Motion System Design articles from April 2009

Motion System Design archives from April 2009

Rolling right along.(Celebration: MSD's big Five-O)(Mark Heller of Emerson Power Transmission speaks about the bushing systems)(Interview)
April 1, 2009... As technology changes and advances, some components and equipment inevitably fall by the wayside, often replaced by shiny new designs that are better, smaller, and cheaper. Yet some products withstand the test of time, staying relatively...

Shaft locker.(BETTER BY Design)
April 1, 2009... Now there is a way to lock components onto shafts and spindles where installation perpendicular to the shaft is not possible: Similar to threaded versions, the new Bearlok uses a set of evenly spaced socket-head capscrews to engage a...

Investigating IP codes.(Brushing Up)
April 1, 2009... IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) Publication 60529 Classification of Degrees of Protection Provided by Enclosures provides a system for specifying the enclosure of electrical equipment on the basis of the degree of protection...

Gearing up for washdown.(Design by Objective)
April 1, 2009... Some of the harshest environmental settings are those involving water. If your designs will be subjected to dripping, spraying, or all-out submersion, consider the following stainless-clad products and drainage approaches to help protect them...

Help motors survive wet environments.(Solution snapshot)
April 1, 2009... When electric motors are installed in wet or damp areas, their lives are inevitably shorter than if they lived in a dry climate. However, using a little caution can extend motor life. Open Drip Proof (ODP) motors have openings in their frames...

Update your files quickly and easily.(File builder)
April 1, 2009... Get your next project off to a fast start, no matter what it entails, by collecting design-oriented information now. Send in your response card (stitched into your copy of MSD) or visit www.motionsystemdesign.com and click on Reader Service...

Go green by choosing a clutch motor.(GREEngineering)
April 1, 2009... Is your company "going green?" Green has become the latest catchword to include actions such as recycling containers, reducing pollution output, and using products twice--for instance, using old oil for heating. Reducing electricity usage is...

Coupling Q&A.(In response)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2009... I recently happened across Howard Schwerdlin's article, "Torque by Magnetic Pull," on your web site. I am working on a vacuum pump project where we intend to use magnetic couplings to overcome a seal leakage problem. We would like to know the...

Women making strides.(In response)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2009... I just received the Feb. issue of Motion System Design and enjoyed the article on women in engineering. It is good to see a woman as the chief editor of a technical magazine. Just last night I told my 11-year-old daughter Sonia how great it was...

Red flag for efficiency.(In response)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2009... I am a retired engineer and have a patent-pending invention for a more efficient way to illuminate flags on vertical flagpoles than existing methods. The National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, is interested in my...

Season for recession.(In the Loop)
April 1, 2009... As you may have heard, the U.S. is currently in recession. The S&P 500 has lost about half its value, property values have fallen for two years solid, one in ten homes is in foreclosure, fraud discoveries are epic, the auto, banking, and...

Servopneumatic control.(MSD 101)
April 1, 2009... More refined than simple on/off regulation of motion, proportional control of pneumatics is a cost-effective way to impart flexibility. In these systems, a controller and fast-acting valve feed power to their connected cylinder to produce...

Q&A.
April 1, 2009... What controls compensate for disturbances or parameter changes? Open-loop systems are simple, but leave some performance parameters to chance. Closed-loop systems are needed when precision is required, when a system may be subjected to...

Cam we help you? Cams for indexing and oscillating.(Mechanical cams)
April 1, 2009... For many applications, mechanical cams are unrivaled by any competitors, electronic or otherwise. In machine design, indexing is the movement from an initial position to a new position, starting and ending in rest. What applications...

Transducer-quality strain gages.(New Products)
April 1, 2009... Custom and OEM strain, linear, double-shear, bridge, Karma, and diaphragm gages made to order in batches from $200 or standard in stock. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Features & benefits * Dual shear gage SGT-2d/350M-SY41 from $3.70,...

Chains and sprockets.(New Products)
April 1, 2009... Chain drives manufactured to ANSI specifications, and teeth are machined after chain rows are in place for longer life. Features & benefits * High carbon steel, no "A" plates on multiples or inserted finished hub design; runout and...

Heavy-duty encoder.(New Products)
April 1, 2009... MR316 ZapFREE heavy-duty fiber optic rotary encoder is designed for harsh and hazardous environments. Features & benefits * For use in ATEX-type Group I/II hazardous locations, 90-mm encoder housing, large 12-mm shaft, heavy-duty...

