Motion System Design articles from December 2004

Motion System Design archives from December 2004

Web contents.
December 1, 2004... Click on Current Issue to read and comment on the Editor's latest editorial. For in-depth information on motors, bearings, linear motion, controllers, and sensors, click on Issue Archive to browse past features. Subscribe online Don't...

What's in a name?(In the LOOP)
December 1, 2004... I was recently thumbing through an industrial catalog when several items caught my attention. It wasn't the products themselves that attracted me. It was their names: Everest, Baja, Sahara, Peak, Falcon, and Genesis. Now that sounds like a...

Bargain shopping.(In Response)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... I read with interest the "Good Buys" editorial (October 2004), and I must share with you two stories that members of my family had with Wal-Mart. My daughter worked for a clothing manufacturer as an H.R. director. They did much contract...

The cost of buying American.(In Response)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... I agree with the basic premise of your October 2004 editorial. It seems odd to me that we, as U.S. citizens, vehemently complain about the government allowing manufacturing jobs to move overseas while we stand in Wal-Mart buying foreign goods....

Staying competitive.(In Response)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... I am the owner of a 30-person design/build automation house in Sylvania, Ohio. I read your October editorial this morning. It comes on the heels of continual presidential campaign blather this week in Ohio, dealing with outsourcing and the loss...

Omission.(In Response)
December 1, 2004... In the closing of the Course Audit series Hypoid and bevel gearing (November 2004), one last point should be made: A spiral bevel set with a large number of teeth and a small amount of profile-separation crowning shows no edge contacts in...

Bring back the fun.
December 1, 2004... Your magazine is among the best for interesting and informative articles, as well as columns like In the Loop, In Response, and What's New. I have never missed, and often save, the Fun with Fundamentals section. I cannot imagine any engineer...

New twist on precision spring forming.(What's New)
December 1, 2004... Precision spring manufacturing has never been exact because of the inconsistencies in the wire feed stock and normal wear that occurs in the forming tool. But the Spring Technologies division of Reell Precision Mfg., St. Paul, could change that...

Electric automation event headed to Chicago.(What's New)
December 1, 2004... A number of companies have already signed up to take part in SPS Electric Automation America, scheduled for May 2005 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. The exhibition portion, running May 24 to 26, will cover...

New sales manager.(What's New)
December 1, 2004... Minarik Automation & Controls has announced Ken Tevebaugh as sales manager of the Charlotte facility. He will be responsible for business planning and strategies, managing the entire outside sales force, and handling supplier relations, while...

Warship of the future is all electric.(U.S. Navy )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Researchers at the University at Buffalo are helping the U.S. Navy develop a next-generation all-electric warship that aims to revolutionize the Navy's use of weaponry and manpower. Current shipboard electrical systems can't distribute the...

Drives alert users when they need repair.(What's New)(Called Maintenance Assistant)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Imagine how much easier maintenance would be if motor drives could remind you when they needed repair. ABB Inc., New Berlin, Wis., makes that dream a reality with its ACS550 Series ac drive with built-in maintenance triggers. Called...

Report clears up bearing confusion.(What's New)
December 1, 2004... The sheer diversity of linear bearing products can be confusing to those who want to use the products in their machine designs. To help clarify things, a report from the Bearing Specialists Association identifies basic machine functions and the...

Small motors experience big growth.(What's New)(motor market )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The North and South American small motor market has seen major growth, with some suppliers having experienced as much as a 40% increase in motor sales in the first quarter of this year, says IMS Research. IMS Research believes the recent...

Stepping off the plane: non-Cartesian actuators are improving applications where the weren't even feasible before. Full definition of their dynamics and kinematics helps designers extract maximum performance from these systems.(kinematics)
December 1, 2004... For years, most motion system designers wanting to create motion in a 2D plane or in 3 D space would use a Cartesian mechanism. The perpendicular action of Cartesian actuators makes several things easy for the system designer. First, Cartesian...

Environmental & safety: Today's automation systems must be designed with safety and environmental effects in mind.(Design by Objective)
December 1, 2004... Name some safety concerns affecting the automation industry today. Carlson: Some concerns include the effects of high noise level on personnel, ergonomic issues, such as repetitive stress, and safeguarding personnel from hazards. Hull:...

Filling up fast: A multi-tasking motion control system speeds changeovers on an in-line fluid filler.(Field Report)
December 1, 2004... One of the biggest advantages of inline filling machines compared with rotary fillers is their ability to quickly changeover to different products. Fast changeover is beneficial because it allows smaller production runs, which reduce inventory...

Without a scratch: heavy-duty idlers help save galvanized steel strip from damage.(Field Report)
December 1, 2004... WCI Steel Inc., based Warren, Ohio, is flat-rolled steel producer specializing in custom carbon, alloy, and electrical steel products. The company offers approximately 185 grades of high-quality steel used by strip converters, steel service...

