Motion System Design articles from July 2006

Motion System Design archives from July 2006

Shaking free of vibration.(Design by objective)
July 1, 2006... Vibrations stem from a behavior that's inherent to all mechanical structures. Under load, all structures slightly deform and act springlike, causing motion to ripple to and fro as energy waffles between kinetic and potential. Vibrations are as...

Getting machine vision in focus: a vision system requires all of its parts operating properly in order to function. The lens, however, is the most critical element, and its selection the most important step in designing a system that works.(Imaging)
July 1, 2006... Designing a machine vision system is new territory for many engineers. Fortunately, it's a fairly systematic process, beginning with selecting a lens. In a machine vision system, the lens' job is to gather light and focus it onto a sensing...

Winner of problem #287.(Fun with fundamentals)
July 1, 2006... The winner of Problem #287, "Mask-a-raid," Tony Gatica of M3 Design Inc., Round Rock, Tex. He claims the grand prize, a USB digital I/O device from National Instruments Corp., Austin, Tex. Congratulations, Tony!

Problem 289: feelin' the heat.(Fun with fundamentals)
July 1, 2006... It's a warm, sunny Saturday afternoon and another academic year has officially come to a close at IOU University. Finagle J. Wurme is celebrating by inviting his Thermodynamics class over for a barbeque. The picnic tables are out, covered...

Win a spectrum analyzer.(Fun with fundamentals)
July 1, 2006... The winner of this month's problem receives a 2.4 GHz spectrum analyzer--the Wi-Spy--from MetaGeek LLC, Boise, Idaho. It tracks and records wave frequencies that can interfere with a wireless network. For additional information, call (208)...

2.4 GHz Spectrum Analyzer Features.(Fun with fundamentals)
July 1, 2006... * Troubleshoots interference from Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n), microwave ovens, cordless phones, and Bluetooth * Wi-Spy software displays many wave types, stores real-time data, and analyzes current, average, and maximum signal strengths *...

Wedging out shock.(Zimmer GmbH)
July 1, 2006... Well-designed stops make machines agile, in turn boosting production. Where brakes and electronics are overkill for deceleration, using a simple shock absorber is one option. But traditional absorbers can reflect shock back into machines: Their...

New miniature slide system with high load capabilities.(Media MART)
July 1, 2006... MinVee[TM] is a low profile, miniature slide system consisting of a 4-wheel carriage riding a double edge hardened steel track. The 2" x 2" carriage plate features new integral bushing and stud shaft wheels, available in steel or polymer. The...

Track roller & cam follower solutions.(Media MART)
July 1, 2006... Intech Power-Core[TM] Track Rollers and Cam Followers feature quiet, easy motion, high resistance to flat development, no rail wear, high load and shock capacity. Suitable for wash down and harsh environments. Proprietary thermal bearing...

Lee controls linear ball bearings.(Media MART)
July 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...

Catalog CD.(Media MART)
July 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...

DL series linear actuators.(Media MART)
July 1, 2006... DL series linear actuators offer the benefits of space-saving design, fast, simple assembly, long life and competitive price. The rigid enclosed aluminum box structure provides a compact envelope that incorporates the linear bearing drive...

Compact rugged I/O station.(Media MART)
July 1, 2006... With TURCK's FDN20 I/O station, you now have a fast, easy and exceptionally flexible solution to connect every pushbutton to a DeviceNet[TM] network. This 6 page color brochure contains all the detailed dimension drawing and application...

Edmund Optics expands catalog offerings.(Media MART)
July 1, 2006... Edmund Optics expands its optics, components and imaging product lines with over 7600 products and more than 300 new product solutions including EO[TM] designed High Resolution MVO Line Scan Lenses, ReflX[TM] Reflective Microscope Objectives,...

New catalog from Dynetic Systems.(Media MART)
July 1, 2006... A new and exciting RoHS Compliant product line of Brushed and Brushless DC Motors is now available in our new catalog. Dynetic Systems offers both standard and custom design motors, which are all manufactured in the USA. Dynetic Systems, 19128...

On the fast track.(Need for speed)
July 1, 2006... Belts and chains have unique benefits and limitations. Those differences become more apparent in applications that require fast motion as part of their operation. To shed additional light on the topic, we talked to industry experts, asking...

Pneumatics on the upswing: air gives riders a thrill at amusement park.(What's new)
July 1, 2006... Whoosh. Whoosh. The sound, accompanied by a high-pitched shriek as cables move rapidly upon a cable loop system, is somewhat reminiscent of that made by a windmill's blades as they slice through the air. No power is generated,...

