Motion System Design articles from June 2004

Motion System Design archives from June 2004

When all else fails--Part 1.(In the Loop)
June 1, 2004... You will find in this issue, on page 46, a tribute to Nobel Prize winners who made their mark in physics from 1901 to 1950. The names and accomplishments should be an inspiration to all who read this magazine. Like most people who arrive at...

Bad medicine.(In Response)(Brief Article)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... Your April 2004 editorial is full of smarmy, self-righteous opinions. Who says "medicine was never intended to heal all diseases?" What is wrong with that as a goal? What should the pharmaceutical and medical manufacturers do for your wife and...

Stick to engineering.(In Response)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... While I applaud your convictions about the healtheare industry, I'm a bit perplexed as to what your editorial has to do with Motion System Design. I would prefer not to have this kind of content within your magazine. Ours is a free...

Well-written wishes.(In Response)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... Referencing your editorial, Well Wishes for the Healtheare Industy: I must say, I think you hit the nail on the head. Way to go. Steve Campbell Wenger Mfg. Inc. sdc@wenger.com Thank you for your straightforward and...

Honesty is the best policy.(In Response)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... Your recent opinion article, Well Wishes for the Healthcare Industry. was great! You really tell it like you see it. And a lot like the rest of us do, too. It's hard to believe honest opinion is still getting into print. Motion System Design is...

Take care of yourself.(In Response)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... Your April editorial hits a lot of targets, some of which I'd like to elaborate on. The first has to do with an e-mail my wife received from a woman she connected with at her 50th class reunion last fall. Apparently, the woman wasn't...

Don't ask, don't tell.(In Response)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... Regarding your editorial Fat Chance in the March issue. In some ways it makes sense--the connection between physical conditioning and on-the-job efficiency. But how in the world would we ever be able to base a hiring decision on something like...

New microchip plays doctor.(What's New)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... A Johns Hopkins undergraduate has constructed a new type of microchip that can move and isolate DNA and protein molecules. Link the chip with analysis equipment, and the device could be used to identify medical ailmnents, monitor a patient's...

Hybrid bearings race toward the finish line.(What's New)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Larry "Spiderman" McBride's Top Fuel Kawasaki drag bike is the only motorcycle to run the 1/4-mile race in under 6 sec. Helping out McBride's motorcycle are more than 20 ceramic hybrid bearings from Worldwide Beatings Inc., Fairfield, N.J. The...

New rules for cable.(What's New)(National Electrical Code)(Power Limited Tray Cable)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The 2002 National Electrical Code (NEC) changes the way cable can extend from cable trays. Once limiting use to metal clad (MC) cable or metal conduit, the new 2002 Code permits UL Open Wiring rated cable. The 2002 NEC addresses two types of...

Car learns to stay inside the lines.(What's New)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Almost half of all fatal motor-vehicle accidents happen when a vehicle leaves its lanes and collides with a fixed object. Chris Gerdes, assistant professor of mechanical engineering and co-director of the Stanford Center for Design Research,...

Study shows the fiction in friction.(What's New)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Friction is key in auto-part production. Too little friction during manufacturing leads to parts wrinkling and buckling; too much can cause parts to wear. Using rigorous statistical analysis, National Institute of Standards and Technology...

Wright Brothers help beat the heat.(What's New)(Air Comfort Products)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... With summer here, we're all looking for ways to keep cool. Air Comfort Products (ACP), a div. of Emerson Electric, offers a new ceiling fan that does just that, while also paying homage to the Wright Brothers. In honor of the centennial...

Friction calculator.(What's New)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... A new general catalog from SKF USA Inc., Kulpsville, Pa., features a new friction model based on the calculation of all contacts in the bearing using four sources: rolling, sliding, seal, and drag/splashing/ churning losses. For example,...

Track stars: compared to other components, cable carriers might seem relatively easy to specify. Still, where the lifelines of a system are involved--power cables, communication lines, and hose--a pragmatic approach helps prevent catastrophes.(Cover Story)
June 1, 2004... Correctly specifying cables is important because they can fail if flexing-cycle and bend-radii limits are exceeded. However, cable carrier design is just as important. Carriers shield and protect cables from fatigue and crimping brought on by...

Chain selection.(Course audit: advanced learning at your desk, at your pace)
June 1, 2004... Roller chains are one of the most efficient ways to transmit mechanical power between shafts. They're principally used for mechanical power transmission and on conveying equipment to carry, push, and move products. Compared with other...

Eye on connectivity: opportunities for factory-floor automation open up with industrial Ethernet.
June 1, 2004... As industrial Ethernet continues to make its way to lower levels of the plant hierarchy, standards organizations and automation suppliers alike are endorsing its suitability for device-level applications. The issues of determinism and...