The Nobel Physics Prize--the last 50 years.(Brushing Up)
December 1, 2004... A dynamite idea The Nobel Prize was instituted by Alfred Bernard Nobel (1833-1896) to recognize outstanding work in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and world peace. Winners, besides being distinguished from their peers, receive a...

Smart camera with built-in Ethernet.(Sensors & Signals)
December 1, 2004... The VC2068/E smart camera with built-in Ethernet/TCPIP capability from Vision Components, Hudson, N.H., captures full-frame 1,240(H) x 1,024(V) pixel images at 10 fps. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Comes with a variety of communications...

Digital bi-directional encoder interfaces.(Sensors & Signals)
December 1, 2004... EnDat (Encoder Data) 2.2 from Heidenhain, Schaumburg, Ill., a digital bi-directional interface for encoders, can output absolute position values, as well as request or update information stored in an encoder. FEATURES & BENEFITS *...

One sensor, four sensing nodes.(Sensors & Signals)
December 1, 2004... The PhotoVirtu photoelectric sensor from Hyde Park Electronics LLC, Dayton, includes diffuse, background-suppression, polarized retroreflective, and thru-beam sensing modes and provides optional light or dark operation. The sensor is teachable...

High growth predicted for industrial Ethernet.(Sensors & Signals)
December 1, 2004... The industrial Ethernet market will glow rapidly for at least the next five years, according to automation analysts at IMS Research. This is said to reflect an increase in networking generally and a shift to Ethernet-based protocols, as users...

Core value.(Better By Design)
December 1, 2004... A new type of ballscrew designed specifically for machine tools offers exceptional vibration-damping characteristics, achieving a 50 times higher loss factor than comparable devices. The secret is in the construction of the screw. A ceramic...

Turbo charged.(Better By Design)
December 1, 2004... A thin magnetic disc mounted on a low-inertia rot gives step motors unrivaled dynamic qualities, owing them to accelerate, move, and stop faster and more accurately than comparable steppers. The disc is made of rare earth material magnetized...

Speedy sensors.(Spotlight on Machine Vision)
December 1, 2004... The F210 high-speed vision sensor combines image acquisition as fast as 1.4 msec with advanced measurement algorithms. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Measurement cycles as fast as 3 msec when used with the F160-S2 double speed camera *...

Fast, programmable scan cameras.(Spotlight on Machine Vision)
December 1, 2004... The IPX-VGA90 and IPX-VGA120 high-speed progressive scan cameras offer a frame rate of 90 frames and 120 frames per sec, respectively, at a full resolution of 640 x 480 pixels. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Black and white and color versions...

Frame grabbers.(Spotlight on Machine Vision)
December 1, 2004... The p3i_SEC frame grabber is designed for security and monitoring applications. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Available for PCI buses or as PMC mezzanine cards * Data recorded via 16 analog inputs, each containing a separate A/D converter...

Color, high-resolution vision sensors.(Spotlight on Machine Vision)
December 1, 2004... The In-Sight 5400C color vision sensor and the In-Sight 5401 high-resolution model have been added to a family of industrial-grade vision sensors. Both are available early next year. FEATURES & BENEFITS * In-Sight 5400C performs a...

Multi-camera machine vision.(Spotlight on Machine Vision)
December 1, 2004... The iNspect machine vision appliance provides multiple-camera inspections. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Accommodates views and processing for up to three cameras * Setup and monitoring via traditional desktop interface * Optional...

Safe servo drives.(New Products)
December 1, 2004... The KE/KW Series of intelligent servo drives features safety category 4 according to EN 954-1. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Two-channel safety functions integrated into each drive module * No additional control or monitoring equipment...

Tool control software.(New Products)
December 1, 2004... DMAC Control software allows control of cutting machines and robots directly from CAD/CAM software. FEATURES & BENEFITS * PC-based open architecture with digital and analog drive interface * Multi-axis force control and I/O *...

Hollow-bore gearmotors.(New Products)
December 1, 2004... H Box hollow gearmotors feature a 1-in. hollow shaft to eliminate couplings and other associated hardware. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Chili-cast bronze gearing; heat-treated and ground steel worm * 10, 20, 30, and 60:1 ratios *...

Automatic belt and chain drive tensioner.(New Products)
December 1, 2004... T-Max RT4000 automatic tensioners are optimized for high speed or heavily loaded industrial belt and chain applications. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Reversible, alloy-steel torsional-wrapped spring provides tension and damps vibration *...

One-ton ballscrew actuator.(New Products)
December 1, 2004... One-ton-capacity ballscrew actuator has a 23.1% efficiency rating. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Maximum 1/2 hp; 1/4 hp for optional ratio configurations * Top plate, clevis, or threaded end mounts * Lifts to 20 ft DUFF NORTON ...

