Motion System Design articles from May 2005

Motion System Design archives from May 2005

The truth about outsourcing.(In THE LOOP)
May 1, 2005... Since the mid 1990s, the U.S. has been losing manufacturing jobs at an alarming rate. Nearly 3 million positions have vanished in the past three years alone. Most of them have gone to China, where ridiculously low labor rates are just too...

Best Buy sympathies.(In RESPONSE)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2005... I also became entrapped by the "Best Buy Corporate Policy" as it relates to purchases and the return/replace/repair customer agreement. But instead of continuing my debate with store managers and employees, who could only submit they were held...

More fun with FWF.(In RESPONSE)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2005... I'm glad to see that the "Fun with Fundamentals" has made it back into Motion System Design. I always enjoy the problems; keep them coming. Paul J. Carter, PE Mechanical Engineer Closet Maid I have seen firsthand the damage...

Alternative FWF solution.(In RESPONSE)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2005... Problem 275 is reminiscent of an example from a textbook in classical mechanics that I studied over forty years ago (how time flies). The parametric equations for the x and y coordinates of the projectile in terms of time t are x = v t cos a...

Saying "Y.E.S." to engineering students.(What's NEW)(Young Engineers Support)
May 1, 2005... Several college and high school students have benefited from a new program offered by igus which was designed to foster mechanical design ideas and inventions of students. Entitled Y.E.S. (Young Engineers Support) Program, it offers free...

Wago Corp.(Company news)
May 1, 2005... Wago Corp., Germantown, Wis., has appointed Scott Becher Senior Sales and Application Engineer for the western region of North America. He has many years experience in industrial automation, including distribution, representative, and...

The Timken Co.(Company news)(Ravi R. Bhatia appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The Timken Co., Canton, Ohio, has named Ravi R. Bhatia Vice President, Engineering, of the company's Industrial Group. Previously, he was general manager for advanced modeling and product performance at Timken's research facility. He has been...

Free motors from Bodine.(What's NEW)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Bodine Electric Co. will be offering free stock ac, dc, or brushless dc motor/ gearmotor samples to qualified original equipment manufacturers until June 30. The free give-a-way coincides with the company's 100th anniversary. With the free...

Artificial Muscle Inc.(Company news)(Richard Drabing appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Artificial Muscle Inc., Menlo Park, Calif., has appointed Richard Drabing as Director of Power Control Engineering. He will focus on high volume power supply design and manufacture for electroactive polymer artificial muscle technology. Drabing...

Industry news: market improves for proximity and linear displacement sensors.(What's NEW)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... According to a recent report from Venture Development Corp. (VDC), the proximity and linear displacement sensors market is brightening in North America. Positive growth rates should continue through 2007, says VDC, based on improving health of...

Falk Corp.(Company news)(alliances and partnerships)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Falk Corp., Milwaukee, has entered into a tactical alliance with Svendborg Brakes USA, to use their standard hydraulic disc brake packages, when required, on Falk Drive One Systems, as well as other Falk gear drives and couplings. The companies...

Artificial antenna helps "cockroach" move.(What's NEW)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... A robotic cockroach, designed by a research team at Johns Hopkins University, uses a flexible, sensor-laden antenna to send signals to the wheeled robot's electronic brain, enabling the machine to scurry along walls, turn corners, and avoid...

The Profibus Trade Organization (PTO).(Company news)(Carl Henning appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The Profibus Trade Organization (PTO), Scottsdale, Ariz., appointed Carl Henning Director of Profinet Marketing. He will head all marketing activities for Profinet, the open Industrial Ethernet standard for automation. He will focus on print...

Kabelschlepp.(Company news)(celebrating 50 years in the global carrier business)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Kabelschlepp, Milwaukee, is celebrating 50 years in the global carrier business, having invented the cable carrier or drag chain in 1954. The original development was registered by the Waldrich machine tool company of Siegen, Germany....

IMI Norgren Inc.(Company news)(alliances and partnerships)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... IMI Norgren Inc., Littleton, Colo., has strengthened its plant automotive capability by combining with Syron Engineering and Manufacturing LLC. This strategic partnership will make the two companies a global force in integrated tooling systems...