Ethernet on the fieldbus battlefront: industry perspective from Michael Mensinger, motion control firmware design engineer, Parker Compumotor, Rohnert Park, Calif.(Q&A)
June 1, 2004... Motion System Design: What is the state of connectivity today? Michael Mensinger: The fieldbus war is in full swing. Profibus is dominating in Europe, while Allen-Bradley attempts to corner the U.S. market with DeviceNet. Ethernet is...

Off to a good start: conveyor drive technology offers several choices for reliable, performance-driven systems. Depending on budget constraints, cost may have a greater influence than technology. Regardless, the best designs are those that beat or meet starting and running criteria.
June 1, 2004... After a facility's conveyor design is finalized, its drive system must be specified. The ability to control drive acceleration torque is paramount to smooth, soft starts and consistent belt tensions within specified safe limits. For load...

Rolling up their sleeves: graphite-matrix journal bearings are doing battle to extend the limitations of extreme temperature, load and washdown environments.
June 1, 2004... Conventional journal, rolling-element, and oil-impregnated bearings are limited by their lubrication. For this reason, they often don't provide satisfactory life in applications hostile to lubricants. Extreme temperatures, grit, vibration,...

Personal CNC router.(Project)(Computer Numerical Control)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Case summary: Stepper and driver package increases positioning and cutting speeds of small, personal CNC routers to that of much larger machines. End User: ShopBot Tools Inc., Durham, N.C. Founded: 1996 Employees: 30 Engineering...

Bag-in-box cartoner.(Project)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Case summary: A flexible control platform reduces space and minimizes changeover time on bag-in-box cartoners. OEM: Triangle Package Machinery Co., Chicago Founded: 1923 Engineering activity: Designs and builds packaging equipment for...

The Nobel Prize the first 50 years.(Brushing Up)
June 1, 2004... It all started with a bang The Nobel Prize was instituted by Alfred Bernard Nobel, a Swedish engineer and inventor who lived from 1833 to 1896. Prior to his death, Nobel set up a $9,000,000 fund to reward individuals for achievements that...

Alpha dog.(Better by Design)(794-20C coupling)(Alpha-Four Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Couplings transmit power perfectly--when shafts are perfectly aligned. Flawed installations cause parallel and angular offsets leading to vibration and fatigue, not to mention preload stresses and driveline-bearing friction wear. That's why...

Elbow room.(Better by Design)(Elastic spacers)(Recirculating balls)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Recirculating balls provide for very fine motion as long as they don't bump together. But in regular ballnuts, balls tend to back up into their neighbors, increasing friction and idling torque. Worst-case scenario, this can lead to servo-loop...

Design by objective: vibration & noise: excessive vibration and noise are not viewed as marks of a high-quality product. Motion System Design asked industry experts how to deal with the shakes and rattles.(Rockford Ball Screw Co.)
June 1, 2004... Who's who ROMAN WAJDA Dodge Bearing Specialist Rockwell Automation Milwaukee JEFFREY L. LAY Gear Industry Director Nye Lubricants Inc. Fairhaven, Mass. ANDY O'CONNELL V.P Operation/Engineering ...

Reliable transducers.(Linear Position Sensors)
June 1, 2004... SPECS Temperature: -40 to 80[degrees]C (DI Series); 10 to 250[degrees]C (DC Series) Accuracy: 0.3% (DI Series); Pressure: to 450 bar (DI Series: to 300 bar (DC Series) FEATURES * Withstand vibrations, aggressive chemicals,...

More features, functions.(Linear Position Sensors)
June 1, 2004... FEATURES * Fully programmable setup * Red and green indicators monitor for errors * Inline pushbutton or PC software via a serial communications link * Ability to interface with wireless PDA via infrared communication MTS...

Small and durable.(Linear Position Sensors)
June 1, 2004... SPECS Stroke: 0 to 10 in. Resistance: 2.5 to 10 K[ohm] FEATURES * Felt and O-ring seals * 0.5-in cross-section * Three-pronged, claw-type wiper pushes away particles as it moves along track's conductive surface ...

Backlash-free transducers.(Linear Position Sensors)
June 1, 2004... SPECS Linearity: [+ or -] 0.05% Resolution: 0.01 mm Length: to 750 mm FEATURES * Standard M12 connector * Backlash-free Divot heads provide free movement * Anodized aluminum housing, stainless-steel rotatable actuator,...

Magnetostrictive transducers.(Linear Position Sensors)
June 1, 2004... SPECS Output: 0 to 10 V Linearity: 200 [micro]m Repeatability: 10 [micro]m Resolution: 10 mm FEATURES * Floating target magnet * Absolute position output * Start/stop digital output * Aluminum housing sealed to IP67...

