Motion System Design articles from June 2003

Motion System Design archives from June 2003

Spammed I am.(In the Loop)(anti-spam legislation)(Column)
June 1, 2003... When looking through e-mail, I am often reminded of a Monty Python skit about a guy at a restaurant, where everything on the menu contains canned meat, otherwise known as Spam. Selections include Spam and eggs; eggs and Spam; Spam, eggs and...

Beneficial ... or spectacular?(In Response)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2003... You put together some interesting statistics about how highway fatalities could be reduced by implementing various changes and improvements to our roads. If you could actually implement all the improvements listed (and forgive some errors in my...

Asbestos is still legal in U.S.(In Response)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2003... I just read the article Creating Friction (February 2003) and noticed the comment about the ban on asbestos going into effect the end of 2003. I thought the New Orleans Federal District Court struck down the Asbestos Regulations some years ago....

Let's not repeat history.(In Response)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2003... I just read In the Loop. Thanks for your comments. I am of the opinion that no matter how many people are "in favor of peace," there will always be some who are not, and, in fact, are in favor of doing great evil. My hope is that there will...

'Create the Future' winner announced: winning design has application for golf, utility, and small electric vehicles.(What's New)
June 1, 2003... Emhart Teknologies, New Haven, Conn., announced the winners of its nationwide "Create the Future" design contest at the National Design Engineering Show in Chicago. "The response to the Emhart 'Create the Future' contest was incredible,"...

European visionaries: define next-generation packaging machinery.(What's New)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... A who's who of European packaging machine builders participated in the Future of Packaging Engineering Forum, hosted by automation supplier ELAU AG at its headquarters in Marktheidenfeld, Germany. The 30 attending design-engineering...

Alliance helps small linear manufacturers.(What's New)(the Precision Alliance is a group of high quality manufacturers in the automation industry)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... The Precision Alliance, Ft. Mill, S.C., is an American and European technical sales and marketing alliance of a few, relatively small, high-quality manufacturers that have aligned themselves to provide a complete linear product line for the...

Laser tracker measures for rocket launch.(What's New)
June 1, 2003... The Faro Laser Tracker, built by Faro Technologies Inc., Lake Mary, Fla., played a key role in the Boeing Co.'s Delta IV rocket launch on March 10 that successfully deployed into space the first satellite for the U.S. Air Force's Evolved...

Small businesses have access to NASA technology.(What's New)
June 1, 2003... An inventor/entrepreneur in Florida, a dance studio in New York, an emergency-shelter manufacturer in New Mexico, and an aquatic aeration company in Texas may not seem to have much in common. All four businesses, however, along with 800 others,...

Electric joins hydraulic to save energy.(What's New)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Moog, East Aurora, N.Y., has introduced the PowerShot injection system. It combines electric and hydraulic technologies in a compact unit that can be installed easily and adopted to a wide variety of force, speed, and torque requirements. The...

Fair and seminar schedule.(What's New)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Oriental Motor USA Corp., Torrance, Calif., has announced its 2003 fair and seminar schedule. These information-sharing events provide technical training and the latest advances in the motion control industry, hands-on workshops, personal...

Wireless IA on display at Hannover Fair: bluetooth-enabled products expected to hit commercial market this year.(What's New)(Industrial Automation)
June 1, 2003... Parker Hannifin, the Cleveland-based supplier of motion and control systems and technologies, demonstrated a number of new wireless industrial automation products at the 2003 Hannover Fair in Germany. The products featured Bluetooth...

Precision gearhead torque rating for automation and robots: advanced learning at your desk, at your pace / multi-part series.(Course Audit)
June 1, 2003... Lesson 2 Topics of discussion: * Ferrous material fatigue * Gearbox torque rating The basic limiting factor for electrical devices is prolonged exposure to high temperatures which deteriorate insulation layers, boundary...

Advances in digital servo drive motor protection: software can help digital servo drives better protect motors by estimating actual internal winding temperatures--using only terminal measurements.
June 1, 2003... In the last several years, many digital servo drive producers have developed features to prolong the life of both the rotary and linear motors they are paired with. At one time, a simple thermal switch or thermalcouple embedded in the motor's...

The pulse of the industry.
June 1, 2003... Recent component-maker mergers and acquisitions have shaken the industry, leaving many to wonder what the effects will be. Will designers find it easier to get what they need? How will companies ensure their purchasing process remains seamless?...

Taking back stage: rollers rely on lubricants and supporting bearing hardware for smooth operation. So how do you leverage that when your "quiet" bearings act up?(Bearings, lubes & seals: special report)
June 1, 2003... There are two primary styles of ball spacing technology. The first style uses plastic pieces to separate the balls. The second uses a one-piece plastic retaining belt with ball cups. Both technologies reduce metallic noise and minimize...