Pillow blocks.(New Products)
December 1, 2004... A new standard Graphalloy 845PTB Series of pillow blocks is self-lubricating and available in shaft sizes from 0.5 to 2 in. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Require no grease or oil, work in temperatures from -400 to 1,000[degrees]F *...

Linear actuators.(New Products)
December 1, 2004... Size 34 hybrid linear actuators are now available with encoder feedback. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Encoder comes with two channel quadrature TTL squarewave outputs; third channel optional * Encoder resolution ranges from 100 to 2,048...

Miniature bellows couplings.(New Products)
December 1, 2004... MK2 Series miniature metal bellows couplings are designed for highly dynamic servo applications. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Easy to mount with two clamping screws * Incorporate a stainless-steel bellow that simultaneously compensates...

Stepper drive system.(New Products)
December 1, 2004... SureStep stepmotors and drives precisely control speed and position. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Accept pulse and direction signals * Square frame increases torque-to-volume ratio * Selectable step sizes (400 to 10,000 steps/rev)...

Clip and double-spherical bearings.(New Products)
December 1, 2004... Self-aligning Igubal bearings adapt to angular deviations and often replace special housings. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Spherical Igubal clips eliminate misalignment issues on sheet-metal applications * Double-spherical bearings...

Linear actuator.(New Products)
December 1, 2004... ServoNut power module combines a NEMA-23 motor with a ballscrew for high force. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Zero-backlash ballscrew for high accelerations of heavy payloads * Example capability: 1 in., 300 lbf acceleration at 80% duty...

Vibration-resistant inclinometer.(New Products)
December 1, 2004... Rugged sensor measures tilt accurately and reliably. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Highly accurate * Fluid damping * Vibration rejection COLUMBIA RESEARCH LABORATORIES INC. Woodlyn, Pa. (800) 813-8471 ...

Integrated chips.(New Products)
December 1, 2004... StallGuard integrated driver chips detect when a stepmotor stalls--without the need for a sensor or encoder. FEATURES & BENEFITS * TMC246 dual full bridge driver suitable for bipolar stepmotor contol; can operate to 105[degrees]C or to...

High-resolution servo feedback.(New Products)
December 1, 2004... Servo drives improve resolution with SIN/COS feedback option. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Adjustable interpolation (4x to 4,096x) * 250-kHz bandwidth * Buffered as well as differential output ELMO MOTION CONTROL Westford,...

Microstepping drives.(New Products)
December 1, 2004... Q2HB stepmotor drives for OEMs power a wide range of 2-phase motors. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Runs on ac or dc power * Delivers up to 8 A/phase * 200,000-pulse/sec step rate * Drives up to NEMA-42 motors SOURCE...

Absolute encoder/indicator.(New Products)
December 1, 2004... The AZ16 Series absolute encoder/indicator measures up to 8m. FEATURES & BENEFITS * 0.1-mm encoder resolution * Absolute or relative measurement switchover * Millimeters or inches operation ELGO ELECTRIC GMBH ...

Direct-drive linear servomotor.(New Products)
December 1, 2004... The Shaft Motor is a direct-drive linear servomotor driven by using magnetic circuits consisting only of permanent magnets and coils. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Quiet operation * Coreless construction eliminates cogging * 0.14-nm...

Five-phase stepper drives.(New Products)
December 1, 2004... IMS51 ac bipolar drivers comply with GE standards when powering high-torque stepmotors. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Easy setup and programming * Many auto and protection functions * 1.4 or 2.8-A/phase output * Accepts CW/CCW...

Standalone stepper control.(New Products)
December 1, 2004... R164 stepmotor drive and control unit simplifies stepper applications. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Produces up to 1.5 A (12 to 40 Vdc) * Software selectable hold and move currents * Programmable ramps and speeds * Networks with...

Chrome-plated collars.(New Products)
December 1, 2004... Solution Series collars come in bore sizes from 1/8 to 3 in. to fit 47 standard shafts. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Stainless steel clamping screws; face or OD can be drilled or tapped for mounting components * Supplied with flats and...

Sensor bearings.(New Products)
December 1, 2004... Sensor-Bearing units return precise motion status of rotating or translating components. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Records number of revolutions, speed, rotation direction, relative position, and accelerations * Uniform signal...

Shaft collars.(New Products)
December 1, 2004... Stainless steel collars resist corrosion. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Type 303 steel more resistant to mild acids, chloride, washdowns than zinc or nickel-plated steels * One and two-piece styles with bore sizes from 1/8 to 6 in., or 3...

Linear actuator.(New Products)
December 1, 2004... EZ Limo combines a step motor, controls, ballscrew, and feedback system in one unit. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Strokes from 50 to 500 mm, loads to 30 kg; repetitive accuracy to [+ or -] 0.02 mm, resolution to 0.01 mm * EZS achieves...

