Motion System Design articles from April 2004

Motion System Design archives from April 2004

Well wishes for the healthcare industry.(In the Loop)
April 1, 2004... Several years ago, my mother-in-law went to her doctor for a routine checkup. A health-conscious, active woman, then in her early fifties, she was told everything was fine. Later in the year, however, she began having abdominal pain and was...

January MSD draws reaction.(In Response)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2004... I agree with "Illegal aliens dilute your vote" (January, In The Loop); however, I hold no hope that politicians will do anything about it. This is a population group they all covet to varying degrees, but even more any census demographic...

Filtering useless articles.(In Response)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2004... I can't agree more with you as you mentioned in your article "Public Relation 101" (February, In the Loop). You brought up a very serious issue. I used to browse some main mechanical engineering journals from time to time, then save the...

Motors on Mars.(In Response)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2004... How many motors are there on each of the Mars rovers (February, What's New)? I figure there must be at least 30, plus several on each lander. Elliot Smith Elliot.Smith@sunmed.com Good question. According to Randel Lindermann,...

Meddling with platinum at the nanoscale.(What's New)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Researchers from Sandia National Laboratories and the University of New Mexico have developed a way to manipulate platinum at the nanoscale. "Based on our studies, we see the possibility of manipulating the nanoscale structure of platinum with...

Actuators take ROVs to new depths.(What's New)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Submersible remote operated vehicles (ROVs) could play a big role in homeland security, protecting bridges and dams from underwater terrorism, as well as respecting ship hulls. One ROV from Nova Ray Inc., Kirkland, Wash., is capable of scanning...

Electro Standards Laboratories.(On the Move)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Electro Standards Laboratories, Cranston, R.I., has been awarded a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research award from the Dept. of the Navy, Naval Surface Warfare Center. The company will use the funding to develop advanced sensorless...

The Automation Technologies Council.(On the Move)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The Automation Technologies Council elected Joseph C. Christenson as its 2004 president. He succeeds Kevin Ostby of Fanuc Robotics America Inc. who served 2002-2003. Christenson is CEO of PPT Vision Inc., Eden Prairie, Minn.

Kingsbury Inc.(On the Move)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Philadelphia based Kingsbury Inc., a manufacturer of fluid film thrust and journal bearings announces the acquisition of Messinger Bearings Corp., a specialty manufacturer of large, heavy-loaded rolling element bearings.

Panasonic Industrial Co.(On the Move)(Burns Controls Co.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Panasonic Industrial Co., Secaucus, N.J., selected Burns Controls Co. as a distributor for its general-purpose industrial motors, which includes gearmotors and the company's new B Series line. Burns Controls, Dallas, will market the motors to...

Roller Bearing Co.(On the Move)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Roller Bearing Co. of America Inc., Fairfield, Conn., purchased The Timken Co.'s fixed wing airframe products line. The purchase included certain assets at a Timken factory in Torrington, Conn., as welt as selected airframe product lines made...

ABB Group.(On the Move)(Asea Brown Boveri Ltd (Zurich))(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Fred Kindle, will become the next CEO of ABB Group, Zurich, Switzer land. He will join ABB this September and formally take over as CEO in January 2005.

Get on the Profibus.(What's New)(market leader in fieldbus technology)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The Profibus Trade Organization offers free half-day technical seminars that provide an overview of the new ProfiNet fieldbus protocol and feature a live demo of ProfiNet. Topics include Basis of Ethernet, Ethernet in Industrial Automation,...

Robotics brings dinosaurs back from extinction.(new robot from Dinosaur Robots Inc.)
April 1, 2004... Dinosaurs again walk the earth, but this time in the form of a four-legged robot from Dinosaur Robots Inc., Brighton, Mass. The pig-sized dinobot--a first of its "kind--moves just like real-life proceratops did 75 million years ago. The...

Motor management as easy as 1-2-3.(new software for effective management of motor fleet)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Motor Decisions Matter, a national awareness campaign that promotes effective motor management, offers the 1-2-3 Approach to Motor Management. The software demonstrates how industrial and commercial facility managers can reduce downtime and...

Selecting encoders: in some cases the choice between incremental and absolute encoders is clear; other times either design might be appropriate. Choosing between the two involves more than whether the system has a way to get back home.
April 1, 2004... While incremental encoders produce a series of optical or magnetic pulses to keep track of motion, they do not track motion when power is cycled. On the other hand, absolute encoders keep track of their position all the time, and remember it...

