Motion System Design articles from May 2008

Motion System Design archives from May 2008

Copasetic couplings.(BETTER BY Design)
May 1, 2008... Flexible shaft couplings transmit torque from one shaft to another, and redress misalignment between them. The trick is that flexible couplings must act as springs--but maintain high stiffness, too. [GRAPHIC OMITTED] In basic...

Vital stats.(BETTER BY Design)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] On display: NBK XGT flexible coupling Key features: Injected-molded polymer is flexible, but damps shock and impulse-induced vibration, and eliminates all measurable resonance--to 1,000 Hz. What it means to...

A day in the life: Howard Eisenberg, President United Sortation Solutions Owings Mills, Md.(Reader PROFILE)(Interview)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] How many years have you worked in material handling? I've been involved in either manufacturing or material handling for 21 years now. Right out of college, I started working for Westinghouse in their...

Words of wisdom.(In the loop)
May 1, 2008... David F. Giannetto, by any measure, has a tough job. A high-level business consultant who specializes in operations efficiency and management effectiveness, Giannetto is one of those guys executives call when they realize their company is in...

Understanding motion simulation: Part 2 of 2.(Course Audit: Advanced learning at your desk, at your pace)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When computer-aided engineering (CAE) methods became available for design work in the 1980s, finite element analysis (FEA) was the first to be widely adopted. Over the years, it's helped design engineers study the...

Quick draw.(MSD 101)
May 1, 2008... Imagine an ordinary tape measure that provides feedback in electrical rather than visual form. That's the general idea behind draw wire sensors, more commonly known as cable extension transducers (CETs). CETs are ideal for measuring linear...

Stainless-steel shaft collars.(Product Spotlight: Locking Devices)
May 1, 2008... Smooth bore shaft collars in 316 stainless steel suit medical, food processing, and pharmaceutical applications where washdown is required and contamination from corrosion must be avoided. Features & benefits * High resistance to...

High-precision locking collars.(Product Spotlight: Locking Devices)
May 1, 2008... Retaining ClampNuts are accurate, adjustable, and save installation time when positioning and locking to shaft bearings, cams, conveyor rollers, gears, pulleys, sheaves, sprockets, and other adjustable components. Features & benefits ...

Locking bushings.(Product Spotlight: Locking Devices)
May 1, 2008... ETP Express shaft locking bushings provide a strong, yet precise connection between keyless shafts and mounted components. Features & benefits * Low total indicated run-out of less than 0.0008 in., which minimizes component run-out on...

Keyless hub-to-shaft connection system.(Product Spotlight: Locking Devices)
May 1, 2008... Concentric Maxi Torque connection system offers tight run out control, precise component positioning, and eliminates the need for secondary machining, unlike other connection devices such as keyways, set screws, pins, and clamp collars. ...

Wave springs.(New Products)
May 1, 2008... Series of metric Crest-to-Crest wave springs enable OEMs to reduce the size of their assembly by up to 50% while maintaining the same amount of force and deflection as a regular coiled spring. Features & benefits * Minimize assembly...

Profibus communication module.(New Products)
May 1, 2008... Profibus-DP communication module joins DeviceNet, CANopen, and Mod-Bus/RS485 as the fourth communication option for SMVector drives. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Features & benefits * Pop-in modules can be factory-installed or simply...

High-speed camera.(New Products)
May 1, 2008... The i-Speed 3 high-speed video camera combines ease of use with high image quality, portability, and fast speed. Features & benefits * Images are derived from the 1,280 x 1,024 resolution sensor * Controller display unit means it...

Ground ball screws.(New Products)
May 1, 2008... Inch series, pre-loaded, precision ground ball screws deliver smooth performance and high positioning accuracy for a wide range of linear-driving applications in the machine tool industry. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Features & benefits ...

Linear position sensors.(New Products)
May 1, 2008... Temposonics linear position sensors generate up to 20 simultaneous position outputs along a given sensing element, serving as a replacement for traditional proximity sensors. Features & benefits * Stroke ranges greater than 5,000 mm;...

Brush motors.(New Products)
May 1, 2008... TGB2013 brush motors deliver high shaft output power from a small package that is just 2.0 in. in diameter, 3.87 in. long, and weighs only 34 oz. Features & benefits * Ironless-core motor technology suits battery-powered applications...

Cylinder rod boots.(New Products)
May 1, 2008... Custom engineered protective boots for cylinder rods are available for machine tools and other related industries. Features & benefits * Stop rod scoring, prevent nicking, and extend seal life by protecting cylinder rods from chips,...

Motor bearing protection.(New Products)
May 1, 2008... Split-ring version of the AEGIS SGR Bearing Protection Ring comes in halves for easy field installation with little or no disassembly of equipment. Features & benefits * For VFD-controlled ac and dc motors, protects bearings from...

Optical encoder.(New Products)
May 1, 2008... AEDS-9240 series of extended operating temperature optical encoders is designed for use in applications that require lower resolutions and employ dc motors. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Features & benefits * Advanced motion control...

