Motion System Design articles from February 2006

Motion System Design archives from February 2006

A beginner's guide to Ethernet Powerlink: industrial communications and automated motion control require large amounts of data to transmit safely, quickly, and in real-time. Ethernet Powerlink accomplishes this.(Platforms and hardware)
February 1, 2006... Ethernet is a high-speed communications network commonly found in factories. It sends information from PCs to destinations such as other PCs, servers, scanners, and printers. Since the 1970s, Ethernet has been used in offices, as a backbone for...

Steel structures.(about steel)
February 1, 2006... Steel, that special, engineered form of iron, is indispensable to industry, providing strength and function no other material can match. Produced since Roman times, modern steel is now made by the technique that Henry Bessemer developed in 1855...

Move with modified PID loops: modified PID loops use fixed-point math to eliminate differences between desired and actual positions, thus optimizing speed, programming, and cost.(Proportional-integral-derivative)
February 1, 2006... Proportional-integral-derivative (PID) loops are often employed to minimize position error in motion control systems. Typically, they are implemented with floating-point math, which simplifies programming but requires a processor and math...

Squeaky clean: design for washdown and sterilization.(Design by objective)
February 1, 2006... Where food and pharmaceuticals are manufactured, it is often necessary to wash and sterilize equipment. But machinery typically doesn't appreciate high-pressure spray or heat. Designers, as a result, must take added measures to make sure every...

Henry Timken: this month we review the life of Henry Timken, inventor of tapered roller bearings, for inspiration and ideas.(Timken Roller Bearing Axle Co)
February 1, 2006... "To be successful, you must be independent. If you want to lead in any line, you must bring to it independence of thought, unfailing industry, aggression, and indomitable purpose. If you have an idea that you think is right, push it to a...

Problem 284: uplifting experience: don't let this one get a rise out of you.(balloons)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... It happened one Saturday afternoon. Jake Baloney was walking home with a friend, after a full day of pizza and cake eating at another friend's 8th birthday party. All the children received balloons. Suddenly, Jake's friend tells him, "Get a...

Linking it all together.(In Response)
February 1, 2006... I get the connection between your views and industrial issues. And I agree wholeheartedly.

Tesla and EMP.(electromagnetic pulse)(about computer chips)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... EMP (electromagnetic pulse) weapons, a fallout of Tesla's work, are rapidly gaining attention. Essentially, a single missile with a nuclear warhead detonated far outside Earth's atmosphere can damage a high percentage of computer chips over...

Nikola Tesla series.(In Response)
February 1, 2006... I want to thank you for publishing "Waverunner--Part 3." If possible, can you please provide a link with all previously published material on Nikola Tesla? Keep up the good work. Mihajlo Zoranovic Langen Packaging Inc. ...

Waverunner--Part 4.(Nikola Tesla - scientist and inventor)(Biography)
February 1, 2006... In the late 1800s, engineers and inventors were rather likeminded in the way they viewed the forces of nature. Owing to their familiarity with levers, they were inclined to see quantities that acted in proportion to their magnitude, and existed...

Less is more: lift tables used in manufacturing medical components require ample rigidity. In a vertically challenged space, this is hard to achieve, but with special short cylinders, designers are finding a way.(Mechanisms and machines)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... Pneumatic-powered lift tables working with pick-and-place machines must be sufficiently rigid to produce reliable and repeatable staking operations. This ensures precise assembly and overall successful component manufacturing. Suppose a...

Cures for cogging in slotted linear motors.(reduce cogging)
February 1, 2006... Slotted linear motors move with speed and precision, and are raising the bar on linear motion applications. They consist basically of magnets and windings. The magnets bond to an iron plate, forming a magnet-track assembly often called a...

Air it out.(Need for Speed)
February 1, 2006... When motion applications require high speed and linear movement, you may want to consider using pneumatic actuators. Pneumatic actuators use air pressure and flow to create high force and velocity. They are used in a variety of industries, such...

Through thick and thin: solid-state sensor uses sonic waves to measure viscosity.(What's new)
February 1, 2006... A fluid's viscosity, its resistance to flowing, is usually expressed as the ratio of its shear velocity of motion to rotational torque. It's difficult to measure because it's so dependent on temperature and shear rate. Older methods timed how...

