Motion System Design articles from May 2007

Motion System Design archives from May 2007

C. Walton Musser: this month, we review the life of C. Walton Musser--prolific inventor and father of the harmonic drive--for inspiration and ideas.(Did you know)(Clarence Walton Musser)(Biography)
May 1, 2007... True brilliance is often clothed in humble attire. It makes its presence known not in lofty words, but in the unassuming language of honesty and wonder. Such is the life of C. Walton Musser, a man of diverse interests who enjoyed sharing his...

Fly like an eagle.(National Association of Manufacturers report on state of manufacturing companies)
May 1, 2007... Late last year, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) released a report on the state of U.S. manufacturing that would surprise many people. In contrast to the bleak picture so often portrayed on TV and in newspapers, The Facts About...

Optical scanning: the Ferrari of motion control: have you driven a Ferrari lately? A close second just may be the supercharged speed and accuracy of motion control's high-tech killer app--servo controlled optical scanning systems.(PROGRAMMABLE Automation: Mechatronics in motion)
May 1, 2007... Optical scanning can rightfully be termed the Ferrari of motion control applications because the required speed and accuracy is typically an order of magnitude or two faster than conventional motion control systems. Optical scanners control the...

Out with mechanical, in with electrical: the speed of a driven shaft can be varied by mechanical methods, but electrical drives often perform better.(Motors and drives)
May 1, 2007... Most mechanical linkages for speed adjustment work well and are easy to understand. However, maintenance can become a headache in both labor and replacement costs. Too, if machinery is upgraded to operate more quickly, mechanical solutions must...

Winning with teamwork: tame multiaxis systems by distributing control tasks across peer-to-peer networks.(Distributed control)
May 1, 2007... Growing throughput demand in high-tech equipment--machines used in semiconductor manufacturing, electronic assembly, and medical automation in particular--is a source of continual challenge for today's motion controllers. Not only does it...

Moving limits for pneumatics: both very slow and extremely fast motion pose challenges to pneumatics. A few design subsystems can extend their practical speeds.(Engineering extremes)
May 1, 2007... In applications where pneumatics are required to operate at the slow end of their normal speed range--say, around 0.5 in./sec on average--friction poses the biggest problem. That's because the relative magnitude of stick-slip friction becomes...

Capacitive sensors.(Product Spotlight: Linear displacement sensors)
May 1, 2007... Elite series non-contact sensors measure very small displacements of conductive materials with high resolution in precise positioning applications. Features & benefits * 0.01 to 10 mm measuring ranges; 1 nm resolution * CPL190 and...

Encoder position sensors.(Product Spotlight: Linear displacement sensors)
May 1, 2007... R-series sensors offer fast data processing and accurate sensing for servo control applications. Features & benefits * Use Temposonics magnetostrictive technology and provide same absolute serial encoder interface as in CNCs and motion...

Displacement transducers.(Product Spotlight: Linear displacement sensors)
May 1, 2007... Compact WA and WI inductive displacement transducers are made for measurements with close to infinite resolution, 80 mV/V sensitivity, and IP67 protection. Features & benefits * WA has maximum measuring length of 500 mm; accuracy of...

Magnetostrictive position sensors.(Product Spotlight: Linear displacement sensors)
May 1, 2007... Posichron PCST27 sensors are absolute, contact, and wear-free sensors rated to IP69K for underwater use in hydraulic cylinders. Features & benefits * Operating pressure to 5,800 psi; 19 ft measuring range * Analog output of 0-10 V,...

Programming software: machine designers and end-users alike know that software choices can make or break project deadlines and maintenance schedules. But how does an engineer pick the "right" software? In this forum, Motion System Design editors speak with industry experts about software trends.(Productivity forum)
May 1, 2007... HOW DOES PROGRAMMING SOFTWARE AFFECT HUMAN PRODUCTIVITY WITH REGARD TO THE DESIGN AND OPERATION OF INDUSTRIAL MOTION SYSTEMS? Nipun * NI: Creating a differentiated machine at a lower cost than the competition and getting it to market...