Silver linings: slewing bearings offer an elegant solution to applications, large and small.
April 1, 2004... Slewing rings are thin loops: large-diameter bearings with large bores designed to support axial, radial, and tipping force loads. Common applications include cranes, excavators, turnstiles, wind generators, telescopes, and tank turrets....

Brushless linear motors.(Course audit: advanced learning at your desk, at your pace / Part 2 of 2)
April 1, 2004... Topics discussed: * Stiffness * Initialization * Configurations * Servocontroller influence In our last installment, we discussed the effects of force density and efficiency. Setting times also influence the output motion...

Design by objective: efficiency: sometimes misused components drag systems down; other times compromised setups limit output. With the need for improved efficiency, the editors of Motion System Design asked industry experts how efficiency can be increased.(Interview)
April 1, 2004... What is considered efficient today? Mike//Reliance Electric: Efficiency is technically defined as output over input, or how much work is being accomplished for the power, energy, and money consumed. From a system standpoint, efficiency can...

Matters of the heart: stent-manufacturing machines use encoders for precise segmental compression at high speeds.(Market focus: medical)
April 1, 2004... Background: Interventional stent therapy opens clogged heart and peripheral vessels to restore normal blood flow, minimize damage to the heart muscle, and reduce heart attacks. The process involves placing and expanding an angioplasty balloon...

Robotic remedy: a SCARA robot with vision guidance loads pharmaceuticals into cavity blister packs with little scrap.(Packaging focus)(Cover Story)
April 1, 2004... Background: In today's competitive global marketplace, every, company is under tremendous pressure to keep costs low and quality high. Healthcare companies face the added challenge of government-mandated rules for their manufacturing processes...

Right on.(Brushing Up)(3D phenomenon, sign language, electromotive forces properties)
April 1, 2004... In physics and engineering many 3D phenomena are best modeled by linear algebra's cross product of two vectors. The right-hand rule is a universal mnemonic to visualize these directional quantities. It is also handy for remembering the...

Fields of glory.(multi-physics material editor from Integrated Engineering Software Inc.)
April 1, 2004... 3D electrostatic simulation software helps in the design and analysis of electronic equipment and components, including striplines, high-voltage insulators, MEMS, bushings, and shielding. Now Integrated Engineering Software of Winnipeg, Canada...

Rollerscrew stiffness.(msd 101)(Interview)
April 1, 2004... A bed of nails doesn't injure because pressure--force per unit area--decreases with each added nail in the same way, rollerscrews divide load ever more area for increased stiffness, shock resistance, and static load capabilities--even up to...

Swing it.(Better by Design)
April 1, 2004... Dc chokes are often used to reduce ac motor-drive harmonics. Although they operate effectively when the motor is at full load, under partial loads, they don't fully saturate, meaning they don't generate enough inductance to sufficiently filter...

Simplified software.(Product Spotlight >> HMI)
April 1, 2004... FEATURES * Can be preloaded to Allen-Bradley MobileView machine and guard terminals with Windows CE 4.1 * Eliminates need to install and maintain separate server * Lets users monitor and control individual machines or small...

Safety light curtain.(Product Spotlight >> HMI)
April 1, 2004... SPECS Range: 60 ft Response time: 9 to 40 msec Min. object sensitivity: 0.55 in.; 1.18 in. Dimensions: 1.78 x 1.42 in. FEATURES * Two resolutions available * Certified CE and cULus * Self-contained emitter...

Web-enabled HMI panels.(Product Spotlight >> HMI)
April 1, 2004... FEATURES * Built-in USB, one RS422/485, two RS232, optional RS232 or RS422/485 ports * Built-in gateway to Web-enable most devices * Remote access, monitoring, and virtual operation via LAN or Internet * Real-time operation...

Operator interfaces.(Product Spotlight >> HMI)
April 1, 2004... SPECS Touchscreen: 6, 8, 10 in. Memory: 4 Mbytes Processing speed: 200 MHz FEATURES * 10BaseT Ethernet * Compact Flash interface, real-time clock, printer connectivity * Multi-language function, macro-scripting...

HMI software upgrade.(Product Spotlight >> HMI)
April 1, 2004... FEATURES * Runs in Windows * Real-time data exchange using TCP/IP communications * Networked OPC client/server capability * 45 standard communications drivers and OPC interface Parker Automation-CTC (513) 831-2340 ...