Actuator thrust requirements.(MSD 101)
May 1, 2005... An actuator's function is to provide thrust and positioning in machines used for production or testing. One type is the electromechanical actuator, which converts the torque of an electric rotary motor into linear mechanical thrust. To size...

New range of power UL/CSA Connectors by Lapp.(Advertisement)
May 1, 2005... Lapp USA has announced the launch of a brand new range of EPIC[R] Pin & Sleeve IEC60309 Connectors, which are designed to meet the power connectivity needs and safety requirements of North American industrial applications. The North American...

Custom populated cable carriers and assemblies by Lapp Systems USA.(Advertisement)
May 1, 2005... Lapp Systems USA specializes in custom populated cable carriers and assemblies for use in automation and control systems. Focused efforts have led to the development of "turn-key" solutions which include everything from cables and strain...

European portable cordage & hook-up wire manufactured to the <HAR> standard for worldwide use.(Advertisement)
May 1, 2005... Lapp offers a flexible cable cord with a PVC jacket and insulation or rubber insulations and a neoprene jacket, built to the European standard for harmonized cable. Also suitable for industrial areas exposed to water, dampness and dry...

Lapp launches the EPIC[R] HBE Series"Quick 48" Program.(Advertisement)
May 1, 2005... Lapp USA introduces its new HBE Series "Quick 48" Program. We have increased our "on the shelf" inventory of our most popular EPIC[R] HBE Series bases, hoods, and inserts. A selection of parts are now available from stock typically in 48 hours...

SKINTOP[R] cord connectors designed for durability.(Advertisement)
May 1, 2005... SKINTOP[R] liquid-tight, strain relief connectors are available in PG, NPT, and Metric thread size with international approvals such as UL, CSA, VDE, and SE. The SKINTOP[R] is recognized around the world as an excellent way of securing a cable...

Magnets seal it off: under static and dynamic conditions, ferrofluids can provide a hermetic seal against gas, vapor, and other contaminants.(Seals)
May 1, 2005... When moving seals are needed, ferrofluid seals often offer performance and life benefits that surpass alternatives. This is most true when rotary motion must be transmitted into an isolated environment. Examples involve vacuum or delicate...

Rough riders: radial-ring seals contact and ride on shafts, so the areas they touch must be machined properly. Surprisingly, a perfectly smooth finish isn't always the answer.(Lubes AND SEALS)
May 1, 2005... Seals are robust components for closing off the area around rotating shafts. Since sealing zone conditions are complex (involving relatively high pressures and temperatures, shear loads, oxygen access, and changing interactions between seal...

Servo couplings.(Peak PRODUCTIVITY)(servo coupling's)
May 1, 2005... Transmitting rotary power from one shaft to another is a servo coupling's primary, function. Doing this in the most productive manner Is a shared goal in industrial applications, which involves designers, component makers, and end users....

Miniature servo couplings.(Design by objective: SIZE & WEIGHT)
May 1, 2005... SD005 and SC005 Servo Class couplings are designed to handle the drive and resolution characteristics of ac and dc servomotors, steppers, and ac synchronous motors. FEATURES & BENEFITS * 16 mm diameter, up to 4.43 lb-in. of operating...

Miniature rotary encoders.(Design by objective: SIZE & WEIGHT)
May 1, 2005... EQN series of compact absolute single and multiturn encoders are smaller than a golf ball, for use on servomotors with heights less than 20 mm. FEATURES & BENEFITS * 8,192 pulses/rev * Use in temperatures up to 115[degrees]C ...

Mini actuators.(Design by objective: SIZE & WEIGHT)
May 1, 2005... Mini Actuator Type RDM is lightweight and only 65 mm wide. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Speeds of 5 m/sec * 10 mm/sec speed ripple, less than [+ or -] 1% * Accelerations of 9g * 59.7 N maximum thrust, 8.0 N (continuous) THK...

Micro-stepping motors.(Design by objective: SIZE & WEIGHT)
May 1, 2005... DSM Series 1.8[degrees] micro-stepping motors with onboard drive electronics provide a compact motion control system and eliminate the need to find space in equipment for drives and associated cabling. FEATURES & BENEFITS * NEMA frame...

Micro drive, mega features.(Systems & SUBSYSTEMS)
May 1, 2005... Easy to install, use, and maintain, the L200 Series micro variable-speed drives offer many new features. Side-by-side mounting capability, built-in timing logic, and analog input math (PLC) functions, DIP-switch hand-off ratio, and RS485 Modbus...

