Motion System Design articles from May 2006

Motion System Design archives from May 2006

Out with the glass, in with the steel: counting light pulses isn't the only way encoders measure linear position. Measuring variations in an electromagnetic field also does the job--faster and often more reliably.(linear encoders)
May 1, 2006... Rotary and linear encoders are standard equipment in today's automated motion systems. Both types, generally, are optically based, relying on light passing through or reflecting off a scale and then interpreted by opto-electronics. For rotary...

Herman Falk: this month, we review the life of Herman Falk, champion of herringbone gears in the United States, for inspiration and ideas.(Did you know)
May 1, 2006... Herman Falk was the son of an immigrant brewmaster who, in 1848, left Bavaria and settled in America to make beer. After Franz died, Herman and his three brothers inherited their father's successful Milwaukee brewery--but following a fire in...

Mask-a-raid: don't let this problem run you over.(Problem 287)
May 1, 2006... Coco the raccoon could not go on. Ever since the town where he lived had made everyone switch to refuse cans, the bags of garbage he so easily used to rip open were no longer available. So Coco sulked along, blind to the fact that he was...

Win a USB digital I/O device.
May 1, 2006... The winner of this month's problem receives a portable NI USB 6501 device from National Instruments Corp., Austin, Tex. It provides reliable data acquisition and control, and with plug-and-play connectivity, suits home, academic, laboratory,...

Winner for problem #285.(Fun with fundamentals)
May 1, 2006... The winner of Problem #285, "Sweet Serves," is Titus Chen of International Paper, August, Ga. He claims the grand prize of a pocket digital multimeter from Meterman Test Tools, Everett, Wash. Congratulations, Titus! Solution to ...

Of mice, men, and machines.(technology usage)
May 1, 2006... Technology is neither good nor bad--it just is. Think of the damage you can do with a hammer. Yet, a hammer can be used to roof a house. The same goes for more sophisticated tools: A jetliner can be used like a missile to murder thousands as we...

Catalog CD.(Media MART)
May 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...

Precision mechanical components.(Media MART)
May 1, 2006... 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...

IndraMotion for Packaging.(Media MART)
May 1, 2006... IndraMotion for Packaging is Rexroth's new integrated Motion Logic control system for food and packaging. These systems are designed to meet your specific requirements with a choice of basic, enhanced, and/or advanced configurations. Each...

Shock absorbers.(Media MART)
May 1, 2006... New ACE Controls catalog on its full line of industrial and safety shock absorbers, as well as feed controllers. Products include: award winning Magnum Group and SC2 Heavyweight Series for decelerating loads, preventing impact damage, dampening...

New miniature slide system with high load capabilities.(Media MART)
May 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...

Lee Controls Linear Ball Bearings.(Media MART)
May 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...

Rexroth modular automation solutions.(Media MART)
May 1, 2006... Rexroth's automation components and systems allow a single architecture or development environment to be adapted to a broad range of flexible needs. Included are motors, drives, controls, HMIs, I/O, and software that provide drive-, PLC-, PC-,...

2006 Sprayon[R] Challenge.(Media MART)
May 1, 2006... Krylon Products Group announces the year-long Sprayon[R] Challenge, providing the opportunity to sample great Sprayon products and an opportunity to win a great prize! From January 1 through December 31, 2006, visit www.sprayonchallenge.com to...

A compact, belt-driven unit ideal for pharmaceutical packaging.(Media MART)
May 1, 2006... The HepcoMotion[R] PDU2 Profile Driven Linear Transmission Unit is compact, modular, cost-effective, and satisfies most application parameters. Mechanically simple yet innovative, PDU2's design offers advanced engineering materials, proven belt...

Andantex motion control catalog.(Media MART)
May 1, 2006... This new catalog features high precision motion control components & systems, serving the automation, machine tool builder, converting & printing industries. Featured are rack & pinion axis drives, servo-reducers, 2-speed spindle drives,...

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

Track Roller & Cam Follower solutions.(Media MART)
May 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...