Metrology tool barely leaves a footprint.(Industry focus: Semiconductor manufacturing)
July 1, 2006... Nanometrics, a Milpitas, Calif. company that specializes in semiconductor metrology systems, recently faced the challenge of integrating a robotic stage into one of its designs. Its initial approach, based on past collaborations with third...

Expanding bladder uses: simpler is better, especially in OEM designs. Inflatable bladder actuators reduce complexity in short-stroke motion control applications.(Pneumatic components)
July 1, 2006... In the broad arena of motion control, bladder-type inflatable actuators fill a limited niche: Short stroke, wide area, high or constant-force motion. That said, when bladders are appropriate, they provide motion more cost effectively than any...

Locking slide cylinder.(Pneumatic solutions)
July 1, 2006... Non-rotating, high-powered thruster achieves strokes to 20 in. Features & benefits * One-piece end caps house twin 2 1/2 in. bore cylinders for power * Eliminates deflection or drift within cylinder bodies * Locking mechanism...

Rolling diaphragm cylinders.(Pneumatic solutions)
July 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...

Two-stage telescoping cylinder.(Pneumatic solutions)
July 1, 2006... Double-acting, 2-stage telescoping cylinder requires less space than other cylinders. Features & benefits * Rated for pressures to 125 psi with 3/4, 1 1/2, and 2 1/2in. effective bore sizes * Strokes to 60 in. *...

Index drives.(Products)
July 1, 2006... Three new indexing ring drives accommodate various automated machines and equipment with larger through-holes. Features & benefits * Machines' outer periphery is free for operator access and additional workstations * Direct...

Brushless dc micromotors.(Products)
July 1, 2006... Series 1525 BRC and 3153 BRC brushless dc micromotors feature integrated electronics and RoHS-compliance. Features & benefits * 1525 has 15-mm diameter, 25-mm length; achieves torque of 1.8 mNm and speeds to 16,000 rpm * 3153 has...

Torque limiter.(Products)
July 1, 2006... Mechanical torque limiter isolates the driving from the driven elements within milliseconds for zero backlash and adjustability. Features & benefits * Set to lowest torque within range * Precise overload protection * Low...

Stepper driver.(Products)
July 1, 2006... Dual-axis EZHR17EN controller and driver delivers precise positioning, acceleration, and velocity to 3 in. or smaller stepmotors. Features & benefits * Measures 1.6 x 1.6 in. * Provides up to 1 A drive current for one axis...

Microdrives.(Products)
July 1, 2006... Brush and brushless dc motors are compact, efficient, and durable. Features & benefits * Ceramic shafts in RE models eliminate magnetic detent and promote rapid acceleration due to low inertia, electromagnetic interference, and...

Intelligent drives.(Spotlight: Variable frequency drives)
July 1, 2006... Telemecanique Altivar variable speed ac drives feature dual microprocessors and motor control algorithms for high torque and speed regulation. Features & benefits * Control motors from 0.5 to 700 hp * Common user interfaces, I/O...

Dual chassis drives.(Spotlight: Variable frequency drives)
July 1, 2006... Dual SCR chassis drives deliver up to 11.5 and 1 hp combined between the two motors offer two operating modes. Features & benefits * Maximum 5/8 hp * Single-phase input of 115 Vac * Independent mode lets users vary control of...

Ac drives.(Spotlight: Variable frequency drives)
July 1, 2006... Accel 500 family of ac drives is available in V/Hz, sensorless vector, and closed-loop vector designs from to 2,300 hp. Features & benefits * Support 208 to 690 V and are UL, C-UL, and CE listed * Configured for common bus...

Drive analysis software.(Spotlight: Variable frequency drives)
July 1, 2006... Analyzer software is offered as a free download and estimates harmonics, current, and voltage harmonic distortion under many supply and filtering conditions. Features & benefits * Indicators show IEEE 519-1992 standard compliance ...

Vector drives.(Spotlight: Variable frequency drives)
July 1, 2006... SM vector drives feature high starting torque, autotuning, advanced low-speed control, and dynamic speed regulation. Features & benefits * Power range up to 20 hp * Four operation modes--V/Hz, enhanced V/Hz, vector speed, and...

This land is your land.(In the loop)
July 1, 2006... Former Vice President Al Gore will never make a movie about it. Hollywood activists, singers, and songwriters will never raise their trained voices to stop it. And our "please everyone" politicians want nothing to do with it. Meanwhile, the...

The truth about Tesla.(In Response)(Nikola Tesla)
July 1, 2006... It was refreshing to read your six-part "Waverunner" articles on Nikola Tesla. While it's sad so many people have never heard of this incredible genius, it's also puzzling why many are still perpetuating untruths about him. Calling Tesla...