Clutches and brakes.(Productivity Forum)
June 1, 2003... Clutches get loads turning, and brakes stop them. But how do you keep clutches from stopping and brakes from starting? To find the answers, the editors of Motion System Design conducted a survey among industry experts, asking for their feedback...

Newton's garage.
June 1, 2003... A breakthrough A tool needing no sharpening developed by the Nondestructive Evaluation and Advanced Actuators special lab of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is changing the way drilling gets done. Called the ultrasonic/sonic driller/corer...

It's a balancing act: a new bearing eliminates fan vibration and noise problems.(Design by objective: vibration and noise control)
June 1, 2003... When you enter a theater on a warm summer night to enjoy a concert, you expect the air circulating inside to be cool, and the sounds you hear to come from the musicians on stage. You don't expect noises generated by the air-conditioning units...

Signed, sealed, delivered: scanning platform demands simplicity and strength from its control.(Design by objective: vibration and noise control)(Marathon Norco Aerospace Miniature Rollnut)
June 1, 2003... Imaging Business Machines (IBML) is a manufacturer of total scanning solutions for commercial applications. The company's imaging platforms are used in the banking, financial services, insurance, healthcare, legal, pharmaceutical, and...

You've got mail.(Connectivity)
June 1, 2003... Receiving an e-mail alert from your motor drive system is now possible, thanks to a new intelligent Ethernet module that connects drives to the Internet. Called NETA-01, the Ethernet module works with any ABB drive that provides a fiber-optic...

Transducers for DeviceNet.(Sensor Connectivity)
June 1, 2003... A new series of rotary and linear position transducers from Celesco Transducer Products Inc., Chatsworth, Calif., accommodates DeviceNet-enabled networks. The sensors transmit 16-bit absolute position data over a high-speed network directly to...

Synch up with SynqNet.(Drive Interface)
June 1, 2003... The Kollmorgen division of Danaher Motion has added SynqNet to its ServoStar drive family, a multi-axis amplifier platform. Designed by Motion Engineering Inc., SynqNet is an all-digital motion control interface for connections between...

Control your drives online.(Software)
June 1, 2003... New ac drive software tools are available online from Baseblock Software Corp. The Windows-based software lets users of ac variable frequency drives configure, start up, tune, and diagnose any drive or drive system. Built-in features that make...

Confidential study.
June 1, 2003... Respond by July 1st and win! All responses received by June 30, 2003 will be entered into a drawing to receive a Notebook. Dear Motion System Design Reader, We need your help to continue improving Motion System Design's Handbook,...

Right-angle gearbox.(Gearmotor Warehouse)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... SPECS Rating: to 250 in.-lb Speed: to 180 rpm Voltage: 12 to 180 Vdc FEATURES * 10:1 to 92.7:1 ratios * Bevel gears transmit power * Higher torque saves power consumption, weight, cost * Shaft diameters to...

Helical planetary gearheads.(Gearmotor Warehouse)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... FEATURES * HeliCrown gear tooth * Low-friction viton output seals * Oil lubrication replaces synthetic grease * Output seal cover prevents leakage * Magnetic drain plugs * Lower operating temperatures Bayside...

Large industrial gears.(Gearmotor Warehouse)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... FEATURES * MC Compact Series; 53,000 to 575,000 lb-in. * P Series; 212,000 to 3,938,000 lb-in. * M Series; 53,000 to 1,593,000 lb-in. * CN Series; 26,000 to 5,313,000 lb-in. * Q Series; 318,000 to 78,900,000 lb-in. *...

Helical gearmotors.(Gearmotor Warehouse)(Bonfiglioli USA)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... FEATURES * Compact for easier installation * Greater efficiency for energy savings * Sizes 11, 21, 31 available in cast aluminum * 30% increase in available ratios * Modular line provides quick configuration ...

Miniature gearhead.(Gearmotor Warehouse)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... SPECS Torque: 5 lb-in. (rated); 24 lb-in. (maximum) Ratio: 30:1, 50:1, 100:1 FEATURES * Delivers 3 arc-min positional accuracy * Flange output * Input provides direct connection to any motor * 22 x 22 x 17mm ...

Yes, we need a manufacturing base.(From the desk of the Publisher)(US economic trends)(Editorial)
June 1, 2003... The debate over whether or not America needs to remain a strong manufacturing nation has been going on for at least two decades. On one side are economists who claim the United States does not need brick-and-mortar factories. They say we can...

The Cold War is heating up again.(From the desk of the Publisher)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Here is something you won't read in your local newspaper but was pipelined to me from inside the Beltway of our nation's capitol. Among the big losers in the Iraq war are the Russians. An unpublicized fact is that the Russians designed...