Graphic logic controllers.(Product Spotlight >> HMI)
April 1, 2004... SPECS Display: 5.7, 7.4, 12.1 in. Pixels: 320 x 240, 256-color TFT FEATURES * Full graphic display * Touch panel * GLC distributed I/O interface, built-in Ethernet interface, two serial ports, CompactFlash card...

HMI panel.(Product Spotlight >> HMI)
April 1, 2004... SPECS Size: 6 in., 5.7 in. touch display Pixels: 320 x 240, 256 colors FEATURES * Suitable for local HMI machine operations, monitoring * Expandable, open, multifunctional * Simatic WinCC flexible engineering...

Intelligence software.(Product Spotlight >> HMI)
April 1, 2004... FEATURES * Collects real-time availability, performance, and quality data * Builds on Cimplicity HMI tools * Support for CNCs and machining processes * Open-architecture, high-speed Ethernet backbone for fast startup, connects...

Software for PC-based control.(Product Spotlight >> HMI)
April 1, 2004... SPECS Price: $1,895 Minimum requirements: Pentium 133-MHz CPU, 2-MBytes VRAM, 64-MBytes RAM (32 MBytes with NT) FEATURES * Full-featured control and HMI development tool * Easy I/O configuration, OPC Client and server,...

Operator and control unit.(Product Spotlight >> HMI)
April 1, 2004... SPECS Rating: IEC/EN 60947 Temperature: -20[degrees] to 55[degrees]C Connections: to 256 circuits FEATURES * Integrates digital and analog I/Os * One software for visualization, controlling, and networking *...

Soft starters.(Motion Marketplace)
April 1, 2004... SPECS Horsepower: 10 to 150 FEATURES * Advanced heat dissipation * Eliminate need for extra ventilation, bypass connectors * Add-on modules provide serial communication, remote control Danfoss Drives (800)...

Stepper drive.(Motion Marketplace)
April 1, 2004... SPECS input: 40 Vdc Output: 4 A per phase FEATURES * 13 input ports, including 2 configurable I/O * Interface with any PLC * Configured for full, half, quarter, and eighth-step resolution * Full on-board...

Reed sensors.(Motion Marketplace)
April 1, 2004... SPECS Temp: to 260[degrees]C FEATURES * Need no external power * Flat leads for surface-mount stability * Encapsulated thermoset housing * 11.6 x 2.7 x 2.3 mm * Magnetically operated Meder Electronic Inc....

Dc speed controls.(Motion Marketplace)
April 1, 2004... SPECS Operating voltage: 12 to 36 Vac Output current: 150 mA to 5.5 A FEATURES * For applications with low input voltages * Provides 10 A with suitable heat sink * Cost, safely benefits Dart Controls Inc. ...

Heavy-duty lifters.(Motion Marketplace)
April 1, 2004... SPECS Stroke: 50, 80, 100, 125, 160, 200 mm FEATURES * Powered by 63-ram ISO/VDMA cylinder * Composite bearings with internal lubrication * Can handle high off-center loads * Optional shock pads, stop collars *...

Linear actuator.(Motion Marketplace)
April 1, 2004... SPECS Resolution: 0.125 to 2 [micro]in./step Thrusts: to 25 lb FEATURES * Stainless-steel Acme leadscrew * Thermoplastics in rotor drive nut * Maintenance-free operation * Smallest hybrid linear actuator ...

Electrical drive.(Motion Marketplace)
April 1, 2004... FEATURES * Harmonized axes, motors, gears, coupling, controller * Short cycle times * Low noise * Adapts to multi-axis modular systems * Mounting options on three sides * Toothed belt axis with internal roller guide...

Miniature door switch.(Motion Marketplace)
April 1, 2004... FEATURES * Snaps easily into panel * Uses standard, removable crimp connector * Plunger, lever types * Gold crossbar contacts * Drip/spill-resistant sealing * Wiping rocker contacts offer silent operation * No...

Servo system.(Motion Marketplace)
April 1, 2004... FEATURES * Plug-and-play package includes 460-V servomotor, digital amplifier/controller, preprogrammed touchscreen interface * UL, CE approved * Provides 20-fault history for trend analysis * Optional Ethernet capability for...

Rotary positioning stage.(Motion Marketplace)
April 1, 2004... SPECS Resolution: down to 0.25 arc/sec Position repeatability: to [+ or -] 0.5 arc/sec FEATURES * Glass scale encoder * Motor, sensing, encoder signals generated internally * No need for external multiplication...