RS 60 rotary position sensors.(Motion Marketplace)
June 1, 2004... SPECS Range: [+ or -] 20[degrees] to [+ or -] 80[degrees] Output: Analog or PWM FEATURES * Non-contact Hall effect replaces wiping contacts * Separate [V.sub.s], [G.sub.nd], [V.sub.out] pins for each sensing element *...

EVN2000 series limit switches.(Motion Marketplace)
June 1, 2004... SPECS Air gap: 4 mm FEATURES * Two snap-action (1 NO/1 NC) contacts * Fully enclosed housing * IDT terminals cut installation time in half * CE, C-UL, UL certified Honeywell International (800) 784-3011 ...

Brushless dc motors.(Motion Marketplace)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... SPECS Input: Two wire, 12 V Output: 20 W Size: 31 x 62 mm FEATURES * Single and double-ended shaft configurations, custom wiring and mounting available * Sustains high-vibration loads such as cyclical shaft loading *...

LC8 servomotor controllers.(Motion Marketplace)
June 1, 2004... SPECS Accuracy: [+ or -] 0.005 to [+ or -] 0.025 mm Size: 141 x75x 130 mm Input: 100 to 115,200 to 220 Vac Output: to 50, 100, 200-W motors FEATURES * Up to seven units can be slaved together for single-PLC control...

Rail stops.(Motion Marketplace)(SPECS)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... SPECS Bore: 0.5 to 1.5 in. FEATURES * Clamp style, hex-wrench adjustable, suitable when conventional shaft collars don't apply * Act as mechanical end stops and mounting blocks on rail-mounted shafts * Slide over shaft...

ASR1100 rotary stages.(Motion Marketplace)
June 1, 2004... SPECS Weight: Air pressure: 40 psi FEATURES * Direct-drive brushless motor * Integral NC pneumatic collet chuck * Collet accepts 0.5 to 10-mm OD tubing * Low-inertia shaft * Maintenance-free non-contact...

G7 adjustable-frequency drives.(Motion Marketplace)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... SPECS Voltage: 240 to 480 Horsepower: 0.5 to 500 FEATURES * Three-level inverter architecture minimizes problems associated with ICGBT switching * Three autotuning methods, including static autotuning (which doesn't...

TopJobs terminal blocks.(Motion Marketplace)(DIN-rail mounted)(Software Professional Estimation and Collection System)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... SPECS Voltage: 600 Current: 87 A FEATURES * DIN-rail mounted * Solid, tin-bonded, or ferruled stranded wire connected by inserting into clamping mechanism * All wire types connected via simple screwdriver actuation...

Energy chain cable carriers.(Motion Marketplace)(Software Professional Estimation and Collection System)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... SPECS Travel: 1,312 ft Width: to 78.7 in. FEATURES * Supports 750 lb * Handles high speeds and accelerations * Brake system between links reduces noise * Beveled edges on glide surface dampen travel noise *...

EPOS 24/1 motion controllers.(Motion Marketplace)(Electronic Point of Sale)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... SPECS Output: 1 A max, 2 A peak Motor speed: 25,000 rpm (2-pole) Switching frequency: 50 kHz Encoder input frequency: 1 MHz Size: 55 x 40 x 25 mm (45g) FEATURES * Position velocity current mode control *...

RCP2 robo cylinders.(Motion Marketplace)
June 1, 2004... SPECS Controls: 64 points Repeatability: [+ or -] 0.02 mm Size: 35 x 163 x 68.1 mm FEATURES * One-third the power consumption of air cylinders * Speeds can be changed during slider/rod movement * Wider base for...

Vibration switches.(Motion Marketplace)
June 1, 2004... SPECS Power: 24 Vdc Operating range: 0 to 10 gs FEATURES * Provides early warning of deterioration; shuts down machine when trip level is exceeded * Form C (SPDT) relay, adjustable trip point, local and remote reset,...

Timing belt conveyors.(Motion Marketplace)
June 1, 2004... SPECS Width: 40 to 400 mm Length: 650 to 6,000 mm Load: 500 lb Speed: 200 ft/min FEATURES * Accurate product staging and indexing * Custom part-specific fixtures, dual or multiple lanes possible * Can be...

LC-9.5 positioning stages.(Motion Marketplace)
June 1, 2004... SPECS Size: 0.39 x 1.57 x 0.39 in. Accuracy: 0.0005 in./in. Repeatability: 0.0001 in. FEATURES * Lightweight aluminum base and carriage contains two rows of precision ceramic ball bearings * Raceways for the 1/32-in...

ServoTube linear actuators.(Linear Corner)
June 1, 2004... SPECS Continuous force: 51 to 104 N Peak force: 662 N Peak acceleration: 527 m/[sec.sup.2] Input: 50/60 Hz at 120 or 240 Vac Resolution: 12 [micro]m FEATURES * Permanent-magnet linear motor Xenus indexer that...

