Motion System Design articles from August 2006

Motion System Design archives from August 2006

Operation: shrink labeling: lessons and solutions for all motion engineers.(Motion in packaging)
August 1, 2006... How does a typical labeling system work? Labeling products is a mass-production proposition, but its complexity is only growing with increasingly diverse products in convenience, travel, and wholesale-club formats. It begins with wrapping...

Keeping contaminants out: bellows and covers keep cylinder rods, linear bearings, and ways free of chips, coolant, and other contaminants.(Bellows and guards)
August 1, 2006... It's not always clear-cut which protective bellows or cover is most appropriate. Construction and material choices abound, and several combinations may work for one application. Among environmental variables to consider are contaminant type,...

Toughing it out.(Design by objective)
August 1, 2006... It's hot and gritty. Or it's cold and wet. Extreme environments are soaked, submersed, caustic, and chemically saturated areas, in baking-hot temperatures and under vacuum. When the situation can't be improved, how can you improve your design...

Robert Bosch: This month, we review the life of Robert Bosch, perfecter of the automobile ignition, for inspiration and ideas.(Did you know)(Biography)
August 1, 2006... Robert Bosch was born in Southern Germany, September 1861, 11th of 12 children. His auspicious 1876 graduation from a secondary-technical Realschule in the city of Ulm marks a beginning in industry that would last almost 70 years. After...

Winner of problem #288.(Russell Grenig of Washington Group International Inc is the winner of problem #288)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... The winner of Problem #288, "Sliding scale," is Russell Grenig of Washington Group International, Cleveland, Ohio. He claims the grand prize, a 2.4-GHz spectrum analyzer from MetaGeek LLC, Boise, Idaho. Congratulations, Russell! Solution...

A good example.(In response)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2006... Thank you for your writings about Tesla. I found them fascinating and will try to find your blog to read more. You did a great job and have provided an excellent case study to be carefully read by today's inventors. Jerry Yankie You...

Complexity in words.(In response)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2006... Your May 2006 editorial in MSD raises some complicated but intriguing issues. Keep writing. Jim Kornfeld Sharp Packaging Systems Inc. Sussex, Wis.

Man vs. machine.(In response)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2006... Your "Of mice, men, and machines" editorial was an excellent article, but one frustrating problem remains unsolved for the displaced worker. Persons displaced seldom have the necessary skills to work with machines or technology replacing them....

A crafty movement.(In response)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2006... I enjoyed your "Of Mice, Men, and Machines" editorial in the May issue. For one thing, now I know the root of "sabotage." And the topic of automation is one I think about often--in part because our company's vision sensors make it possible to...

Correction.(In response)(Correction notice)
August 1, 2006... In the July Need for Speed article (p.16), note that slider beds of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene are recommended. Gerhard Fickenwirth Gates Mectrol Inc.

Safety minded: safe motion is important because it directly affects machine movements. Now, intelligent drives integrate safety onboard for better control, accuracy, and reaction time.(Intelligent drives)
August 1, 2006... Motion-based machines are running more axes at higher speeds and faster accelerations. This creates a demand for machines that move safely and that also satisfy regulations and competitive pressures. Once a primary safety mechanism, interlock...

Vene, vede da Vinci--Curiosita.(In the loop)
August 1, 2006... Leonardo da Vinci's formula for creativity, described in the prologue of this series, is based on seven characteristics or behaviors. Da Vinci believed that by cultivating these behaviors he could develop his creativity. I suspect we can do the...

A look inside: motion controller design: graphic development platforms simplify the motion controller design process for everyone.(Motion controllers)
August 1, 2006... Off-the-shelf motion controllers are a convenient and economical solution for most automation needs. But when applications demand more than the average off-the-shelf (OTS) controller can provide--faster servo update rates, better adaptability...

Plastic gears.(MSD 101)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... The use of plastic gears is limited, largely because it takes special expertise to design them properly. Too, many engineers deal with gears so infrequently, that the seemingly complex discipline delays their consideration of plastic varieties....

What special considerations must be made for environment?(Q&A)
August 1, 2006... Whether they're inside a gearcase or exposed to open air, plastic teeth can be much hotter than their surroundings. Then they increase in size, effectively reducing the distance between them, thereby reducing backlash and other clearances....

Do plastic gears require lubrication?(Q&A)
August 1, 2006... Lubrication provides a boundary layer between gear teeth in mesh, reducing friction and heat while guarding against premature wear. Lubricants like oil transfer heat from the gears to the exterior housing. External grease and oils may be...

What are the accuracy requirements of plastic gearing?(Q&A)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Assembly tolerances must be carefully controlled in plastic gear trains--especially center-distance tolerances including bearing play and runout, which are often overlooked. While mold manufacturers and injection molders may be capable of...