Continuous-flex cables.(Motion Marketplace)
April 1, 2004... FEATURES * Withstand stress of tight bending radii * Available in more than 500 sizes, styles * TFFN/THHN insulation * UV, oil-resistant PVC jacket * Flame-retardant * Extended cycle life Igus Inc. (800)...

Predrilled shafts.(Motion Marketplace)
April 1, 2004... SPECS Diameter: 1 1/2, 2 in. Length: to 12 ft FEATURES * Tapped every 8 in. * Tubular, predrilled * Cools more quickly that solid shaft * Use as conduit for electrical control lines, pressurized air line....

Brushless gearmotors.(Motion Marketplace)
April 1, 2004... SPECS Operating voltage: 10 to 36 Ratio: 8:1, 25:1, 47:1, 152:1 Length: 1.3, 2.552 in. FEATURES * Hall sensor or sensorless versions * Digital closed loop speed with current limiting, overtemperature protection ...

Electronic cables.(Motion Marketplace)
April 1, 2004... FEATURES * Eliminates need for conduit systems * Available in small lot of 100, 500, 1,000 ft * Ready for immediate shipment * Standard flex high flex mini diameter torsion types * 5 styles with specific characteristics...

Position sensor.(Motion Marketplace)
April 1, 2004... SPECS Diameter: 55 mm Height: 28.5 mm FEATURES * 8-mm pressure pipe * Small operating envelope for easy installation * Can be mounted inside actuator cylinder endcap * Available with voltage current start/stop...

Linear actuator.(Motion Marketplace)
April 1, 2004... FEATURES * 2, 3 axes * 0.02-mm repeatability * No need for external computer * Drive built into motor * Eliminates need for adapter plates * Four bearing carriages for strength Robohand Inc. (248) 397-6700...

Encoder collars.(Motion Marketplace)
April 1, 2004... SPECS Size: 1/8 to 12-in. ID; to 14-in. OD Bore: round, square, threaded FEATURES * Steel target on face or ID surface picks up signals *Aluminum, one-, two-piece clamp types * Smooth bore protects shafts *...

Commutation encoder.(Motion Marketplace)
April 1, 2004... SPECS Resolution: to 8,192 line counts Size: 1.38-in. OD x 0.55-in. Temp: -30 [degrees] to 115 [degrees] C FEATURES * 3-phase (U, V, W) pattern for 4, 6, 8-pole brushless motors * Output frequency response to 500 kHz...

Flexible couplings.(Motion Marketplace)
April 1, 2004... FEATURES * Available in steel, aluminum, other material * Correct misalignment * Relieve stress * Custom end connections * Standard sizes, coil Helical Products Co. Inc. (805) 928-3851 www.heli-cal.com ...

Ball bushings.(Motion Marketplace)
April 1, 2004... SPECS Size: 1/8, 3/16, 1/2 in.; 3, 4, 5 mm FEATURES * Stainless-steel outer shell, balls * Resin retainer * Standard, clearance-adjustable, open types * Small size useful in instrumentation, computer applications ...

Miniature gearhead.(Motion Marketplace)
April 1, 2004... SPECS Torque: to 80 lb-in. Ratio: 30:1, 50:1, 100:1 FEATURES * 2-arc/min positional accuracy * Flange output * Direct connection to any motor * 32 [mm.sup.2] x 29 mm HD Systems Inc. (800) 231-4374 ...

Large-bore brakes.(Motion Marketplace)
April 1, 2004... SPECS Torque: to 12 N-m Speed: 3,000 rpm FEATURES * Large ID accommodates wire feed through brake * Pole/case assembly, rotor * Quiet, maintenance-free * Options include rotor mounting flanges, torque-current...

Grid couplings.(Motion Marketplace)
April 1, 2004... SPECS Torque: to 1,500,000 lb-in. FEATURES * 19 standard sizes * Horizontally or vertically split covers * Handle parallel, angular, axial misalignment * Reduce vibration * Cushion shock loads Lovejoy Inc....

Steel spline shaft.(Motion Marketplace)
April 1, 2004... SPECS Length: to 24 in.; to 96 in. (custom) FEATURES * Designed for heavier side loads * TFE-coated shaft * PTFE-filled thermoplastic bushing * Basic anti-backlash plain, or thread-mount bushings Kerk Motion...

Voice coil actuator.(Linear Corner)
April 1, 2004... FEATURES * Does not require ballscrew or gearbox * Low-mass inner-moving coil * 1.25-in. diameter x 1.375-in. long * Oil-impregnated sintered bronze bearing * Quick response time Servo Magnetics (800) 457-3786...