Count chocolate run.(What's new)
February 1, 2006... Acoustic viscosity sensors are mainly designed for use with coatings and continuous oil-condition monitoring. However, they can also be used to monitor other fluid products such as chocolate. Chocolate is a non-Newtonian pseudoplastic...

Online tool configures cable.(Gore high flex flat cable)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... A new online tool from W.L. Gore & Associates serves as an interactive design guide that provides step-by-step instructions for configuring Gore high flex flat cable or trackless cable from standard components, with five-day lead times. ...

Mark your calendars.(2006 Industry Summit )(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) 2006 Industry Summit will be held October 26 to 28 at the Boston Marriott Copley Place Hotel. The event will include educational workshops, peer networking forums, one-on-one meetings with...

Industrial automation manufacturer acquires drives company.(Emerson Control Techniques)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... Emerson Control Techniques, St. Louis, acquired Saftronics Inc., Fort Myers, Fla., a manufacturer of drives and drive systems for industrial applications. Saftronics, which serves a variety of industries such as water, HVAC, and mining, has...

Software saves auto manufacturer time.(What's new)
February 1, 2006... A new software package called Kineo Path Planner (KPP) is helping one carmaker optimize its manufacturing operations, saving time in the process. Developed by Kineo C.A.M., Toulouse, France, KPP automatically finds and generates collision-free...

Global business highlights 2006 National Manufacturing Week.(focus global manufacturing trends)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... The 2006 National Manufacturing Week Conference, to be held March 20 to 23 at the Donald E. Stevens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill., will on focus global manufacturing trends and opportunities, their impact on U.S. companies, and possible...

How many phases are enough? Two and five-phase stepmotors share several commonalities; however, the former corrects phase imbalances quicker, while the latter produces much less vibration. So which is better?(Multiphase steppers)
February 1, 2006... A stepmotor's construction and drive scheme determine its step angle, and that, in turn, determines how the motor performs in a particular application. The most prevalent resolution is 1.8[degrees], or 200 step/rev, but it can range up to...

Pneumatic slides.(Pneumatic solutions)
February 1, 2006... Ultra series slides are available with two cylinder options--M-series or ISO/VDMA 6432--for long strokes. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Eight bore sizes from 5/16 to 1 1/16 imperial; and 8 to 25 mm ISO/VDMA * Alignment coupler isolates...

Hygienic actuator.(Pneumatic solutions)
February 1, 2006... HYG guided hygienic actuator provides high-loading capabilities in washdown or liquid environments. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Six sizes from 20 to 63 mm with stroke lengths to 200 mm * Resists water, machining coolant, and other...

Putting the squeeze on: sometimes it's better to throttle power mechanically than with an electric motor drive. Find out why slip clutches might make more sense in your next design.(Mechanical clutches)
February 1, 2006... Most engineers associate slip clutches with their most common application, that of overload protection. But slip clutches also let motors upstream run at a constant rate, to both act as simple drive control and protect motors from excessive...

New! QuickSelect Guide.(Media MART)
February 1, 2006... BishopWisecarver is pleased to announce the new QuickSelect Product Guide. From Actuated Linear and Manual Slide Systems to Precision Ring and Driven Track Systems and Guide Wheel Components, this general overview catalog will simplify the...

Low Profile: LoPro[R] Linear Motion System.(Media MART)
February 1, 2006... LoPro Linear Motion Systems from BishopWisecarver are low profile, pre-engineered modular units consisting of an antifriction slide way, constructed with DualVee[R] Motion Technology and a linear actuator. LoPro is available in four sizes:...

New Andantex 2006 catalog.(Media MART)
February 1, 2006... Andantex USA, the leading provider of high-precision motion control components and systems, introduces our new catalog! Serving machine tool builders, plus the automation, converting & printing industries, as well as manufacturers of high...

Hydraulic dampers.(Media MART)
February 1, 2006... Ace Controls offers a durable line of gas springs for lifting and counterbalancing loads . In addition, Ace hydraulic dampers are the economical choice for solving your automation damping problems. Contact ACE Controls for your free catalog:...