Three steps to better converting; designing faster, more accurate converting systems is a matter of knowing the process, configuring the right motion components, and selecting a controller with the ability to accurately control multiple servo axes.(Motion in packaging)
May 1, 2006... In virtually every industry, in the process of manufacturing products, there is some type of conversion required to transform raw or unfinished materials into end product. It may be converting bulk rolls of paper into flat sheets, for example,...

Reeling in efficiency with cast rotors.(motion system design research)
May 1, 2006... An ac induction rotor starts as a stack of steel plates stamped with slots. Either molten aluminum is injected into the slots and flowed over the ends, or (in very large motors) bars of aluminum or copper are pushed through them to form...

Hexapod systems join international telescope project.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Physik Instrumente (PI), Auburn, Mass., will provide 25 six-axis hexapod alignment systems and motion controllers to Vertex Antenna Systems, a daughter of General Dynamics C4 Systems. The custom high-precision micro-positioning systems will be...

Key word search now available on industry website.(What's new)(DirectIndustry.com)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... DirectIndustry.com has made itself more user-friendly with a new search tool that lets engineers look for key words within PDF documents. Company sources say this may be one of the first websites offering such advanced search options. ...

Security, Hollywood-style: Biometrics increases pharmaceutical security and compliance.(What's new--Industry focus: Pharmaceutical)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The addition of Biometric capabilities to Proficy HMI/SCADA iFIX 4.0 software from GE Fanuc Automation, Charlottesville, Va., increases safety and compliance in the operation of pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing processes. ...

Encoders sprouting up in fields.(What's new)
May 1, 2006... Spring has sprung, but seasonal rains won't always be necessary to feed crops, thanks to the help of large programmable irrigation systems that let farmers program water output in patterns and direct chemical layout. This improves crop yield...

Ready, set, program.(Programming and software)
May 1, 2006... Appropriate programming models raise performance metrics, such as speed and accuracy, for automated machines. By choosing the most applicable model, designers can optimize their control software. Software programs contain instructions that...

All work and no play ...: miniature ball bearings are an integral part of precision machinery. However their small size makes them less forgiving of improper radial and axial play.(Shafts and bearings)
May 1, 2006... Miniature and instrument ball bearings are used in high-precision mating parts to control movement and provide rotational and oscillating functionality. Aircraft, pick-and-place robots, computers, flow meters, and medical instruments are just...

Pneumatic valves, FRLs.(Pneumatic solutions)
May 1, 2006... Maximatic valves, FRLs, and components can be used in packaging, assembly, and manufacturing. Features & benefits * Available as 3-way, 4-way, single and double solenoid, and 3 and 4-way air piloted valves * Valves available from...

Pneumatic actuator.(Pneumatic solutions)
May 1, 2006... Pressurized air control (PAC) actuator II does not require system upgrades or special engine modifications for use in lawn and garden tools. Features & benefits * 3 3/4 in. stroke pulls in 100 lb in 2 sec * Smooth engagement...

Hollow shaft encoder.(Products)
May 1, 2006... HS35 hollow shaft encoder offers high resolution through robust electronics that multiply internal signals without degrading accuracy. Features & benefits * Interpolative multiples of 2xto 16x provide up to 80,000 cycles/turn *...

Cleanroom conveyors.(Products)
May 1, 2006... Quickdraw conveyor system offers a low-profile rail for greater flexibility in a 50% smaller footprint. Features & benefits * Sealed ball bearings eliminate service or belt replacements * 2 7/8 in. high; 1 1/2 in. wider than...

Precision-honed couplings.(Products)
May 1, 2006... Precision honed rigid couplings allow strict shaft-alignment control when both straight bores must be collinear. Features & benefits * One or two-piece styles in aluminum, black oxide carbon steel, and stainless steel * Bore sizes...

Digital signal controllers.(Products)
May 1, 2006... Both the F2809 and F2802 flash-based and C2801 and C2802 custom ROM-based 32-bit controllers feature 150-psec resolution. Features & benefits * Mixed 16/32-bit instruction set improves code density * PWM output provides 16 bits of...