Built-in encoder.(Linear Corner)
April 1, 2004... SPECS Resolution: 0.0625 to 4 [micro]m Temp range: -20[degrees] to 70[degrees]C Scanhead length: 75-90 mm (3-A); 66-78 mm (4-A) FEATURES * 3-A for roller monorail; 4-A for ball monorail * Positioning feedback in all...

Linear guides.(Linear Corner)
April 1, 2004... FEATURES * Interchangeable rail, bearing cartridge * Dowel-hole locators for easy, repeatable setup * FDA-, USDA-approved inserts available * Replaceable polymer inserts * Non-wetting surface for easy cleanup Machine...

Customized motor test systems.(Media Mart)
April 1, 2004... Magtrol, Inc. provides complete, customized turn-key lest benches for electric, hydraulic and pneumatic motors, gas engines and pumps. The test systems are comprised of motor test equipment with LabVIEW[TM] based Motor Testing Software and...

Spiral bevel gear drives.(Media Mart)
April 1, 2004... Catalog describes right-angle, three-way, and counter-rotating high-quality gear drives with stainless steel shaft sizes from 3/8 to 1 inch. Totally sealed, corrosion resistant units have unique locknut assembly to allow for smooth, quiet...

Cleanroom precision positioning table--TC.(Media Mart)
April 1, 2004... IKO Cleanroom precision positioning table TC is suitable for use in an environment requiring high cleanliness such as semiconductor manufacturing equipment and liquid crystal related equipment. Its unique high air tightness structure seals the...

LDL linear encoder.(Media Mart)
April 1, 2004... Utilizing reflective optical diffraction technology, the LDL is a compact, affordable answer to digitize motion to resolutions of .00005 inches (.0005 mm). Offered in travel lengths up to 48 inches, no contact between the readhead and scale...

Miniature bellow couplings.(Media Mart)
April 1, 2004... R+W miniature bellow couplings are for low intertia applications requiring high positioning accuracy, and are now available in a wide variety of mounting methods. The couplings compensate for parallel, angular and axial offsets, and are much...

Electric cylinders.(Media Mart)
April 1, 2004... RACO Electric Linear Cylinders with ballscrews or acme screws are environmentally safe and low maintenance cylinders. Thrusts to 200,000 lbs., speeds to 30"/second, and strokes in 20 ft. Modular system allows custom built units using the...

Precision positioning stages.(Media Mart)
April 1, 2004... Kohzu, Japan's premiere manufacturer of precision motion instruments now offers its comprehensive line of rotary, linear and swivel-arc stages to the American industrial and scientific community. Manual and motorized sub-micron accuracy...

Clutches & brakes.(Media Mart)
April 1, 2004... New 22-page, color brochure features Hilliard's full line of motion control products, including overrunning, bi-directional, intermittent motion, torque limiting and centrifugal clutches, plus permanent magnet, electric and Twiflex brakes....

Wave springs.(Media Mart)
April 1, 2004... New 2001 Wave Spring Catalog! Smalley has over 1800 springs in stock with sizes from 3/8" to 16". Special designs range from 9/32" to 84"; carbon and stainless steel are available. Smalley offers a No Tooling-Cost[TM] manufacturing process. All...

Motor mounting systems.(Media Mart)
April 1, 2004... Brochure illustrates motor mounting products, including Automatic motor bases, adjustable motor bases, adjustable rail, custom motor mountings, and transition bases to adapt NEMA "rerated" motor frame sizes to existing mountings, Outlines...

Easy-to-use image acquisition board.(Vision in Motion)
April 1, 2004... Easy setup is the key to the PC2-CamLink image acquisition board. The monochrome board is designed for the 32-bit PCI bus and supports one Base Camera Link area or linescan camera. Bracket-mounted LEDs provide immediate visual indication that...

High-speed frame grabber.(Vision in Motion)
April 1, 2004... Designed for high-speed analog cameras using the latest progressive scan CCD sensor technology, the MVS-8501 frame grabber delivers high-speed acquisition in a single-channel architecture that supports up to four multiplexed cameras. The...

PXI/CompactPCI module expands connectivity.(Vision in Motion)
April 1, 2004... The PXI-8252 IEEE 1394 host adaptor delivers PXI/CompactPCI connectivity to a range of industrial machine-vision cameras. IEEE 1394 is an established industry, standard for PCs and is suitable for machine-vision applications in which large data...