New Pneumatic Gripper catalog.(Media MART)
February 1, 2006... SCHUNK Inc. has a new Pneumatic Gripper catalog available, which includes all 2005 New Product releases. The catalog gives all technical details and drawings of the complete product range of pneumatic grippers and rotary acutators. All...

Spiral Retaining Rings & Wave Springs.(Media MART)
February 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...

Precision mechanical components.(Media MART)
February 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...

Magtrol In-Line Torque Transducers.(Media MART)
February 1, 2006... Magtrol's In-Line Torque Transducers provide precise torque and speed measurement with high noise immunity. Features include Circle 56 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Kohzu America, Inc.(Media MART)
February 1, 2006... 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...

Linear Module Actuator.(Media MART)
February 1, 2006... 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...

Motion control solutions.(Media MART)
February 1, 2006... SEPAC's catalogue of motion control solutions includes spring-set and large spring-set power-off brakes, permanent magnet power-off brakes, multiple disc clutches and brakes, tooth clutches and brakes, and spring engaged clutches and brakes...

Lee Controls Linear Ball Bearings.(Media MART)
February 1, 2006... New literature describes the Lee Controls line of Linear Ball Bearings. Available in closed, open or sealed configurations. All steel construction closed Linear Ball Bearings or open with or without sealed Linear Ball Bearings with plastic...

Fixed-power beam expanders.(Product Spotlight: Machine vision)
February 1, 2006... Family of beam expanders offers high-performance optical designs packaged in a precise opto-mechanical platform. FEATURES & BENEFITS * 3, 5, 10, 15, or 20 X beam expansion power * Two full rotations of focus knurl provide smooth...

Machine vision systems.(Product Spotlight: Machine vision)
February 1, 2006... NetSight II M systems are form and fit compatible with other versions, but deliver more than three times the performance, with similar image processing capabilities as PC desktop machines. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Powered by 1.6 GHz...

Progressive scan cameras.(Product Spotlight: Machine vision)
February 1, 2006... CS8560D (1/3-in. CCD) and CS8570D (1/2-in. CCD) progressive scan monochrome video cameras are designed for part and presence inspection as well as semiconductor assembly, including bonding and pick-and-place. FEATURES & BENEFITS * 60...

Texture inspection system.(Product Spotlight: Machine vision)
February 1, 2006... PC Eyebot inspection mode saves patterns or texture features learned during product presentations to the camera. FEATURES & BENEFITS * User-programmable sensitivity levels; user sets pass or fail objects per criteria * Provides...

Vision software.(Product Spotlight: Machine vision)
February 1, 2006... NI Vision 8 Development Module contains software tools that improve system efficiency and increase quality control in manufacturing processes. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Optimized for programming such as NI LabView, Microsoft C++, Visual...

Brushless motor controllers.(Products)
February 1, 2006... DECV 50/5 controller provides low-cost velocity control for Hall-feedback motors up to 250 W. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Four-quadrant control * Speed range: 1,000 to 6,000 rpm (2-pole motors) * 0 to 5-V signal controls speed and...

Motion supervisor.(Products)
February 1, 2006... Maestro multi-axis motion supervisor permits synchronized motion control, interpolated 2D/3D, and serves as a sequencer controlling event-handling of axes and I/O as a CANopen master. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Offers network management and...

Phase rotation indicator.(Products)
February 1, 2006... The 9040 phase rotation indicator measures phase rotation on three-phase electrical supplies that feed motors, drives, and electrical systems. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Quickly and easily determines correct connections and phase sequence...

Control system.(Products)
February 1, 2006... Acopos-series drive systems include new features for a more reliable electronic line shaft. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Can switch to an alternate axis on the fly in case of error in the leading axis * Positioning data communicated over...

Motion controllers.(Products)
February 1, 2006... Accelera Series motion controllers handle from one to eight axes of servo or stepper motion. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Based on 32-bit Risc processor with DSP functionality * User configurable for stepper or servomotor control; maximum...

