Motion System Design articles from June 2008

Motion System Design archives from June 2008

Use your (gear) head for your next servo design: servo-rated gearheads are used in 50 to 60% of servo applications, and they're essential for several machine functions. They allow small motors to control large loads--and the newest units offer other advantages as well.(Planetary gearheads)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] What gear systems are suitable for servo applications, and which don't make the grade? Well, gearboxes multiply torque and reduce speed; they're used with conventional electric motors. One example is an ac motor and...

Anti-seize compound handles high temps.(Hot 'n humid)
June 1, 2008... Thred Gard helps protect metal against seizing, galling, rust, and corrosion. The non-drip, non-hardening formula is suitable for use on nuts, bolts, bushings, sleeves, couplings, and other interlocking components. It speeds assembly and...

Chrome plating battles extreme temperatures.(Hot 'n humid)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A new low-temperature, black chrome plating is now available on a variety of linear motion components, including shafts, bushings, and guides, as well as on ballscrews and other parts. Through electroplating, an...

Control system eases food processing.(Hot 'n humid)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Movifit Field Integrated Technology, a decentralized control system designed for food and beverage processing, is available in both hygienic IP69K-rated and standard IP65 construction. Preconfigured routines for...

Absolute encoder stands up to harsh settings.(Hot 'n humid)(Dynapar Corp.)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... The compact Acuro XR absolute encoder (installed height just 32 mm) incorporates three design features that make it suitable for harsh environments. Magnetic technology is used rather than optical, oversized bearings handle high axial and...

Perforated belt moves moisture out.(Hot 'n humid)(Dorner Manufacturing Corp.)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The 2200 Series conveyor, for light to medium-duty applications, now comes with a perforated bedplate option to better suit cooling and draining applications. Holes allow air to flow through the conveyor's frame and...

Special bearings brave heat, moisture, radiation.(Solution snapshot)
June 1, 2008... Do neutrinos have mass? That's the question engineers are trying to answer with the Main Injector Neutrino Oscillator Search (MINOS) experiment, taking place at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) in Batavia, Ill. One of the...

3 Triple threat: cables, carriers, connectors: don't let your cabling concerns become an afterthought. Today's motion systems deserve more than that out of their lifelines. Find out the latest trends in cable, carrier, and connector technology in this forum on maximizing productivity.(Productivity Forum)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Need to know How do cables, carriers, and connectors boost productivity? Dave * Alpha: The enemy of productivity is, obviously, the failure of any component within the system. With respect to cable, the two...

The beauty of brains: rotary bearings can do more than carry load and minimize friction; newer varieties equipped with sensing can provide useful information to controllers for better motion.(Smart bearings)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sensorized bearings measure load, rotational position, velocity, and force to better control industrial and automotive applications. We'll review a few of their most common uses shortly. The sensing parts are...

Keeping an eye on factory automation: machine vision helps manufacturing processes see clearly.(Lessons in Vision)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Many tasks in the manufacture of products, including inspection, orientation, identification, and assembly, require visual feedback. Human vision and response, however, can be slow and error-prone due to boredom and...

Chuck Lewin: this month, we review the life of Chuck Lewin, innovator in using advanced motion control on an IC chip, for ideas and inspiration.(Did you know)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Many kids dream of turning their hobbies into a successful job some day. Chuck Lewin, founder of Performance Motion Devices Inc. (PMD), Lincoln, Mass., and creator of motion processors, was one such kid who made his...

Calling all innovators.(In the loop)
June 1, 2008... Here's a challenge, and a shot at a prize, for all you engineers with inventive minds. On page 14, Elisabeth Eitel writes about a motion device unlike anything you've ever seen. It's a three-dimensional polymer actuator that, with your help,...

Dc gearmotor.(New Products)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] M1600 G211 series of single-worm reduction, right-angle gearmotors is designed for applications requiring moderate output torque. Features & benefits * Speeds to 500 rpm; ratings to 15 lb-in. * 8:1 to...

Linear actuators.(New Products)
June 1, 2008... Size 14 hybrid linear actuators are available with an integrated connector, and are offered alone or with a harness assembly and a positive latch for high connection integrity. Features & benefits [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] *...

Stainless-steel shafts.(New Products)
June 1, 2008... SS2 through SS8 series of spline shafts are available in 304 stainless steel for light to moderate load applications, including those that require a rotary drive with adjustable linear position or a linear guide with high torsional stability....

Linear magnetic encoders.(New Products)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] LM10 linear magnetic encoders offer 100-m travel capability and fit-and-forget operating life to high-speed and high-precision positioning for tough machinery applications. Features & benefits * Solid-state,...

Bevel gearboxes.(New Products)
June 1, 2008... HDP parallel shaft and HDO right angle gearboxes offer high structural rigidity and gear geometry for optimized load capacity and gear/bearing life. Features & benefits * Current range: nine sizes offer 90 to 180 mm output shaft range...

Linear slide.(New Products)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] RRL low profile slide is a compact, precision, linear solution for applications that require a small footprint without sacrificing quality. Features & benefits * Offers smooth and quiet motion over long...

Vector drives.(New Products)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SMVector Inverters come with polycarbonate plastic NEMA 4X (IP65) enclosures for use with drives that need to be protected against dust, dirt, and the harmful effects of water and corrosion. Features & benefits...

Drive belt.(New Products)
June 1, 2008... Power Grip TruMotion small pitch, nonmaking belt is engineered for drives requiring precision, cleanliness, and reduced noise levels. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Features & benefits * Nylon tooth surface reduces dust accumulation (4.5...

Motor optimizers.(New Products)
June 1, 2008... Powerboss Integra is a fixed-speed motor solution that dynamically adjusts power to a motor as its load changes. Features & benefits * Constantly monitors motor's load and calculates exact amount of power required at any time *...