Caged ballscrew.(New Products)
December 1, 2004... Type SBK ballscrew features an increased pitch design for ultra-high speeds. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Feed rates to 200 m/min., permissible DN values to 210,000 * Synthetic resin cage with unique curvature that cradles and separates...

Precision positioning stages.(Media Mart)
December 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...

Integrated brushless controller.
December 1, 2004... The new AMLBG line of brushless motors is offered with an integrated motion controller and power stage. It can store motion routines or is controlled through a discrete I/O interface or a CAN-Bus interface; the communication protocol is...

Miniature bellow couplings.(Media Mart)
December 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...

Fluorinated lubricants.(Media Mart)
December 1, 2004... Krytox[R] Fluorinated Greases and Oils are chemically inert, insoluble in common solvents. Temperature range -103[degrees] to 800[degrees]F. Compatible with plastics, rubber, ceramics, and metals. Nonflammable, oxygen compatible, no silicones...

Customized motor test systems.(Media Mart)
December 1, 2004... Magtrol, Inc. provides complete, customized turn-key test 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...

Linear bearings and automation components.(Media Mart)
December 1, 2004... New Tusk catalog is a resource for design engineers working with linear motion and needing commercially available linear bearings of many types quickly included are dimensions, specifications for ball slides, crossed roller slides, heavy duty...

Super-E motors.(Media Mart)
December 1, 2004... 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...

Linear module actuator.(Media Mart)
December 1, 2004... Rodless actuators offer a high speed maintenance free synchronous belt driven LM type actuator. It consists of a lightweight aluminum carriage running on wheels with ball bearings riding inside a special aluminum extrusion, it is driven by a...

Martin's Pocket Guide to Gears.(Media Mart)
December 1, 2004... Can you tell the difference between a bevel and a miter gear? Do you know what causes excessive drive noise? Do you know how to find the OD of a gear? Free pocket-sized guide answers these questions and more. Request Martin's Pocket Guide To...

Urethane Products.(Media Mart)
December 1, 2004... U.S.A. Drives, Inc. is known for the design, manufacture, and sale of precision urethane belting and molded products. Manufacturing facilities feature specialized molding capabilities providing the best in urethane products. Where custom...

Zero backlash couplings.(Media Mart)
December 1, 2004... New from Ruland Manufacturing Company, Inc. Ruland has just issued a new catalog for their Paradrive[TM] Oldham zero backlash couplings. The Paradrive[TM] motion control coupling is designed to handle parallel misalignment. At the same time the...

Wave Springs.(Media Mart)
December 1, 2004... The new Smalley Steel Ring Co. Wave Spring Catalog is now available. Catalog features over 2000 stock size springs, ranging from 3/8" to 16". Special designs range from .200" to 84" are available in 1-4 weeks with No-Tooling-Charges[TM]. Carbon...

Backlash-Free Solutions.(Media Mart)
December 1, 2004... GERWAH Drive Components offers a complete line of GERWAH[R] Zero Backlash Servo Coupling and PETER[R] Keyless Shaft/Hub Locking Devices, including Bellow, Miniature and Servo Insert Couplings, Mechanical and Magnetic Torque Limiters, Locking...

Gear Reducers.(Media Mart)
December 1, 2004... The new LEESON Electric 7050 Aluminum Gear Reducer. This catalog combines the LEESON Bravo[R] worm gear reducers and Lecentric[TM] inline gear reducers, resulting in a fully comprehensive aluminum gear reducer catalog. Hundreds of new product...

Elgo magnetic linear encoders.(Media Mart)
December 1, 2004... Magnetic-Resistive touchless technology for use in harsh environments. Unaffected by dirt, dust, water, oil, electrical noise or vibration. Applications include: woodworking, saws, metal shears, and metal bending equipment. Sensors are IP65 or...

Anti-Creep Cage Crossed Roller Way--CRWG.(Media Mart)
December 1, 2004... Anti-Creep Crossed Roller Way CRWG offers cage-creep-proof function using a rack-and-pinion mechanism originated from IKO Crossed Roller Way, featuring smooth linear motion with super high accuracy. Additional features include freedom in...

Linear actuators.(Linear Corner)
December 1, 2004... Roh'lix linear actuators convert rotary motion to linear travel and carry loads at speeds to 70 ips, depending on size. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Handle thrust between 5 and 200 lb * Consist of three precision ball bearings at each end...

Linear servomotors.(Linear Corner)
December 1, 2004... AL2400 Series linear servomotors target low-performance ranges, while the AL2800 Series is designed for high-performance ranges. FEATURES & BENEFITS * AL2400 Series: two 50-mm-wide motors with a peak force of 120 or 240 N; 24-mm pole...