SL2 stainless steel based slide system.(Media MART)
May 1, 2007... The HepcoMotion[R]SL2 is a corrosion resistant system available assembled or in component form allowing for maximum flexibility. Offering an extensive range of slides and bearing assemblies, the SL2 also offers specially treated aluminum...

Hydraulic dampers.(Media MART)
May 1, 2007... Ace Controls offers a durable line of gas springs for lifting and counterbalancing loads. In addition, Ace hydraulic dampers are the economical choice for solving your automation damping problems. Contact ACE Controls for your free catalog :...

Precision mechanical components.(Media MART)
May 1, 2007... 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...

Track Roller & Cam Follower solutions.(Media MART)
May 1, 2007... 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...

Krytox[R] Fluorinated lubricants.(Media MART)
May 1, 2007... Krytox[R] Fluorinated Greases and Oils are: Chemically inert. Insoluble in common solvents. Thermally stable. Temperature range (-103[degrees] to 800[degrees]F). Nonflammable. Nontoxic. Oxygen Compatible - safe for oxygen service. Low Vapor...

Innovations in Automation 2007.(Media MART)
May 1, 2007... B&R's Innovations 2007 brochure presents the latest products and trends for machine automation. Learn more about integrated safety technology, compare the most advanced Industrial PCs and control solutions or simply stay up to date. Get your...

Fixed flow controls: "for cylinder speed rate".(Media MART)
May 1, 2007... Precision orifices for bidirectional flow or unidirectional flow metering. The flow metering devices are available in brass or stainless steel. Connection styles include 6/32 and 10/32 UNF threads; pipe connections--1/8, 1/4, 3/8 & 1/2" NPT;...

Automation Direct's volume 11 free catalog.(Media MART)
May 1, 2007... AutomationDirect's volume 11 catalog offers 6,000 industrial automation products for a wide range of applications. The latest volume is loaded with over 1,900 pages featuring product descriptions, technical data, photos, and price lists for...

Robots invade Georgia Dome: more than 10,000 students competed in the 15th annual FIRST Championship, which aims to engage high school and elementary students in science, technology, engineering, and math.(What's new)
May 1, 2007... More than 300 robots entered the ring April 12 to 14 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta to compete in the annual FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Championship. Robots in the Varsity Challenge were built and driven...

BSA brands itself as an educator.(What's new)
May 1, 2007... The Bearing Specialists Association (BSA), Glen Ellyn, Ill., and its Educational Services Committee has developed a new education brand that ties all of its educational materials together. The first move of the branding development was to...

New product line opens doors to automation.(What's new)
May 1, 2007... Process measurement and control company Omega Engineering Inc., Stamford, Conn., expanded its product offerings to include a line of automation components, billed under the Omegamation name. The company has added sensors, PLCs, HMI, enclosures,...

Nanoscale device measures up.(What's new)
May 1, 2007... Measuring miniscule vibratory movements on scanning tunneling microscopes (STMs) may soon be accomplished with a new nanoscale apparatus developed by JILA, a joint venture of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the...

Name change streamlines product lines.(What's new)(Feedback Business Unit of Danaher Industrial Controls Group is now called Dynapar Corp.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... The Feedback Business Unit of Danaher Industrial Controls Group changed its name to Dynapar, combining the Dynapar, NorthStar, Harowe, Hengstler, and Acuro encoder and resolver brands into a single entity for rotary feedback products in North...

Cable, hose carriers.(Products)
May 1, 2007... Decril carriers are chain-based systems that move cables and hoses with a lightweight construction. Features & benefits * Plastichain protects against cuts, tension, distortions, and stresses * Technichain suits high-duty cycles...

VFD motor control.(Products)
May 1, 2007... Single input interface VFD motor control allows quick and easy operation of conveyor systems and is designed for plug-and-play connection. Features & benefits * 0.5 hp motor; 2.4 A output; motor overload protection * 115 V...