All wound up.(Systems & SUBSYSTEMS)
May 1, 2005... RGK3-20-0 rolling-ring traverse winding drives are an economical solution for general spooling applications. Cost savings are achieved in fewer parts and in injection-molded plastic parts in the housing and rolling ring carriers. The drive...

Take a spin.(Systems & SUBSYSTEMS)
May 1, 2005... Hollow-shaft brushless dc motorized spindle design combines minute air gaps between the shaft and spindle housing (0.0002 to 0.0004 in.) with the shaft run-out sat 0.0003 in. to establish a vacuum via the spindle housing. This allows the vacuum...

Rack and roll.(Better BY DESIGN)
May 1, 2005... While most driving pinions that mate with rack gears are toothed, one innovative system restricts teeth to the linear component. Its pinion consists of friction-reducing, bearing-supported rollers that move smoothly along each tooth face,...

Grounded for life.(Better BY DESIGN)
May 1, 2005... Variable frequency drives (VFDs) can induce unwanted current in the shafts of ac motors. Once this current overcomes the electrical resistance of grease in the bearings supporting the shaft, it discharges through the bearings and causes...

Precision servo reducers.(Product spotlight: GEARS & GEARING)
May 1, 2005... These precision servo worm reducers deliver high performance, precise positioning, and repeatability. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Five sizes (50 to 125 mm center distance) * Input speeds to 5,000 rpm and ratios from 4.75 to 52.1 *...

Gearboxes.(Product spotlight: GEARS & GEARING)
May 1, 2005... A corrosion-resistant version of the Slide-Rite universal gearbox features a one-piece, hard anodized aluminum case that seals gears from outside contaminants. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Two sizes include Standard and Compact * Two...

Right-angle gearhead.(Product spotlight: GEARS & GEARING)
May 1, 2005... HG+ right-angle gearheads utilize single-stage gearing technology to create a compact design available in five sizes. FEATURES & BENEFITS * 96% efficiency or more, guaranteed backlash of * Mounts to all servomotors in five minutes...

Worm reducers.(Product spotlight: GEARS & GEARING)
May 1, 2005... Two new Washguard all-stainless-steel worm reducers allow greater selection flexibility when converting equipment to washdown duty or stainless steel. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Size 818 or 821 (1.75 and 2.06-in. center distances) *...

Shaft mounted reducers.(Product spotlight: GEARS & GEARING)
May 1, 2005... Shaft-mounted Planetgear-series reducers provide a practical alternative to helical shaft mounted reducers. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Incorporate all Planetgear features; torques from 280,000 lb-in. to 2.9 million lb-in., with ratios of...

Spur gearheads.(Product spotlight: GEARS & GEARING)
May 1, 2005... SI series of spur inline gearheads use a one-piece gear cluster in four sizes. FEATURES & BENEFITS * 4,000 rpm input * Minimum efficiency of 90% * Operating temperature range from -60[degrees] to 250[degrees]F * Ratios...

Miniature gearhead.(Product spotlight: GEARS & GEARING)
May 1, 2005... CSF-XHF size-8 gearhead offers high precision and zero-backlash in a 32 [mm.sup.2] x 29 mm-long package. FEATURES & BENEFITS * 2 arc-min. positional accuracy * 21 in.-lb rated torque, 80 in.-lb maximum * Flange output for...

Planetary gearheads.(Product spotlight: GEARS & GEARING)
May 1, 2005... E-series planetary gearheads use high density, full needle bearings for all planet gears. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Life exceeds 30,000 hours * Five sizes and ratios from 3:1 to 512:1 * 7080 lb-in. torque * Flexibly mount to...

Proportional valve CD.(Pneumatic SOLUTIONS)
May 1, 2005... An introductory CD highlights the features and specifications of EVP proportional-control valves. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Control air and gas flow, varying flow by changing solenoid current * Consistent gain provides high accuracy...

Modular pneumatic actuators.(Pneumatic SOLUTIONS)
May 1, 2005... Line of short stroke pneumatic actuators is offered in modular configurations where multiple units are integrated into a single housing. FEATURES & BENEFITS * 25to 175 lb thrust force with standard plant air input * 0.1 to 2 in....