Sparking motion: tips for optimizing electric actuator speeds.(Need for speed)
August 1, 2006... Electric actuators move to a desired linear position in response to an external power source. To accomplish this, components such as screws and belts must be able to operate at high speeds. Certain design and application factors, however, can...

Optimizing case packer technology.(What's new: Industry Focus: Material Handling)
August 1, 2006... Packaging is a motion intensive and engineering heavy field in automation, requiring equipment such as the robotic pick-and-place top loading case packer, the TL-10, from Sabel Engineering. This system achieves maximum throughput and maintains...

Parternship aligns robotics, vision systems.(What's new: Industry Focus: Material Handling)
August 1, 2006... Staubli Robotics, Duncan, S.C., a robotics manufacturer, has created a partner agreement with Cognex Corp., a machine vision system provider in Natick, Mass. The partnership combines Staubli's automated solutions with Cognex's vision systems....

BSA recognizes industry leaders.(What's new: Industry Focus: Material Handling)
August 1, 2006... The Bearing Specialists Association (BSA) elected officers and recognized outstanding members at its annual convention in Sarasota, Fla. in April. Tom Miller, group vice president of Motion Industries, was elected 2006-2007 president. The...

Drives market sees continued growth.(What's new: Industry Focus: Material Handling)
August 1, 2006... The past 24 months have seen the strongest consecutive years of growth for the worldwide ac and dc drives market in over a decade, says data from IMS Research, Austin, Tex. The market was strong across all product categories, power ranges, and...

Continuing education at your fingertips.(What's new: Industry Focus: Material Handling)
August 1, 2006... Machine Design magazine has teamed up with the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) and the University of Wisconsin, Madison, to provide several new professional development courses for engineers. The following course is available online from...

Couple's skate.(Problem 290)
August 1, 2006... Finagle J. Wurme is thrilled to be visiting the roller rink for the first time. After he dons his pair of new roller skates, he moves gingerly towards the rink. He joins the others on the shiny floorboards, and gazes at them as they zoom past,...

Locking cylinders.(Pneumatic Solutions)
August 1, 2006... Advanced Locking Cylinders with integral Amlok rod clamp control over travel, drifting, bouncing, and reverse traveling. Features & benefits * Oversized intensifier ensures long life * High locking force holds rod in mid-stroke...

Rolling diaphragm cylinders.(Pneumatic Solutions)
August 1, 2006... Diaphragm air cylinders provide frictionless conversion of pneumatic pressure to linear force. Features & benefits * Lack of stiction or blow-by ensures accuracy, repeatability, and sensitivity * Available in strokes of 1.8 to 4.2...

Spiral retaining rings & wave springs.(Media MART)
August 1, 2006... Smalley's complete product line is now available in one easy to navigate catalog. The new catalog includes over 7,000 standard wave springs, spiral retaining rings and snap rings. Smalley's new catalog offers simplified part selection, special...

Efficiency motors.(Media MART)
August 1, 2006... Baldor Electric Company offers Super-E[R] NEMA Premium[TM] efficiency motors from 1 through 1500 HP in low and medium voltages. TEFC, ODP, WPI and WPII enclosures are available with choice of environmental protection such as severe duty, IEEE...

Catalog CD.(Media MART)
August 1, 2006... AutomationDirect's complimentary catalog CD offers over 5500 industrial automation products for a wide range of applications. Also available in print, the 1750-page catalog and addendum feature product descriptions, technical data, and photos...

The world's most compact digital servo drive.(Media MART)
August 1, 2006... Elmo Motion Control's Whistle weighs only 1.8 ounces and is the size of a matchbox (2in). Despite its size, it can deliver 10A/1000W of continuous power (at up to 99% efficiency) and 20A/2000W of peak current. The Whistle has all the...

Self-lubricating gear solutions calculated for life.(Media MART)
August 1, 2006... The Intech Power-Core[TM] gears are precision machined and offer solutions to applications in which lubrication, wear, noise, vibration, inertia, shock load, moisture and chemicals present a problem for nylon, Delrin or metal gears. Metal Core...

Precision mechanical components.(Media MART)
August 1, 2006... Comprehensive, easy-to-use format for over 50,000 components: bearings, belts & pulleys, shafts, couplers, gears, hardware, slides, lead screws & nuts, positioning tables, linear motion systems and more. Call for application engineering...

Rexroth IndraMotion for Handling.(Media MART)
August 1, 2006... Bosch Rexroth offers a complete and scalable gantry solution for handling applications. IndaMotion for Handling includes the necessary hardware and software components with predefined motion function blocks to run pick-and-place and...

Miniature turntable bearings save weight and space.(Media MART)
August 1, 2006... Miniature Reali-Slim[R] TT Series turntable bearings from Kaydon save weight, reduce product envelope size and increase design flexibility for turntable applications--including robotics, radar antennae, and factory positioning and inspection...

