Motion System Design articles from October 2006

Motion System Design archives from October 2006

Even better than the real thing: assault rifles use air cylinders to give military and police personnel the real feel of "recoil" during weapons training.(What's new: Industry Focus: Aerospace & Defense)
October 1, 2006... Rather than use real guns with bullets, which is both dangerous and costly, military and police personnel often use modified weapons during their training operations. These modified assault rifles, which shoot bursts of laser light, give them...

LSMs give naval elevators a lift.(What's new: Industry Focus: Aerospace & Defense)
October 1, 2006... Linear synchronous motor technology from MagneMotion Inc., Acton, Mass., is being used on the U.S. Navy's new class aircraft carrier, the CVN 21. Four LSMs have been installed on an advanced weapons elevator on the carrier, offering a vertical...

On a roll: report says roller screws offer high capacity without compromising quality in rotary-to-linear motion applications.(What's new)(Bearing Specialists Association )(Report)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... A new report from the Bearing Specialists Association (BSA) indicates that planetary roller screws are often more effective in converting rotary motion to linear motion. They offer higher static and dynamic capacities, increased rigidity, lower...

Regal Beloit appoints VPs.(What's new)
October 1, 2006... Regal Beloit, Beloit, Wis., has appointed two vice presidents to its executive team. Terry R. Colvin was named vice president of human resources. He will be responsible for field operations, training and development, compensation and...

Students get a boost for robotics competition.(What's new)
October 1, 2006... More than 720 teams in the 14th annual BEST (Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology) Robotics Competition will benefit from free parts kits from igus Inc., East Providence, R.I. BEST Inc., a non-profit, volunteer organization, aims to...

PT/MC market continues to strengthen.(Power Transmission Distributors Association)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Sales of power transmission/motion control equipment continued to rise through the month of May, proving the vitality of the industry, says a report from the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA), Chicago. In May, U.S....

Partnership combines robots and motion control.(What's new)
October 1, 2006... Industrial Indexing Systems Inc., Victor, N.Y., and Toshiba Machine, Elk Grove Village, Ill., have created a sales partnership to sell and integrate Toshiba Machine SCARA and Cartesian robots. The Toshiba Machine SCARA robots are high-speed...

More is more with linear motors.(What's new)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Cutbacks in engineering are driving up the market for complete motion systems, incorporating matched components configured for specific tasks, says an IMS Research study. In the area of direct linear drive, the global market for linear-motor...

DSP to GO: simplify your ac servomotor feedback requirements with a digital signal processor and a little insight into how the motors work.(Motor control)
October 1, 2006... Over the past decade, digital signal processor (DSP) technology has significantly reduced the physical complexity of industrial drives by replacing hardware with real-time embedded software. Today, DSP technology is also being harnessed to...

Clutches, brakes, and inertia: brakes and clutches must overcome external inertia as well as that of the motion system itself.(Brakes and clutches)
October 1, 2006... The optimal size for a clutch or brake is determined by three things: Required torque, thermal horsepower per engagement, and average required thermal horsepower. Here, we'll discuss the first, learning to calculate torque capacity under static...

Get rolling with guide wheels--Part 1 of 2.(MSD Classroom)(power transmission equipment)
October 1, 2006... In a typical machine environment, moving from point A to point B isn't as easy as it may sound. Common obstacles include punishing loads, long spans, heat and humidity, corrosives, abrasives, noise limitations, and unforgiving tolerances as...

New! SRX-150--smaller size, bigger performance.(Media MART)
October 1, 2006... The SRX-150 from Bishop-Wisecarver is a high precision, ready to mount linear actuator wrapped in a compact aluminum profile. Available in belt or ball screw drives, the SRX-150's linear rolling guides are capable of dynamic loads up to 66kN...

Catalog CD.(Media MART)
October 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...

Spiral retaining rings & wave springs.(Media MART)
October 1, 2006... Smalley's complete product line is now available in one easy to navigate catalog. The new catalog includes over 7,000 standard wave springs, spiral retaining rings and snap rings. Smalley's new catalog offers simplified part selection, special...

Efficiency motors.(Media MART)
October 1, 2006... 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...

FHP and VP stock sheaves.(Media MART)
October 1, 2006... Martin now offers FHP (fractional horsepower) and VP (variable pitch) sheaves. Fractional horsepower sheaves are perfect for a wide variety of HVAC applications. They are available in single and double groove designs as both Bored-to-Size and...

Krytox[R] Fluorinated lubricants.(Media MART)
October 1, 2006... 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...

Self-lubricating gear solutions calculated for life.(Media MART)
October 1, 2006... 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...

Miniature turntable bearings save weight and space.(Media MART)
October 1, 2006... Miniature Reali-Slim[R] TT Series turntable bearings from Kaydon save weight, reduce product envelope size and increase design flexibility for turntable applications--including robotics, radar antennae, and factory positioning and inspection...

Applying shaft seals.(Course audit: Advanced learning at your desk, at your pace Part 1 of 2)
October 1, 2006... Shaft seals are used on rotating, reciprocating, and oscillating shafts to contain oil and grease and exclude contaminants. Known as oil or radial lip seals, shaft seals can also contain pressure or separate fluids. They have several key...