Cable connections.(New Products)
May 1, 2008... RockSolid Connections are high-reliability feedback cable assemblies that are compatible with a variety of industry name brand products, including Rockwell Automation, Rexroth, Indramat, Bosch, Siemens, and Fanuc Robotics. Features &...

Decentralized control.(New Products)
May 1, 2008... Movifit Field Integrated Technology with intelligent decentralized control offers lower cost, simplified installation, and tighter process control to food and beverage applications. Features & benefits * Modular constructions available...

Ac drives.(New Products)
May 1, 2008... High-capacity SJ700 series of inverters features the Sensorless Vector control algorithm to enable it to develop more than 150% starting torque at 0.3 Hz. Features & benefits * Three models--250, 400, and 500 hp * 0 Hz domain...

Linear translation stages.(New Products)
May 1, 2008... Techspec English long travel linear translation stages use rack and pinion positioning with accuracy of 0.01-in. and are designed to allow easy integration of standard English-unit positioning equipment. Features & benefits * Single-...

Two-conductor rotary connector.(New Products)
May 1, 2008... Model 235 two-conductor, rotary connector serves as an alternative to traditional slip ring designs. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Features & benefits * Handles up to 500 V ac or dc and 30 A per conductor with up to 1,200 rpm continuous...

Kit encoder.(New Products)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] RE200 kit encoder comes with choice of locking connector and improves on typical read-head style products by providing six different connector configurations with a variety of output options. Features & benefits...

Ac drives.(New Products)
May 1, 2008... Panel mount StepNet ac drives run directly on 115/240 ac at 7 A peak current, eliminating a separate dc supply. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Features & benefits * Servo mode operation for smooth, quiet stepper motor action *...

Rack and pinion drives: what do today's motion system designers need to know about rack and pinion drives? Where are they best employed, and what are their strengths and shortfalls? See what industry gurus have to say about the modern day version of this age-old drive technology.(Productivity Forum)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] R&P basics How do rack and pinion drives contribute to productivity? John * Atlanta: By allowing machines to run faster, rack and pinion drives increase throughput and efficiency. The quicker a machine can...

Ready for anything: all feedback systems adjust to changing conditions, but adaptive control takes it to the next level.(Adaptive control)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The old gold standard for motion control is ladder logic control, and IEC 61131-3 language capabilities on newer programmable controllers are proof of its enduring practicality. But where rigidly executed control...

Fresh and new, for you.(Web Contents)
May 1, 2008... This month we introduce our redesigned website at www.motionsystemdesign.com. With a cleaner look and easier search tools, you won't want to go anywhere else to find all the latest news and views on motion control and related subjects. See the...

Solve the puzzle, win the prize.(Web Contents)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sharpen your pencils and possibly add $100 to your wallet, thanks to maxon precision motors inc., Fall River, Mass. The company is sponsoring a Crossword Challenge, located at...

Bringing a historical classic into the future: Austria's most famous amusement park soars into the future with flight simulator from Bosch Rexroth.(Industry Focus: Entertainment/Amusement)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The first record of the Prater, one of Vienna's most famous landmarks, was in 1403. The park is home to famous rides like the giant Ferris wheel, built in 1897. It plays host to about 2.7 million visitors each year...

Magnets pin space-station equipment in place.(In Sights)
May 1, 2008... Superconductor technologies designed by researchers at Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., aim to hold space-station modules and satellites in place without tethers or retro-rockets--by magnetically "pinning" them into place. Using unpowered...

Lee Spring celebrates 90th anniversary.(Biz bits)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Lee Spring, Brooklyn, N.Y., is celebrating its 90th anniversary through its "Better Springs Build a Better World" contest. Customers may submit products that have positively impacted our world. Products submitted must contain at least one Lee...

Lenze-AC Tech appoints director of engineering.(Biz bits)(Jim Craig appointed as director of engineering)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Lenze-AC Tech, Uxbridge, Mass., appointed Jim Craig as director of engineering. Craig will direct all new product design, development, and sustaining engineering activities at the Uxbridge facility. Craig, former product manager of High...

PTDA welcomes new members.(Biz bits)(Power Transmission Distributors Association)(Crimson Electric Inc.)(Solutions Industrielles)(Van Meter Industrial)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA), Chicago, recently welcomed six new members. Three companies joined the association as distributor members: * Crimson Electric Inc., Greer, S.C., distributor of mechanical power...

SME hosts annual member event.(Biz bits)
May 1, 2008... The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and its Southeast Michigan chapters will host "A Passion for Manufacturing: 2008 SME Annual Meeting & Interactive 'Unconference,'" May 31-June 3, at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center....

PTO welcomes new board director.(Biz bits)
May 1, 2008... The PTO (Profibus and Profinet North America), Scottsdale, Ariz., has appointed Victor Wolowec to its board of directors. Wolowec is vice president, Solutions Business at Endress+Hauser, a provider of measuring instrumentation and process...

Omron opens Mexico facility.(Biz bits)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Omron, Schaumburg, Ill., opened Omron Electronics de Mexico, S.A., a new regional headquarters in Apodaca, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, on January 23. Under the direction of Ricardo Lomeli, general manager, the company will provide sales and technical...