Pneumatic hoses.(Pneumatic SOLUTIONS)
May 1, 2005... Chainflex Air pneumatic hoses are designed for use in an Energy Chain System and a re resistant to abrasion, oil, and coolant. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Tested for more than 10 million cycles at a bend radius 10 times the outer diameter...

Air cylinders.(Pneumatic SOLUTIONS)
May 1, 2005... NR series stainless steel air cylinders are designed to maximize performance, and come with stainless steel piston rods, roll-formed threads at both ends of the piston, and pre-lubrication. FEATURES & BENEFITS * to 3 in. bore sizes ...

Industrial shock absorber.(New PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2005... Miniature SC 650-HC shock absorber is capable of rapid repeat strokes FEATURES & BENEFITS * Pressure chamber with metered orifices * Quick rod-ready time for faster cycling and production * Suitable for packaging and...

Step driver.(New PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2005... Compact two-phase driver microsteps motors from NEMA 14 to 34 with 20 to 40 Vdc. FEATURES & BENEFITS * 2.95 x 4.96 x 1.26 in. * Dip switch settings for 2, 5, 10, 16, 20, 32, 40, and 64 steps per step * Idle current 50% of...

Multi-axis motion controllers.(New PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2005... Power control functions and connectivity options make new servocontroller easier to use. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Control rotary, linear, and direct-drive motor applications * Operating modes include point-to-point positioning,...

Stepper motor I/O modules.(New PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2005... Low-cost I/O modules make versatile stepmotor drives while reducing wiring complexity. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Control and drive small steppers up to 200 W at 64 steps/period * KL2531 delivers 1.5 A per phase in a compact 12-mm wide...

Hybrid ballscrews.(New PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2005... Ceramic balls make new ballscrews heartier and more precise. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Silicon nitride (ceramic) rolling elements eliminate micro-welding in ball nut * Long life, low-friction operation * Less lubricant required...

Motor combo.(New PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2005... INTEGRAmotor consists of a brushless dc motor and speed control for reduced wiring and assembly. FEATURES & BENEFITS * 24 Vdc input, 1 to 2,500 rpm output * Accepts [+ or -] 5 Vdc for speed control or direction * With or...

AC servomotor controller.(New PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2005... Servo amplifier/controller dictates actuator's position, distance, or torque. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Executes 117 steps when seven controllers are slaved together from one PLC * Five palletizing steps move two axes sequentially...

Geared motors.(New PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2005... Three-phase BG series helical geared motors are engineered to drive machines and equipment of all types. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Power from 0.075 to 50 hp, output speeds of 0.3 to 540 rpm, and torque of 177 to 163,700 lbf-in. *...

Digital drives.(New PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2005... Newest members of the SimpllQ servo drive family, the high power density 6 Tuba models range in power output from 3.32 kW (12 A/230 V) to 10 kW (20 N460 V). FEATURES & BENEFITS * 9.7 x 7.4 x 3.6 in., weighs less than 5.9 lb *...

Compact starters.(New PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2005... Soft start, bypass and soft stop functions--along with built-in motor protection--prevent overload, heating, phase sequence and imbalance, excess start time, shorted SCR, and supply faults. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Switches 18 to 200 A...

Discflex couplings.(New PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2005... Zero-backlash motion control coupling line has been expanded to include miniature disc couplings in both single and double disc styles. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Up to 10,000 rpm, high strength and torsional stiffness, and low inertia ...

Rotary absolute encoder.(New PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2005... Compact encoder offers high accuracy for applications requiring absolute positioning. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Delivers precise distance and angle measurements * Precision ball bearings, stainless steel shaft (3-mm to 0.25-in....

Efficiency motors.(Media MART)
May 1, 2005... Baldor Electric Company offers Super-E[R] NEMA Premium[TM] efficiency motors from 1 through 1500 HP in low and medium voltages. TEFC, ODP, WPI and WPII enclosures are available with choice of environmental protection such as severe duty, IEEE...

Mechanical sub-assemblies.(Media MART)
May 1, 2005... AST Bearings' literature depicts photos, drawings, descriptions and typical applications for custom-designed precision bearing assemblies. Combining high quality bearings with technical design expertise, AST provides cost-saving solutions from...