Linear guides.(Products)
August 1, 2006... Type RSR1M and RSR2M linear motion guides are just a few millimeters in width. Features & benefits * RSR1M rail is 1 mm wide; RSR2M is 2 to 4 mm wide * Minimal rolling resistance; four-way equal load ratings * Martensitic...

Digital controller card.(Products)
August 1, 2006... VT-HACD-1 digital amplifier accepts analog voltage/current and digital SSI or incremental feedback with algorithms for controlling electrohydraulic drives. Features & benefits * Used as a closed-loop control card or command-value...

Linear stages.(Products)
August 1, 2006... The FB series stage utilizes ceramic servomotors and comes in many sizes. Features & benefits * Slides from 50 to 150 mm wide * Based on crossed roller bearings; contain a non-contact linear encoder * Position resolution...

Compact position sensors.(Products)
August 1, 2006... TEX series of position sensors combine a compact housing--18 mm diameter --with pressure equalization. Features & benefits * Stroke lengths to 300 mm * Linearity of [+ or -] 0.05%; resolution better than 0.01 mm * Pivot heads...

Single-piece flexible couplings.(Products)
August 1, 2006... Single-piece couplings compensate for mechanical movement irregularities such as angular and skewed misalignment, parallel offset, and axial motion. Features & benefits * 3/8 to 3 in. OD; 15, 20, 25, 30, 40 and 50 mm available *...

Helical planetary gearheads.(Products)
August 1, 2006... Helical planetary precision gearheads attach directly to servo and stepper motors. Features & benefits * Planet carrier; input and output sealing design * Heat and surface-treated * Black anodized aluminum or epoxy-coated...

Interface box.(Products)
August 1, 2006... EIB 192 external interface box changes signals from analog to digital. Features & benefits * Input frequency is less than or equal to 400 kHz * Converts sine/cosine signals to EnDat 2.2 * Lets incremental encoders with 1-Vpp...

Ring slide and track system.(Products)
August 1, 2006... HDRT heavy-duty system combines flexibility and function of the PRT ring track system with size and strength of the HDS slide system. Features & benefits * Supports loads up to 40 kN * Single edge rings from 512 to 1656 mm...

Bus terminal controllers.(Products)
August 1, 2006... BX9000 bus terminal controller is DIN rail mountable, with direct connection to bus terminal I/O system of more than 180 terminal designs. Features & benefits * 256 Kbyte program memory and a 256 Kbyte data memory * Display has 2...

Programming software.(Products)
August 1, 2006... LabView 8.20 graphical programming system supports text-based math with MathScript, improves control design and simulation performance, and accelerates development of real-time system prototypes. Features & benefits * Allows...

Anti-backlash nuts.(Products)
August 1, 2006... C-series nuts optimize system stiffness without sacrificing life or increasing drag torque. Features & benefits * Eliminate clearance between threads of nut and threads of leadscrew * Eliminate backlash by pushing two nuts away...

Steel bearings.(Spotlight bearings and slides)
August 1, 2006... Custom HNRC bearings are made from high nitrogen steel and offer high corrosion resistance and fatigue life. Features & benefits * Nitrogen and high chromium offer stronger resistance than 440C stainless * Hardened and tempered...

Ceramic ball bearings.(Spotlight bearings and slides)
August 1, 2006... Full ceramic and ceramic hybrid ball bearings absorb heat, are extremely resilient, achieve higher speeds, and reduce overall weight in harsh environments. Features & benefits * Ceramic silicon nitride balls are 10 times stronger than...

Spherical plain bearings.(Spotlight bearings and slides)
August 1, 2006... PEL BH spherical plain bearings have grease reservoirs between inner and outer ring of bushing and inner ring and pin for lubrication and long life. Features & benefits * I.D. ranges from 12 to 70 mm * Load ratings from 38 to 960...

Radial, axial bearings.(Spotlight bearings and slides)
August 1, 2006... Max Rail combined bearings can move more than 41,000 lb smoothly using a linear bearing system with integrated two-axis bearings, bearing flange plates, rails, and rail clamps. Features & benefits * Available in 11 sizes for maximum...

Miniature bearings.(Spotlight bearings and slides)
August 1, 2006... Precision miniature bearings are available in corrosion resistant stainless steel and high carbon chromium steel. Features & benefits * Medium and large sizes available, including extra thin and flanged * Bore diameters from 0.6...

Rotary slides.(Spotlight bearings and slides)
August 1, 2006... NB slide rotary series offers absolutely smooth rotary and linear movement. Features & benefits * Available in sizes from 6 to 30 mm * Standard bush contains cylindrically arranged ball elements within retainer that moves inside...