Photoelectric sensors.(Products)
February 1, 2006... O5 series photoelectric sensors offer extremely long sensing ranges and simple setup. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Sensing range: 1.8 m (background suppression); 7 m (polarized retro-reflective); 20 m (thru-beam pair) * Visible red light...

Linear actuators.(Products)
February 1, 2006... DMES electromechanical linear actuators are used alongside MTR-DCI motors with integrated positioning controller. FEATURES & BENEFITS * High load capacity and mechanical torques with feed force to 3,000 N * Lead screw is...

Rodless actuators.(Products)
February 1, 2006... B3W electric belt drive actuators accommodate heavy loads and handle high moment loads with consistent, smooth operation. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Offer high wear resistance, repeatable accuracy, and high load capacities * Heavy-duty...

Heavy-duty belt drives.(Products)
February 1, 2006... The 113E series belt drives include steel helical gears with reengineered motor for high efficiency and performance. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Deliver up to 0.75 hp * Available as single (115 V) or three-phase (230, 460, and 575...

Machine vibration monitor.(Products)
February 1, 2006... Allen-Bradley's XM-720 vibration monitor combines versatility and easy-to-use features for a complete monitoring and protection system. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Packaged solution includes measurement module, three relays, front panel...

Pure sine inverters.(Products)
February 1, 2006... AEP-700 series of 700 W pure sine wave inverters deliver clean output that powers sensitive loads and improves ac equipment performance. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Inputs of 12, 24, and 48 Vdc; outputs in 115 or 230 Vac (regulated within 4...

Thermoplastic servo couplings.(Products)
February 1, 2006... Servomax TX1 series of molded thermoplastic insert couplings feature reduced mass and moment of inertia, as well as high chemical compatibility and heat tolerance. FEATURES & BENEFITS * For torques from 2 Nm to 660 Nm and bores of 8 to...

Plastic belt supports.(Products)
February 1, 2006... Range of plastic belt support structures and guides can be configured into new and existing FDA/USDA compliant conveyor systems and process equipment. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Made of UHMW or HT-UHMW for low friction and high-wear...

Encoder connectivity.(Products)
February 1, 2006... New 8-pin M12 eurofast connector works with Kubler incremental encoders for quick and easy connectivity in demanding environments. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Cordset has three LEDs in translucent right-angle connector for channels A, B, and...

Brush dc motors.(Products)
February 1, 2006... Pittman series 6000 22 mm brush-commutated, iron-core dc motors suit applications requiring the power of an ironless core motor. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Maximum torque of 10.2 oz-in. and speeds up to 8,550 rpm * Three lengths...

Miniature linear-stepping actuator.(Products)
February 1, 2006... Size 17 miniature stepping actuator is composed of a hybrid stepmotor and internal lead screw cut directly into the shaft. FEATURES & BENEFITS * M5 X 2.0 lead pitch develops linear force of 13.5 lb * 0.4[micro]in. step size;...

Shaft-mount planetary reducers.(Products)
February 1, 2006... Hollow shaft-mounted planetary gears provide an alternative to traditional helical shaft-mounted reducers. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Self-aligning gear train has at least six teeth in contact per reduction to share load equally *...

Motion control couplings.(Products)
February 1, 2006... Motion control couplings accurately transfer rotation between two shafts, compensating for parallel, angular, and axial misalignment. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Available in many styles: beam, Oldham, mini-jaw, bellows, mini-soft,...

Temperature sensors.(Products)
February 1, 2006... T-GAGE temperature sensors are passive, non-contact devices that detect objects hotter or colder than the ambient condition and trigger an output. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Operate from 10 to 30 Vdc with solid-state bipolar outputs--one...

Thrust collars.(Products)
February 1, 2006... Thrust collar assemblies offer up to 3/8 in. of axial load adjustment along the shaft. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Male-female connecting hub; one side is fixed, the other side moves using knurled O.D. or flat wrench * Eight standard...

Blog alert--motion means business.(MSD on the Web)
February 1, 2006... I recently had a chuckle over a cartoon showing a guy digging a hole while surrounded by shovels held up by folding stands. The caption explained how the new "self-standing" implements helped the company cut its workforce by 75% without...