Closed-loop drives.(New Products)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Digital MD plus series of field-programmable, closed-loop drives for dc motors up to 2 hp features an isolated 4-20 mA input/output signal capability. Features & benefits * Uses an advanced velocity-form PID...

Bellows couplings.(New Products)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MK1/0.5 miniature bellows couplings provide increased control and compensate for misalignment and transmit angular position, torque, and velocity with a high level of accuracy at even high speeds. Features &...

Telescopic rails: strengthen combat-ready vehicles.(Industry Focus: Aerospace and Defense)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A war zone is no place for parts to fail. With ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, defense contractors are busy supplying ever sturdier components and equipment to soldiers in the field. BAE Systems, a global...

BSA elects 2008-2009 officers.(Biz bits)
June 1, 2008... During its 2008 annual convention held April 26-29 at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, the Bearing Specialists Association (BSA) elected the following slate of officers for 2008-2009: President: Steve Durston, Jamaica Bearings Co. Inc. ...

ElectroCraft debuts motion control lineup.(Biz bits)
June 1, 2008... ElectroCraft Inc., Dover, N.H., recently announced the release of its new line of CompletePower motion control products including servo drives and speed controls. The new product line will power the company's entire range of PMDC, BLDC, and...

Misumi adds blog to web site.(Biz bits)(Website overview)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Misumi USA Inc., Schaumburg, Ill., recently added an engineering blog to its web site, www. misumiusa.com. The blog focuses on mechanical component trends for assembly automation and will give engineers a place to...

Bosch Rexroth develops lean podcast series.(Biz bits)
June 1, 2008... A new episode, "Applying Lean to the Engineering Process," has been added to Bosch Rexroth's "Lean Manufacturing" podcast series. The episode features lean manufacturing expert Jamie Flinchbaugh discussing how lean techniques and principles...

Cicoil receives quality award.(Biz bits)
June 1, 2008... Cicoil Corp., Valencia, Calif., recently became the first U.S. company to receive Ship-to-Stock" quality certification from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, based in Israel. The cable assemblies Cicoil supplies to Rafael form the electrical...

In Sights.(What's New)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This pedal-powered grain crusher--a mechanical device that attaches to a bicycle--is used to process various grains from large to small pieces suitable for cooking. As a rider pedals, the back wheel moves a contact...

Extending, curling, snaking braids: new designer-plastic tubes resembling Chinese finger traps actually deliver coordinated 3D motion and force.(Reverse engineering)
June 1, 2008... If you've ever admired the elegant locomotion of a snake, then you'll appreciate this one: A new motion device can produce all the movements that a snake can--and more. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Called an electroactive polymer (EAP)...

Machine controller.(Product Spotlight: Controllers)
June 1, 2008... XL OCS all-in-one controller offers graphics display for better process visualization and machine control. Features & benefits * 3.75 [in.sup.2], more compact than separate PLC and operator interfaces * Built-in I/O with removable...

Single-axis position controller.(Product Spotlight: Controllers)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CMMS-ST single-axis position controller combined with the EMMS-ST stepper motor offers an easy-to-use package for single and multiple-axis handling with loads of up to 20 kg. Features & benefits * Two-phase...

Microstepping controller.(Product Spotlight: Controllers)
June 1, 2008... RoHS-compliant R256 microstepping driver/controller features fully programmable ramps and speeds, software selectable hold and move currents, two user configurable digital I/Os; and two dedicated inputs--one optical sensor for homing and one...

General-purpose microcontroller.(Product Spotlight: Controllers)
June 1, 2008... MC088-015-00000 PLUS+1 88-pin microcontroller includes 42 inputs, 32 outputs, and two CAN 2.0B ports, for designs requiring many I/O connections in a concentrated space. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Features & benefits * Member of a...

SCADA controllers.(Product Spotlight: Controllers)
June 1, 2008... SCADAPack 350E and SCADAPack 357E controllers offer interoperability and reliable communications by featuring native DNP3 and IEC 60870-5 and multi-vendor connectivity. Features & benefits * AGA12-2 encryption ensures data integrity...

Electrohydraulic controller.(Product Spotlight: Controllers)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] BODAS RC36-20 controller uses state-of-the-art, 32-bit TriCore technology to increase functionality and performance of electronic control of mobile hydraulics equipment. Features & benefits * Replace...

Smart bearings on the rise.(Save time with smart bearings)
June 1, 2008... The importance of advancements in bearing technology is stressed in the latest "Bearing Brief" from The Bearing Specialists Association (BSA), Glen Ellyn, Ill. The brief discusses Smart Bearing Technology, highlighting components that integrate...

Hydraulically-assisted bearing simplfies installation and removal.(Save time with smart bearings)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dodge hydraulically-assisted ISAF bearing from Baldor Electric Co., Fort Smith, Ark., is designed for use on large bulk handling conveyors. It is easy to install and remove, features two sealing systems, and has...

Rotating torque sensor stands up to high loads.(Save time with smart bearings)
June 1, 2008... Series 01367 rotating torque sensors feature a bearing system that allows the structure to be exposed to very high radial loads without damage. Most standard torque sensors require their housings to float to minimize any extraneous loading...

Learn a little.(Web Contents)
June 1, 2008... Our freshly redesigned website features several new sections, one being our Whitepapers department. Click on this link to read technical papers on a variety of topics, including "Designing with Flexible Flat Cable" from Cicoil Corp., "Next...

Online configuration, download available.(Web Contents)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Peninsular Cylinder, Roseville, Mich., manufacturer of air and hydraulic cylinders, has launched an online configurator at www.pen insularcylinders.com, in partnership with PARTsolutions, a provider of digital parts...