Motion system applications take center stage
the calendar year comes to a close, it’s time again for Design World’s annual Motion System Applications special issue. The fourth and final installment of our motion control-focused series, this edition houses a collection of case histories and in-depth looks at myriad real-world application challenges for motion systems.
Here, the Design World editorial staff has curated some of 2022’s top stories. This issue showcases the immense versatility of motion control components — from near-boundless applications in the medical and agricultural space, to packaging, robotics, and more. Of course, we couldn’t leave out the continuing focus on automation solutions.
As all industries are feeling the squeeze with labor and logistics, engineering teams and end-users alike are looking to automation to relieve some of the pressure on their respective operations. For example, automation is helping usher in a new era of modernization in agriculture by updating antiquated systems. Here’s just one example from AutomationDirect:
“Existing systems typically use limited or outdated automation, such as hardwired relays, specialized electronics, or sometimes older PLCs or smart relays. These can become problematic to service, and lack the ability to provide modern conveniences, especially remote connectivity… These needs have provided great demand for SIs able to apply new technologies to specialized equipment.”
Furthermore, it’s hard to talk about automation, in agriculture or elsewhere, without another hot topic this year — predictive maintenance and IoT. Included in this issue is a section focusing on how network connection reliability is critical to automation efficacy. This example comes from Moxa:
“One way to achieve intelligence at the edge of industrial networks is by deploying computers that can collect, process, and analyze data in uncrewed or remote sites. The consequences are dire when these computers have a performance issue or run out of memory, therefore preventing them from performing their role efficiently, if at all.”
The Design World editorial staff and I hope you find this year’s Motion System Applications issue useful. What challenges have your engineering team overcome? Would you like our readers to hear your story? Please reach out to me at [email protected] or on Twitter at @DW_MikeSantora.
Filed Under: DIGITAL ISSUES • DESIGN WORLD