Electric clutches.(New Products)
April 1, 2009... Electric clutches are designed to mount right onto an engine shaft and take the vibration and temperature from small gas or diesel engines. Features & benefits * Can either drive components directly or through a belt * A variety of...

Backlash free couplings.(New Products)
April 1, 2009... SKF-5000 backlash-free torque limit couplings accommodate more than double the torque of older models. Features & benefits * Array of torque-limiting elements, limiter handles torques to over 4,000 lb-ft; transmittable and...

Linear magnetic encoders.(New Products)
April 1, 2009... LM10 linear encoder offers value and up to 100 m measuring length. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Features & benefits * Solid-state, noncontact design, IP68 readhead rides at 0.1 to 1.5 mm standoff over self-adhesive magnetic strip scale;...

Linear modules and actuators.(New Products)
April 1, 2009... eCKK and eCKR Compact modules offer maintenance-free operation through lubricated bearings, integrated stepper motor with positioning control, configurable 3D CAD generator, and hybrid eLINE ball rail guideways. Features & benefits *...

Couplings for high-stress applications.(New Products)
April 1, 2009... CD Couplings are suitable for use with fixed displacement hydraulic pumps driven by servomotors. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Features & benefits * Pump systems utilize power and precision of servomotors... pressure is controlled by...

Gearmotors, motors, speed control.(New Products)
April 1, 2009... A new line of 12 V PMdc gearmotors, motors, and dc motor speed control is available for low voltage, battery powered, remote location, or solar applications. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Features & benefits * 12-V PMdc gear-motors and...

Heavy-duty linear thrusters.(New Products)
April 1, 2009... T4 Thrusters offer ultra smooth actuation and twice the static load-carrying capability of T series thrusters. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Features & benefits * Black anodized body, precision recirculating ball bearings * Four...

Integrated servomotors.(New Products)
April 1, 2009... SM2316D-PLS2 and SM2316DT-PLS2 servomotors are complete servo systems with built-in controller, amplifier, and encoder. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Features & benefits * Higher encoder resolution (4,000 cpr) offers smoother velocity...

Digital torquemeters.(New Products)
April 1, 2009... MCRT 86000V and 87000V series bearingless digitial torquemeters tolerate rotor to stator misalignments of 1 in. axially and 0.3 in. radially. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Features & benefits * Mechanical overload ratings of 400%; 0.05%...

Non-stiction air cylinders.(New Products)
April 1, 2009... Airpel non-stiction air cylinders now include a position sensing option: non-contact electronic switching sensors from Sick Inc., using giant magneto resistive (GMR) technology. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Features & benefits * For...

Compact linear actuator.(New Products)
April 1, 2009... Motorized linear actuator LSMA-160-300 provides precision travel up to 300 mm and is driven by a brushless servo or stepper motor with a precision-ground ballscrew. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Features & benefits * Low profile, high...

IP67 limit switches.(New Products)
April 1, 2009... MP730 through MP760 sealed limit switches connect through an M12x1 connector to maintain IP67 protection. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Features & benefits * Can be mounted on the side, bottom-mount option also available * Metal...

Integrated motor and driver.(New Products)
April 1, 2009... The MDrive line now offers a quad stack NEMA size 23 brushless 1.8[degrees] stepping motor that delivers speed-torque comparable to a single stack NEMA 34, but with a 33% smaller footprint. Features & benefits * MDrive23Plus with quad...

Torque motors.(New Products)
April 1, 2009... TMK high speed, iron core torque motors feature a new electromagnetic design that increases continuous torque by 30% and speed up to 350% over classical torque motors. Features & benefits [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Available in 12...

Linear guides.(New Products)
April 1, 2009... The HA Series of high-accuracy linear guides provides high motion accuracy, rigidity, load capacity, and improved dust resistance. Features & benefits * High motion accuracy is achieved through the use of ultralong ball slides in both...

Top 10 tips: caring for cables and carriers.(MSD's Top 10)
April 1, 2009... Specifying and working with cables--the lifeblood of automated machinery and systems--takes an understanding of how they work and how to protect them. Check out these tips and tactics from industry leaders to keep your data and power lines...

Cost-cutting online calculator.(Web Contents)
April 1, 2009... Now available online: a new tool to help manufacturers understand uses of machine vision and industrial identification. "In these difficult economic times, optimizing quality and reducing cost is important. Our new Cost Savings Advisor makes it...

