Motion System Design articles from January 2006

Motion System Design archives from January 2006

New sensor design resonates with linear motion.(What's new)
January 1, 2006... A new type of linear position transducer combines inductive coupling with resonant circuit principles to resolve micron-level movements over a sensing range of several feet. Developed by Balluff Inc., Florence, Ky., the non-contact measuring...

Purdue develops "metamaterial" for better optics and communications.(What's new)
January 1, 2006... Purdue University engineers have created a material with a negative index of refraction in the wavelength of light, paving the way for better communications and imaging technologies. The material consists of tiny parallel gold nanorods that...

Taking the lead: leadscrews were once relegated to less-critical applications as a cheap substitute for ballscrews. Now they're finding their own niche.(Linear motion)
January 1, 2006... Leadscrews consist of a screw and its riding nut, which is wedged forward as the screw turns. Originally, leadscrews were assembled using low-quality screws from other fastener or screw designs so that a simple, one-piece nut only provided...

Electrifying motors: select an electric motor that maximizes reliability and efficiency for your operation.(Motor efficiency)
January 1, 2006... Premium efficient motors were introduced in the early 1980s and employed better lamination, lower-loss cooling fans, and more active material than previous models. These improvements helped in many ways. For instance, better lamination reduces...

Motor control.(electric motor control algorithms)
January 1, 2006... Since the mid 1990s, motor control algorithms have grown increasingly complex, driven by several factors. Among the most important are lower energy consumption and better functionality. One example is reversing the direction of an ac induction...

Getting your bearings.(Need for speed)(sliding speed and design of dry bearings )
January 1, 2006... Bearings have been used for thousands of years - styled from wood, metal, and now plastic. These rolling components are critical in motion control applications, assisting in sliding, turning, and rolling motion of machine components. Using...

Operation: conveying: advancing motion control with conveyers.(Motion in packaging)
January 1, 2006... How does a typical conveying application work in a packaging setting? Typically, conveyors fall into two main camps: synchronous and nonsynchronous. Synchronous conveyors provide indexed movement of parts or products from station to...

Things to consider when you need to optimize efficiency.(Waste not, want not)
January 1, 2006... Motion systems, in the most basic sense, convert energy from one mode or form to another. In the process, some energy is rendered unusable, typically lost as heat. In some cases, as in mobile or battery-powered systems, concern for this sort of...

Applying encoders.(msd101)
January 1, 2006... Encoders provide velocity, acceleration, direction, and position feedback to motion systems. Two basic types of feedback are absolute and incremental. Absolute encoders report unique position information at all locations and are unaffected by...

Straightening out motion: for cutting, slicing, and printing applications, it's important to keep motion precise. But tables never have perfect geometry. That's why a different approach--correcting machine strokes with forgiving bearings--is more effective and economical.(Mechanisms and machines)(linear bearings mechanical property)
January 1, 2006... Linear bearings reduce the friction of straight movements. But here the sliders are put to another clever use: They adjust to and absorb the forces resulting from misalignment. Say one rail of a 10-ft.-long table is assembled several...

Fiber optic cables.(Spotlight: Cables & Cable Carriers)
January 1, 2006... Fiber optic cables offer high performance, speed, and reliability for communication networks, are UL-listed, and tested against Telcordia, ICEA, and TIA/EIA standards. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Fiber counts of 1 to 215 multimode,...

Band track cable carriers.(Spotlight: Cables & Cable Carriers)
January 1, 2006... Band track cable and hose carriers consist of a single-piece extrusion to eliminate noise, wear, and vibration in link-style carriers. FEATURES & BENEFITS * No moving parts decrease wear rates * Quiet, smooth, and clean running...

Shielded PVC cable.(Spotlight: Cables & Cable Carriers)
January 1, 2006... Life Line control 200 C shielded continuous-bending, hi-flex PVC control cable for cable and hose carriers ensures performance and longer cycle life. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Short-pitch, stranded conductor cores available in 16, 17, and...

Control and signal cables.(Spotlight: Cables & Cable Carriers)
January 1, 2006... Unitronic 300 and 300 Y (shielded version) low voltage control and signal cables are lead-free for internal and external wiring of OEM equipment. FEATURES & BENEFITS * UL type PLTC, UL CMG, CSA CMG, NOM, and CE approved; meet Class 1,...