Timing belts.(Products)
May 1, 2006... Arc-Power 15 polyurethane timing belts and pulleys outperform conventional timing belts due to their arc-shaped design. Features & benefits * Continuous tooth engagement reduces vibration and noise * Open-ended, welded, or endless...

High-voltage indexers.(Products)
May 1, 2006... MS Series of high-precision programmable indexers feature internal power supply. Features & benefits * Run on 380 to 480-Vac three-phase without an auxiliary transformer * Wire directly to plant power, eliminating time and expense...

Ethernet/IP interface.(Products)
May 1, 2006... Motion Coordinator Ethernet/IP interface connects any servo or stepper controller handling 1 to 24 axes to a master PLC. Features & benefits * Plugs into MC206X, MC224, and Euro205X controllers * Programming lets master PLC...

Brushless servomotors.(Products)
May 1, 2006... MDM-5000 high energy brushless servomotors provide high-torque density in a customizable platform. Features & benefits * Three sizes--60, 85, 110 mm * 0.5 to 14.1 Nm continuous stall torque * Speeds of 6,000 to 8,000 rpm ...

Plug-and-play cable assemblies.(Products)
May 1, 2006... Off-the-shelf cable assemblies integrate with motors, drives, DeviceNet, Ethernet, and ControlNet applications. Features & benefits * Molded, pre-assembled cable connectors for motors and drives feature environmental seals and integral...

Fixed-distance slot sensors.(Products)
May 1, 2006... SLM series metal-slot sensors sense objects as small as 0.30 mm passing between its fixed distance, opposed-mode emitter and receiver. Features & benefits * 10, 30, 50, 80, 120, and 220 mm slot widths * 500 [mu] sec response *...

Electric linear actuator.(Products)
May 1, 2006... DGEA cantilever electric linear actuator stabilizes the slide while the profile moves axially. Features & benefits * Speeds to 3 m/sec; repeatability to [+ or -]0.05 mm; strokes to 1,000 mm * 18, 25, and 40-mm sizes * In-line...

Motion analysis software.(Products)
May 1, 2006... ML10 laser calibration system utilizes QuickView software to analyze linear or angular positioning accuracy, velocity, and acceleration in real-time. Features & benefits * Measurements down to 1 nm or 0.01 arc/sec resolution *...

Bipolar chopper drive.(Product spotlight: Servos & Steppers)
May 1, 2006... DCS4020 bipolar chopper drive is easy to set up and use, featuring a single-power connection and ready-to-run motor and drive. Features & benefits * Controls include full or half-stepping and directional and output-enable control ...

Servo-controller package.(Product spotlight: Servos & Steppers)
May 1, 2006... Model 940 PositionServo combines a high-performing servo drive with a simple and robust motion controller. Features & benefits * Suits centralized and decentralized applications * Basic-like language for indexing and positioning;...

Servodrive system.(Product spotlight: Servos & Steppers)
May 1, 2006... XtraDrive servo system solves problems with flexibility, tuning, and compatibility in high-precision motion systems. Features & benefits * Adaptive control eliminates system retuning by accommodating changing load requirements *...

Servodrives.(Product spotlight: Servos & Steppers)
May 1, 2006... Allen-Bradley Kinetix 7000 drives integrate with logic controllers, servomotors, and actuators. Features & benefits * Continuous output power from 22 to 150 kW * Offer asynchronous motor support, as well as synchronous permanent...

Hybrid stepping motor.(Product spotlight: Servos & Steppers)
May 1, 2006... Size 11 hybrid stepmotor features high torque in a small package. Features & benefits * Rare earth magnets generate 18 oz-in. torque * Magnetic circuit minimizes cogging torque for smooth motion * Measures 1.1 [in..sup.2] x 1.2...

Dc servomotor.(Product spotlight: Servos & Steppers)
May 1, 2006... The MS15 series servomotor offers high size/weight power performance with dual-stage dynamic balancing, IP67 ratings, stainless-steel shafts, and bi-directional operation. Features & benefits * Speeds to 10,000 rpm; continuous torque...