PARTsolutions online catalog.(Web Contents)
April 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] PBC Linear--Pacific Bearing Linear--now offers 3D CAD files online. Simply register or login (the process is fast) for access at pbclinear. com. "PARTsolutions looks forward to serving customers with the best digital...

April 9th: Plastic gear webinar.(Web Contents)(Conference news)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Engineers are focused on creating cost-effective, energy-efficient designs that offer performance and value to end customers. Advancements in design, materials, manufacturing, and inspection have made it possible to...

New site + linear motion tools.(Web Contents)(Del-Tron Precision Inc.)(www.deltron.com)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... A new website enables users to identify products based on a range of criteria, calculate life and loads, download solid models, and order products. Launched by Del-Tron Precision, Inc., the new website puts all design information in one place....

Webcast on efficiency: April 16.(Web Contents)(Conference news)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... Efficiency is often one of the last factors that design engineers consider when specifying for an OEM application, yet it is critical to optimized design. When does a more efficient but sometimes more costly motor provide ROI over the...

Magazine home base.(Web Contents)
April 1, 2009... Visit the streamlined motionsystemdesign.com for fresh information on the power transmission, motion control, and automation industries. Besides online stories, you'll also find MSD features posted there. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Shake, rattle, roll no more more: negative-stiffness vibration isolation improves imaging from laser and optical systems.(Vibration control)
April 1, 2009... Laser and optical systems, whether used in academic labs or industry, are very susceptible to vibrations from the environment, and so these instruments frequently need vibration isolation. They measure a very few angstroms or nanometers of...

Progress continues on China's great wheel.(Industry Focus: Construction and Agriculture)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... In Beijing, construction continues on the Great Wheel of China, a giant Ferris wheel that will soon hold the record as the world's highest observation wheel, with views reaching the famous Great Wall. When completed in 2010, it will stand 680...

Construction to begin on Oak Ridge facility.(Industry Focus: Construction and Agriculture)(Oak Ridge National Laboratory)
April 1, 2009... Major building and construction projects have been put on pause by the global recession, but some promising news appears on the horizon: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) officials just announced that construction will start in approximately...

Agricultural equipment demand: $112 billion in 2012.(What's New)
April 1, 2009... World demand for agricultural equipment is forecast to rise 3.8% per year through 2012 to $112 billion, according to World Agricultural Equipment, a recent study from The Freedonia Group Inc., Cleveland. Despite the economic downturn, gains...

Dean Kamen to speak at PTDA meeting.(What's New)(Power Transmission Distributors Association)(Brief article)(Conference notes)
April 1, 2009... If you're a fan of the revolutionary Segway Personal Transporter, mark your calendars now: Inventor, entrepreneur, and advocate for science and technology Dean Kamen will be the opening keynote speaker for the co-located PTDA 2009 Industry...

Webcast explores efficiency in OEM design.(What's New)(Conference news)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... Groschopp engineers Ron Didier and Jared Birk of Groschopp Inc., Sioux Center, Iowa, will return to the web for the company's annual educational webcast on April 16 at 2 p.m. EST. The curriculum is designed for mechanical, electrical, and OEM...

Coca-Cola donates funds for packaging center.(What's New)
April 1, 2009... A project proposed by The Coca-Cola Company and Michigan State University (MSU) aims to improve the global sustainability of product packaging. Coca-Cola awarded $400,000 to MSU's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources to help establish a...

Pacific Bearing apologizes, settles with Rollon.(Biz bits)
April 1, 2009... Rollon Corp., Sparta, N.J., announces that it has settled with Pacific Bearing Co., Roscoe, Ill., in a lawsuit regarding the latter's advertising campaign in Machine Design magazine. The settlement, which included financial compensation and an...

Learning Ladder winners announced.(Biz bits)
April 1, 2009... Divelbiss Corp., Fredericktown, Ohio, announces five First Prize winners in the Learning Ladder contest sponsored by Motion System Design. Winners will receive the PLC/Programming Learning Package introduced by Divelbiss last year, which allows...

Ormec goes international.(Biz bits)
April 1, 2009... Ormec Systems Corp., Rochester, N.Y., traditionally a North American supplier of motion controllers, drives, and motors for automating sophisticated converting, assembly, and packaging machinery, has branched out across the world. Over the past...

Schunk appoints Tom Jerry national sales manager.(Biz bits)
April 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Schunk Inc., Morrisville, N.C., a supplier of automation, workholding, and toolholding technology, announces the promotion of Tom Jerry to national sales manager of Schunk USA. Jerry has been with the company for...