Machine-tool cable.(Spotlight: Cables & Cable Carriers)
January 1, 2006... Chainflex CF170 is a low-cost continuous-flex cable for machine tools that resists oils and cooling and cutting fluids. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Available from 20 to 8 AWG * Up to 30 conductors available * PVC and halogen-free...

AC motor cabling.(Spotlight: Cables & Cable Carriers)
January 1, 2006... Expanded line of variable frequency drive (VFD) cables for industrial ac motor drives includes five large AWG symmetrical VFD cables and five new signal brake pair VFD cables. FEATURES & BENEFITS * 1 to 4/0 AWG cables feature three...

Miniature couplings.(Products)
January 1, 2006... Beam and Oldham couplings are suitable for micro-component applications. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Beam couplings in 20 sizes with O.D. down to 3/8 in. and bores to 3/32 in. * Oldham couplings in seven sizes of set or clamp style with...

Linear actuators.(Products)
January 1, 2006... Z26000 captive actuator line offers an extended 31-mm stroke. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Resolution from 0.0127 to 0.1016 mm per step * Rare-earth magnets, to 4.5 kg of force * Reduces components count * Suitable for low or...

Fixed bearing mounts.(Products)
January 1, 2006... Heavy duty bearing mounts accommodate most ACME and ballscrews. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Internal bearings support both radial and axial load components * Suit applications requiring high speed and thrust loads * Custom mount...

Electro-optic proximity sensors.(Products)
January 1, 2006... World-Beam QS30 series prox sensors eliminate voltage, programming, and monitoring concerns. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Accept wide range of dc as well as ac supply voltages * Available in opposed, diffused, retroreflective, polarized...

Servo conversion card.(Products)
January 1, 2006... The MPA-CON-2 digital conversion card is a quick and easy upgrade to next generation servo drives. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Employs existing cables, encoder signals, I/O, and resolver input * Sinusoidal motor commutation reduces motor...

Ultrasonic sensors.(Products)
January 1, 2006... With a one-button teach function, this miniature, self-contained ultrasonic sensor is also easy to use. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Sensing range: 300 mm; resolution: 0.2 mm * Output: analog or digital * Operating modes: switch...

Backlash-free safety couplings.(Products)
January 1, 2006... Modular design lets users combine basic elements to create application-specific coupling solutions. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Backlash-free torque transmission * Disengagement torque adjusts with excellent repeatability in 2 to 4 msec...

Rotary encoders.(Products)
January 1, 2006... H38 explosion-proof rotary feedback devices are the first encoders MSHA-certified for underground coal and gas mine environments. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Provide accurate, reliable position and speed measurements for shaft elevators, ore...

Coreless dc motors.(Products)
January 1, 2006... Motors offer rapid acceleration and deceleration without having to make concessions for a bulky motor. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Produce 0.5 to 50 W of mechanical power from a 3 to 48-Vdc source * Frame sizes: 16, 20, 22, 28, and 36 mm...

Linear actuators.(Products)
January 1, 2006... With a sleek and compact profile, CRES high-thrust rod actuators fit easily in tight places and can move heavy loads. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Maximum stroke: 130 mm; force: 196 to 490 N; speed: 15 to 55 mm/sec * Low-voltage (12-Vdc)...

Hollow-shaft encoders.(Products)
January 1, 2006... ERA 4000 rotary-angle bearingless ring encoders present a low moment of inertia, offering extreme accuracy for demanding applications. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Precision stems from a scale drum with grating periods as fine as 20 [micro]m...

Linear displacement transducers.(Products)
January 1, 2006... GEMCO 953 Series Vmax LDTs measure tiny movements down to 0.001 in. over an active measuring range up to 300 in. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Analog output signal (0 to 10 Vdc or 4 to 20 mA) updates measurement every millisecond * Wide...

Miniature air cylinders.(Pneumatic solutions)
January 1, 2006... Long-life linear actuators are corrosion-resistant and available as 1-in. bores in brass or stainless steel with a clevis-style tail. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Piston rod with two composite bushings in nose and tail assembly supports...

Large bore cylinders.(Pneumatic solutions)
January 1, 2006... HD large bore cylinders offer long life and performance in abusive conditions by combining NFPA dimensional interchangeability and quality components. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Available in 5, 8, 10, and 12-in. sizes * Constructed...

All charged up.(Brushing up)
January 1, 2006... A capacitor is an electrical circuit element that consists of a pair of metal plates separated by a dielectric, an electrically insulating material. Capacitors are so named because of their capacity to store charge. Forcing electrical current...