Matched hysteresis brakes.(Motion Marketplace)
June 1, 2003... SPECS Rating: up to 1,750 oz-in. Speed: 20,000 rpm Intermittent load: to 2,400 W FEATURES * Torque vs current matched to within +/-1% * Control from single sensor or open loop setup * Torque is independent of...

Electronic drive.(Motion Marketplace)
June 1, 2003... FEATURES * Meets IEEE 519-1992 standard * 18-pulse ac drive reduces harmonic distortion * No external chokes or filters * Minimizes electronic interference * Available in a single NEMA 12 or NEMA 3R enclosure ...

Linear motor actuators.(Motion Marketplace)
June 1, 2003... FEATURES * Uses caged technology * Coreless * Thrust rod for enhanced performance * Virtually eliminates attracting force associated with core motors * Reduces low-speed ripple * Full utilization of each coil *...

Soft-start controllers.(Motion Marketplace)
June 1, 2003... FEATURES * Microprocessor controlled * Provides overload protection for ac motor * Supports PLC-compatible digital and analog I/O for direct interface * Available as Chassis, Enclosed, Bypassed types * Closed-loop motor...

Machined springs.(Motion Marketplace)
June 1, 2003... FEATURES * Flexure curved beam * Machined from single piece of material * High-strength aluminum transfers heat * Reduces complexity, cost Helical Products Co. [Tel] (877) 353-9873 www.heli-cal.com Circle...

Worm gear reducers and C-face motors.(Motion Marketplace)
June 1, 2003... SPECS Reducer styles: C-Face quill, C-Face quill with hollow output Motor models: 1/2 to 2 hp; 56 and 145 TC frames Motor center distance: 1.75, 2.06, 2.62 in. FEATURES * Premium 316 stainless steel housings *...

Thin section bearings.(Motion Marketplace)
June 1, 2003... SPECS Bore size: 1 to 40 in. Cross section: 3/16 to 1 in. FEATURES * Bore diameter more than four times radial cross section * Custom bearings available * Also offered in metric sizes and radial, angular, and 4-point...

Rollers.(Motion Marketplace)
June 1, 2003... FEATURES * Reduce shock and noise * Provide dimensional stability * Composite tires over roller or needle bearings * Self-lubricating * Flat, shouldered, concave, convex, V-concave, and crowned profiles Intech Corp....

Linear displacement sensors.(Motion Marketplace)
June 1, 2003... SPECS Induced voltage: 0 to 5 Vdc Range: 15 to 400 mm FEATURES * Permanent magnet design * IP67 housing * Can be applied to rotary actuators * Contactless; low maintenance Tyco Electronics [Tel] (717)...

UL-approved servodrives.(Motion Marketplace)
June 1, 2003... SPECS Current ratings: 15 to 100 A peak Supply voltage: 24 Vdc to 460 Vac FEATURES * Operate brushed and brushless servomotors * Programmable digital and analog I/O * Support encoder or resolver feedback Advanced...

Non-ball leadscrews.(Motion Marketplace)
June 1, 2003... SPECS Diameter: 1/8 to 15/16 in. Leads: 0.02 to 3 in. FEATURES * Self-lock prevents back driving * Special coating eliminates external lubrication * Stainless steel construction * Quiet, reliable operation ...

Linear position sensors.(Motion Marketplace)
June 1, 2003... SPECS Range: 1.0 to 20.0 in. Output: 4 to 20 mA FEATURES * 3-wire connection * Stainless steel housing * Includes miniature signal processor Sentech Inc. [Tel] (888) 461-8324 www.sentechlvdt.com Circle...

Electric disc brakes.(Motion Marketplace)
June 1, 2003... SPECS Static torque rating: 3 to 50 lb-in. (various sizes) FEATURES * Armature-actuated * Requires no adjustments * Asbestos-free friction discs * Holds inertial loads when voltage is disconnected Rexnord Corp.,...

Programmable relays.(Motion Marketplace)
June 1, 2003... SPECS Input: ac or dc I/O: 10, 12, or 20 I/O type: digital dc or ac; 0 to 10-Vdc analog FEATURES * Simplified Ladder Logic programming * Built-in DIN-rail and slide-out tab panel mounting * 48 character LCD...

Step motor driver.(Motion Marketplace)
June 1, 2003... SPECS Resolution: 200,000 steps/rev Input: 100 to 120 Vac FEATURES * 2-phase/4-phase * NEMA sizes 17 and 23 * 16 equiangular resolution settings from 1/1 to 1/1,000 step * Many I/O options Nyden Corp. ...

Problem 269//grand math slam; don't let this one get past you.(Fun With Fundamentals)
June 1, 2003... Forced to play for the Sunfield Scratchers by his old man, Herman Snivel would rather be doing what he really loves--collecting bugs, watching Jeopardy, and doing multivariable calculus. Today the team is playing against the Hooterville Mud...