Fas-Trax linear slide kits.(Linear Corner)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... SPECS Tolerance: 25 [micro]m per 300 mm FEATURES * Profile rail, ballscrew, and saddle/base plate assemblies for purchase together or separately * Two 25-mm flange-style carriages per rail, 25-mm ballscrew with 10-mm standard...

Size-14 harmonic gearheads.(Linear Corner)
June 1, 2004... SPECS Torque: 89 lb-in. (620 lb-in. max) Ratios: 50, 80, 100:1 Repeatability: [+ or -] 5 arc-sec Dimensions: 41 x 73 mm FEATURES * 50% more torque * Zero backlash * 1-arc-min positioning accuracy HD...

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

We make the motion ...(Media Mart)
June 1, 2004... ... that makes the world move. R/B/S provides our customers with the highest level of quality, extensive engineering expertise, competitive pricing, and outstanding customer service. We stock over 55 standard models ranging in size from .375"...

Synchronous products just got better!(Media Mart)(Advertisement)
June 1, 2004... Martin's outstanding synchronous product line now includes High HP HPTS SprocKets. These sprockets are manufactured to run with today's highest horsepower RPP profile belts, such as Panther, Blackhawk, and QT Power Chain. The expanded line...

Miniature guideways.(Media Mart)(Minirail offer )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Schneeberger now stocks eight sizes of miniature guideways and six sizes of ball monorail available with 2nd day delivery. Minirail offer retained carriage balls, max speeds of 5m/s and max accelerations of 300m/s [less than or eqaul to]...

Torque systems capabilities.(Media Mart)
June 1, 2004... Torque Systems Division of Cleveland Motion controls has introduced a new capabilities brochure that highlights their ability to provide customized electromechanical solutions for brushless and brush servomotors, linear actuators and encoders....

LDL linear encoder.(Media Mart)(Lightwave Data Links.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Utilizing reflective optical diffraction technology, the LDL is a compact, affordable answer to digitize motion to resolutions of .00005 inches (.0005 mm). Offered in travel lengths up to 48 inches, no contact between the readhead and scale...

Spiral bevel gear catalog.(Media Mart)
June 1, 2004... New 20 page stock gear catalog contains rating data and specifications, charts for spiral bevel gear sets in ratios of 1:1, 2:1, 3:2, and 4:3 and ground tooth gears in 1:1 and 2:1 ratios, Includes engineering formulas, drawings, AGMA ratings,...

New reali.slim[R] bearings catalog.(Media Mart)(Kaydon[R] Corporation)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Save weight, space, and cut manufacturing costs with thin-section bearings. Ideal for design of machine tools, food processing equipment, SME equipment, scientific apparatus, medical, and aerospace products. 112-page catalog gives selection...

Anti-Creep Cage Crossed Roller Way--CRWG.(Media Mart)
June 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...

C-Sleeve linear Way--ML.(Media Mart)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... C-Sleeve (Capillary Sleeve) is a component part for lubrication originally developed by IKO. This is a porous sintered resin made in the form of a sleeve by sintering fine resin powder and impregnating a large amount of lubricant into its...

Linear motion catalog offers components & complete systems.(Media Mart)
June 1, 2004... Over 400 products one systems are showcased, including precision case-hardened and ground steel shafts, aluminum support rails, shaft support blocks and shaft rail assemblies, roller gearing pillow blocks/carriage plates, as well as complete...

Spiral retaining rings.(Media Mart)
June 1, 2004... The new Smalley Steel Ring Company Retaining Ring Catalog now available. Smalley has over 4500 rings in stock, sizes from 1/4" to 16". Special designs are available with No-Tooling-Charges[TM] with sizes from .200" to 84"; available in carbon...

High-rigidity, long-stroke Linear Motor Table--LT.(Media Mart)
June 1, 2004... IKO Linear Motor Table LT is a direct-drive positioning table consisting of a moving table and bed of aluminum alloy, in which an AC linear servomotor and optical linear scale are compactly integrated. Linear Motor Table LT employs a C-shaped...

Cleanroom precision positioning table--TC.(Media Mart)
June 1, 2004... IKO Cleanroom precision positioning table TC is suitable for use in an environment requiring high cleanliness such as semiconductor manufacturing equipment and liquid crystal related equipment. Its unique high air-tightness structure seals the...

Clutches & brakes.(Media Mart)
June 1, 2004... New 22-page, color brochure features Hilliard's full line of motion control products, including overrunning, bi-directional, intermittent motion, torque limiting and centrifugal clutches, plus permanent magnet, electric and Twiflex brakes....

Wave springs.(Media Mart)(Advertisement)
June 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...

Oil misting.(msd 101)
June 1, 2004... Lubricant is an integral part of bearings. In critical applications where speeds run high, sometimes a constant spray of oil (or an oil-bath to the bottom rolling element middle) works better than a static grease lubricant. Because oil...