Capacitor construction.(Brushing up)
January 1, 2006... After resistors, capacitors are the most commonly purchased passive components. They are classified as either electrostatic or electrolytic. Electrostatic capacitors contain dielectrics made of plastic film, ceramic, glass, or mica....

Oskar Erich Peter: this month we review the life of Oskar Erich Peter, inventor of the frictional locking device, for inspiration and ideas.(Did you know)(Oskar Erich Peter speaks about kis personal life and machinery keys developed by him)
January 1, 2006... Oskar Erich Peter was born in 1898 in Berlin, Germany. During World War I he served as fighter pilot in the German Air Force. Surviving air battles and crashes, Peter developed a willingness to take risks, and faith in the future. After the...

Plymouth walk.(forces are applied horizontally and neglect friction)(Brief article)
January 1, 2006... Finals week has ended at IOU, and Finagle J. Wurme and his three roommies are in town in his '59 Fury for the big Friday night cruise. One after another the freshly polished automobiles rumble down Main Street, calling for attention from...

DualVee motion technology.(Media MART)
January 1, 2006... BishopWisecarver continues to be the leader in innovative guide wheel solutions. Our complete range of patented DualVee(r) wheels, bushings, and track is ideal for applications that demand low maintenance in critical and extreme environments....

Hysteresis devices.(Media MART)
January 1, 2006... Magtrol, Inc. manufactures Hysteresis Brakes and Clutches for precise tension and torque control in the textile, coil winding, printing, packaging, wire and cable industries. Producing torque strictly through a magnetic air gap, Magtrol's...

New technology for cable carriers.(Media MART)
January 1, 2006... Introducing Bandtrac, the newest innovation in co-extrusion technology. Eliminates noise, wear and vibration inherent to link-style systems. An affordable solution to demanding applications, Bandtrac requires no additional components outside of...

Motors, gearmotors and drives.(Media MART)
January 1, 2006... LEESON's Catalog 1050 offers detailed information and specifications on thousands of ratings of industrial-duty motors, gearmotors and drives--available from stock warehouses throughout the United States, North America and the world. Products...

New! QuickSelect Guide.(Media MART)
January 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...

Kohzu, Japan's premiere manufacturer of precision motion instruments now offers its comprehensive line of rotary.(Media MART)
January 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...

Hi-flex continuous-bending cables.(Media MART)
January 1, 2006... Specially designed from the ground up for use in cable and hose carriers ensuring superior performance and longer cycle life in continuous bending hi-flex applications. Optimized stranding types, hi-flex shielding, and outstanding...

BiSlide[R] positioning system.(Media MART)
January 1, 2006... BiSlides are a modular system that enables you to quickly and easily create complete single or multi-axis, high accuracy positioning systems. Travel range: 5" - 80". Size: 3.4"W x 2.6"H. Durable, low cost motorized and manual, BiSlides are...

A new year in motion.(In the loop)(Editorial)
January 1, 2006... We interrupt this editorial series on the life of Nikola Tesla to bring you an important announcement. As you know, this is the first issue of 2006. In it, you will find several new departments and sections designed to help you stay ahead of...

Insightful editorials.(In Response)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2006... Just a quick thanks for the insightful editorials you pen for Motion System Design. You never shy away from shedding the light of day on whatever needs exposure, and you do so in a professional way. I have especially enjoyed the last two on...

Making waves.(reports of internet search)(Editorial)(Brief article)
January 1, 2006... Great article, but how can I get to Part 1? I went to Motion System Design's website and searched for Waverunner, Tesla and tried locating it in the archive, but no luck. Maybe you can add links to these previous articles on your website. I'm...

Watching our Ps and Qs.(In Response)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2006... Thanks for your excellent article titled, "Not in my house." I completely agree with everything you wrote, but was shocked you were allowed to publish it. I work for a "PC" company, and we have to watch everything we say and do. I encourage you...

Help wanted.(In Response)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2006... I am working on a project where I have to measure the linear position of an air driven piston (and also the pressures). I was pleased to discover your article on the web and am very interested in the concept of using a magnet and transducer to...

www.motionsystemdesign.com.(latest technology)(Brief article)
January 1, 2006... Click on Current Issue for in-depth information on motors, bearings, linear motion, controllers, and sensors. Click on Issue Archive to browse past features; classic issues of the popular department Brushing Up are also warehoused to pass on to...