PCI fieldbus cards.(Products)
May 1, 2007... Miniature PCI fieldbus cards for Profibus, CANopen, DeviceNet, and Ethernet networks save control cabinet space by reducing size of PC and optimize controllers for speed and real-time tasks. Features & benefits * PCs are equipped with...

Operator panel.(Products)
May 1, 2007... Automation panel 800 is a closed-display, modular, flat unit that is used to operate and observe machines and systems. Features & benefits * Mounting on swing arm systems allows for ergonomic placement *15 in. XGA display with...

Linear ball-screw stage.(Products)
May 1, 2007... ATS115 stage is protected from contamination through the use of side seals and an aluminum hard-cover. Features & benefits * Travels to 600 mm; speeds to 300 mm/sec * NEMA 23 flange-mounting interface for motor attachment *...

Two-wire sensors.(Products)
May 1, 2007... Two-wire dc sensors reduce cabling and number of connection points by up to 33% compared to conventional three-wire products. Features & benefits * Embeddable and non-embeddable formats with plug or cable connection * 10 to 65 Vdc...

Magnetic ring encoder.(Products)
May 1, 2007... MBR magnetic ring encoder offers inherent contamination immunity, large alignment tolerances, and non-enclosed, extended temperature ranges for easy mounting to rotary tables and motor shafts. Features & benefits * Continuous ring,...

Twin rod cylinders.(Products)
May 1, 2007... P5TT and P5TD series twin rod cylinders are designed for light-duty, non-rotational and bearing-guided linear motion applications. Features & benefits * Dual-bore cylinders deliver maximum force * Internal bumpers extend stroke...

Stepmotors.(Products)
May 1, 2007... CT series stepmotors are smaller and provide more torque with less power than standard hybrid stepmotors and improve operating efficiency and machine throughput. Features & benefits * Standard and custom NEMA 17, 23, and 34 frame sizes...

Dc gearmotor.(Products)
May 1, 2007... MMP-TM55-90-12V GPk52-124 low-speed, dc gearmotor accepts any 12 V dc source, including battery power. Features & benefits * 2.14 in. diameter and 7.2 in. long; keyed output shaft of 12 mm diameter x 25 mm long * 124 lb-in....

High-flex cables.(Products)
May 1, 2007... Motion series cables feature shielded power and signal wires in one cable for one, two, or three servo axes. Features & benefits * Made for 1, 2, and 3 kW servomotors * Wires encapsulated in glass-clear silicone in a solid,...

Machine vision cameras.(Products)
May 1, 2007... FireDragon progressive scan cameras use FireWire-B technology for transfer rates of 800 Mbps. Features & benefits * Eight models offer less signal distortion, increased throughput, and added versatility due to backwards compatibility...

Clean room in a microcosm.(PROGRAMMABLE Automation News)
May 1, 2007... Small pharmaceutical manufacturers are often forced to create large clean room areas to house their production facilities, which can be a major expense for a small company. One machine builder hopes to change all that. K-Systems International...

Machinery production sees worldwide growth.(PROGRAMMABLE Automation News)
May 1, 2007... Good news for machinery manufacturers and their automation providers--machinery production in the Americas has experienced strong growth since 2002 with total output forecast to reach $180 billion by 2010, according to the latest statistics...

U.S. packaging machinery exports on the rise.(PROGRAMMABLE Automation News)
May 1, 2007... New data released by the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute PMMI), based on U.S. Census estimates, shows strong growth in packaging machinery exports. From January through November 2006, U.S. exports increased 7% compared to 2005,...

Web contents.(Motion System Design's website)(Groschopp Inc. enhances desktop calculator)(AutomationDirect provides video tutorial )(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... Have you stopped by Motion System Design's website lately? Our site is updated regularly to include online-exclusive content, like in our Knowledge FAQtory, a forum dedicated to bringing you information unique to our online home. We also...