or other low inductance motors. They are preprogramed and require no user set up, adjustments or programing. Unlike most drives they can operate at 100% duty cycle. Most brushless drives are limited to […]
The Internet of Things… in motion
As the Internet of Things becomes reality, manufacturers are responding with products to aide designers of next-generation motion systems. The Internet of Things. A lot has been written about its promise, its potential to revolutionize just about everything we do, from giving us talkative toasters and smart refrigerators to uber-connected factories. There’s even a counterpart […]
Global motion control shipments increase 5% in the first nine months of 2016
Global shipments for motion control products increased by five percent to $2.4 billion in the first nine months of 2016, according to new statistics released by the Motion Control & Motor Association (MCMA), the industry’s trade group. “After a contraction in 2015, it is encouraging to see a return to growth for the motion control […]
Integrated IP65 stepper motors from Applied Motion Products
SWM integrated steppers from Applied Motion Products Inc. are IP65 rated drive+motor units, fusing step motor and drive components into a single splash proof and dustproof device. This space-saving design eliminates wiring and saves on cost over conventional motor and drive solutions. The SWM24 integrated steppers combine high torque NEMA 24 step motors with a […]
Model Zero-Max VRT variable-ratio transmission dispenses with precise metering
Precise metering rates of seed and fertilizer in agricultural equipment is ensured with the latest model Zero-Max VRT™ Variable-Ratio Transmissions. Infinitely adjustable to lock in the rate, the VRT transmission ensures correct dispensing of seed and fertilizer. Zero-Max’s ground-driven system is the vital operating link between advanced control systems such as GPS (global position systems) […]
Beckhoff intros new many-core, embedded PC control hardware
First revealed at the SPS IPC Drives 2016 trade show in Nuremberg, Germany, the CX2000 Embedded PC series from Beckhoff is being expanded with many-core control technology versions. These powerful yet compact CX20x2 devices will integrate Intel® Xeon® D processors, each with 4, 8 or 12 CPU cores of the 5th generation Intel® Core™ microarchitecture, […]
Dorner launches latest 3200 series conveyor, highlights others at PackExpo
The newest product line from Dorner — the 3200 series conveyor with Intralox Activated Roller Belt (ARB) Technology — was on display at PackExpo earlier this month, along with several other key technologies from the conveyor manufacturer. The 3200 series is ideal for moving boxes and packages in applications that require merging, diverting and alignment. […]
Motion Controllers for Networked PLC’s
Advanced Micro Controls Inc. (AMCI), announces the addition of their ANF1 & ANF2 motion controllers with network communication, expanding their family of AnyNET Networked Specialty I/O products. AMCI’s ANF1 & ANF2 stepper/servo controllers integrate a network connection and expansion capabilities to provide a modern, versatile motion control solution for any PLC-based system. ANF1 & ANF2 […]
Applied Motion launches EtherCAT-enabled closed-loop stepper system
At PackExpo earlier this month, Applied Motion Products introduced its newest closed-loop stepper system, which comes with EtherCAT functionality. Its StepServo closed-loop motor and drive system for industrial Ethernet will be available soon. According to Eric Rice, Applied Motion Marketing Manager, the StepServo with EtherCAT “offers up to 50% more torque than traditional step motors […]
Opto 22 announces relationship with Dell to develop and deploy Internet of Things (IoT) applications
Industrial automation manufacturer and Internet of Things (IoT) application toolset provider Opto 22 announces that it has joined the Dell IoT Solutions Partner Program. This relationship provides a product and solution ecosystem for connecting real-world signals and industrial “things” to the digital world of information technology, mobile, and cloud computing. A technology revolution is gaining […]
FAQ: What is distributed architecture for servo drives?
Traditional servo system architecture consists of a power supply, a motion controller, and servo drives all housed in one location—typically a control cabinet located away from the machine. Each motor is connected to the control cabinet by two cables—one for power and one for feedback. This centralized architecture results in significant time and cost for routing, managing […]
US Digital introduces new high resolution E4T optical encoders at SPS IPC Drives 2016
US Digital, a US manufacturer of quality motion control since 1980, today announced the addition of 400 and 500 cycles per revolution (CPR) resolutions to its existing E4T line of miniature optical encoders. Specifically designed for robotics, medical and other industrial automation applications, the new E4Ts deliver position and velocity feedback, while fitting National Electrical […]
FactoryTalk TeamONE App from Rockwell Automation speeds plant diagnostics, collaboration with zero friction
When production experiences a glitch, there is not time for a lengthy process of discovery and finding colleagues. In many industrial operations today, plant-floor workers must deal with downtime events by connecting to the server, hopscotching between devices and data sources, running back and forth between information portals, and hunting down colleagues who have expertise […]
Application story: Smart motors from maxon make high-tech e-bikes
Use of electronic bikes or e-bikes — those with power-assist and full drive capabilities — is exploding in Europe and now the Americas as more people than ever look for green modes of transportation in increasingly dense urban centers. Recently introduced to the world market, maxon motor makes an integrated drive (sometimes called a hub […]
Opto 22 Digital I/O Carrier Board connects real-world industrial devices to millions of Raspberry Pi single-board computers with release of Digital I/O Carrier Board for Raspberry Pi
Industrial automation manufacturer and Internet of Things platform developer Opto 22 now sells a Digital I/O Carrier Board for the versatile Raspberry Pi single-board computer, enabling the Pi to sense or switch up to 16 individually selectable electrical loads ranging from 2.5 to 280 VAC/VDC, with solid-state power and reliability. This new carrier board adds the […]
Continental plant in Ohio honored with ambassador of energy efficiency award
Continental’s St. Marys, Ohio, plant, its premier North American manufacturing facility for engineered products, recently received the Ambassador of Energy Efficiency award from Efficiency Smart, a Columbus-based company that assists companies with implementing energy-efficient products and services. “We are proud to receive this award,” said Frank Smith, St. Marys’ plant engineering manager. “We had a […]
Sercos TSN Demonstrator – Sercos over TSN makes its debut at this year’s SPS IPC Drives show in Nuremberg, Germany
Sercos International, provider of the Sercos automation bus, will demonstrate for the first time the transmission of the Sercos III real-time protocol via Ethernet standard IEEE 802.1 TSN (Time-Sensitive Networks) at the 2016 SPS IPC Drives show. The Sercos TSN Demonstrator was created by the Institute for Control Engineering of Machine Tools and Manufacturing Units (ISW, University […]
HMI with CODESYS 3 PLC and visualization (from Turck)
Turck now offers an HMI with CODESYS 3 PLC — the TX500 HMI PLC. With high-end touch displays and fast processors, these HMIs are ideal for use in small- to medium-size machines whose processes have to be controlled, displayed and operated locally. Each TX500 is equipped with a Profinet master and EtherNet/IP scanner, as well as […]