Spiral Retaining Rings.(Media MART)
May 1, 2005... The new Smalley Steel Ring Company Retaining Ring Catalog is 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...

Self-lubricating gear solutions calculated for life.(Media MART)
May 1, 2005... The Intech Power-Core[TM] gears are precision machined and offer solutions to applications in which lubrication, wear, noise, vibration, inertia, shock load, moisture and chemicals present a problem for nylon, Delrin or metal gears. Metal Core...

Clevises/safety fasteners/pins.(Media MART)
May 1, 2005... Tuthill Controls' clevises are ideal for links that may need to be easily disconnected and suited for a wide range of applications. Other related Tuthill products include various safety fasteners and pins. Metric and inch sizing, right and...

Tension & registration control system.(Media MART)
May 1, 2005... An integrated system controls and corrects tension and registration deviations occurring in web printing, labeling and converting equipment. Employing the DGT 2000 digital web tension controller, the Amadeus digital registration controller,...

Looking for a new Integrated Automation system?(Media MART)
May 1, 2005... Containing detailed technical infromation for a wide variety of products the new B&R product catalog shows our customers various options for an efficient Integrated Automation Solution; whether you are looking for Visualization, Motion...

Precision encoders.(Media MART)
May 1, 2005... EPC's 104-page catalog features the full line of Accu-Coder[TM] Brand incremental encoders, as well as EPC's new absolute encoder series, to meet a wide variety of industrial positioning, counting, motion and motor control needs. Expert cross...

Free downloadable 3D CAD drawings from bishop-wisecarver.(Media MART)
May 1, 2005... Download your Bishop-Wisecarver 3D Models for free at bwc.com. The linear motion leader in guide wheel technology now presents fully configurable systems and components available in native 2D and 3D CAD formats. The easy to use online catalog...

Synchronous products just got better!(Media MART)
May 1, 2005... 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...

CGI Inc. gearheads.(Media MART)
May 1, 2005... Offering the widest range of standard gearhead ratios available in the industry. Providing custom solutions for motion control and automation applications. CGI is focused on engineering expertise and knowledgeable, customer service. CGI Inc.,...

Compact rugged I/O station.(Media MART)
May 1, 2005... 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...

Introducing QuickTrak[R] linear guide from bishop-wisecarver.(Media MART)
May 1, 2005... QuickTrak is an off-the-shelf solution that reduces design and installation costs by easily integrating into machine configurations. The belt or screw driven QuickTrak is ideal for light industrial use in laboratory, medical and packaging...

DualVee[R] guide wheels takes you to a higher level of clean.(Media MART)
May 1, 2005... Clean room compatible wheels consisting of 400 series stainless steel and a synthetic PFPE grease are now available from stock. Special materials, lubricants, surface treatments, and processing are also possible. Available in sizes 0-3....

Precision mechanical components.(Media MART)
May 1, 2005... Comprehensive, easy-to-use format for over 50,000 components: bearings, belts & pulleys, shafts, couplers, gears, hardware, slides, lead screws & nuts, positioning tables, linear motion systems and more. Call for application engineering...

MDrive--motor + electronics.(Media MART)
May 1, 2005... Compact, Powerful, Inexpensive. MDrives, hybrid stepping motors with integrated electronics, are detailed in a new catalog with complete specifications for sizes 14, 17, 23 & 34. Versions include Microstepping, Speed Control, Motion Control and...

Hybrid linear actuator catalog.(Media MART)
May 1, 2005... The HSI hybrid actuators come in six sizes, from 21 mm square to 87 mm square. Each size has three designs available--captive, non-captive and an external linear version. There are over twenty five different travels per step available, from...

Linear module actuator.(Media MART)
May 1, 2005... Rodless actuators offer a high speed maintenance free synchronous belt driven LM type actuator. It consists of a lightweight aluminum carriage running on wheels with ball bearings riding inside a special aluminum extrusion, it is driven by a...

Repeat o' fender: you won't run into an easier problem than this.(Fun with FUNDAMENTALS)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Kristy Klutzmeier swore she'd never own an SUV, but her insurance agent's loaner is beginning to win her over. She's using it for the third time in as many months, and it was the agent, in fact, who called to inform Kristy that the damage from...