Like a rock: maximizing reliability.(Design by objective)
October 1, 2006... You can't keep a good system down: Reliable machines perform their intended functions with few hiccups and no catastrophes, year after year. Electrically and mechanically simple arrangements have the best shot at consistent operation, but with...

Planetary gear ratios.(MSD 101)
October 1, 2006... From a load-capacity point of view, the most suitable gearhead ratio has the highest torque density for the most compact (and cost-effective) package. From an application point of view, the best gearhead ratio for a dynamic automation...

Q & a.
October 1, 2006... What affects a gearset's load rating? The ratio of a gearhead has significant impact on load capacity. For example, say one gearset has a ratio of 3:1. The planets will be small compared to the sun gear. On the other hand, a set with a 10:1...

Engaging constellation: its balls are caged in an asymmetrical array and its output flange is cut with the same array. That's how one torque limiter engages at the same position every time.(Mechanisms and machines)
October 1, 2006... Torque overload devices ensure operator safety and protect machines from excessive loading by disengaging drives from driven components when torque exceeds an upper limit. There are several designs. On the simplest, a pin shears when the...

Miniature linear encoders.(Spotlight: Linear feedback)
October 1, 2006... SR-P40, SR-P200, and SR-P1000 ultra-small encoders use light reflection-diffraction technology to make alignment and adjustment easier than permeable types. Features & benefits * Resolution of 2 [micro]m with maximum speed of 4 m/sec...

Easily-mountable linear encoders.(Spotlight: Linear feedback)
October 1, 2006... LIDA 200 encoders control low-end linear operations in an exposed package. Features & benefits * Same graduations, accuracy, and reliability of 400 series * Grating period of 200 [micro]m for analog systems (for digital systems,...

Position transducer.(Spotlight: Linear feedback)
October 1, 2006... Series M general-capability position transducer gives long displacement range, multiple mounting options, and size efficiency. Features & benefits * Maximum range of 85 in. * Choice of analog (voltage divider or rheostat) or...

Industrial Ethernet sensor.(Spotlight: Linear feedback)
October 1, 2006... R-series EtherCat sensor provides high-speed position feedback and data transfer for industrial Ethernet. Features & benefits * Resolution to 1 [micro]m, speeds to 0.2 mm/sec, and update time of 1 [micro]sec (independent of stroke) ...

High-performing encoder.(Spotlight: Linear feedback)
October 1, 2006... Mercury II encoders offer high resolution, accuracy, and speed in a robust design. Features & benefits * Next-generation optical design and SmartPrecision II electronics * Selectable resolutions from 5 [micro]m to 1.2 nm linear ...

Vibration meter.(Products)
October 1, 2006... HHVB82 vibration meters monitor machinery to detect poor balance, worn bearings, misalignments, and loose fittings. Features & benefits * Measure acceleration to 200 m/sec and velocity to 200 mm/sec * Auto shut-off, built-in stand,...

Long-distance switches.(Products)
October 1, 2006... OPB732 infrared switches have reflective distance of more than 1 in., depending on circuitry. Features & benefits * Infrared LED and phototransistor included; opaque housing reduces sensitivity to ambient light * Light-emitting...

Brush dc motors.(Products)
October 1, 2006... Pittman series 8000 brush-commutated motors feature a 7-slot skewed armature design to minimize cogging (reluctance torque) and promote smooth and quiet operation. Features & benefits * Three lengths--2.070, 2.445, and 2.915 in. *...

Spur gears.(Products)
October 1, 2006... Precision 0.5, 0.8, and 1 module 303 stainless-steel spur gears to ISO class 7 feature a Fairloc integral hub fastener. Features & benefits * 5 to 8 mm face widths fit shafts of 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10 mm diameter * Sizes range from 9...

Linear servomotor.(Products)
October 1, 2006... Low-friction miniature shaft motor is quiet, because linear guide is its only mechanical contact. Features & benefits * 4-mm shaft diameter; 10 _10 mm forcer size; 9 g * Strokes to 40 mm * Coreless construction eliminates...

Reaction torque sensors.(Products)
October 1, 2006... Series 2300 and 2500 strain-gauge reaction torque sensors measure brake torque, bearing friction, and pump or motor torque. Features & benefits * High torsional stiffness, flange mounting * Full-scale capacities from 5,000 to...

LED illuminators.(Products)
October 1, 2006... SpecBright LED illuminators include area lights, line lights, ring lights, and spotlights. Features & benefits * Brightness in a reliable, compact design * UV and IR wavelengths as well as visible spectra * Accessories include...

Tapered roller bearings.(Products)
October 1, 2006... High-carbon, chromium steel tapered roller bearings offer dimensional stability under heavy loads, long life in harsh environments, a durable steel cage, and interchangeability with other bearings. Features & benefits * 15 to 240 mm...

Motion controller.(Products)
October 1, 2006... MC302X DIN rail-mounted motion controller features two axes--one that can be configured for servo or high-speed stepper control, and another as a reference encoder or stepper axis. Features & benefits * Differential line-driver stepper...

Feedback-enabled drives.(Products)
October 1, 2006... Aries all-digital servodrives accept resolver feedback and are less susceptible to temperature, humidity, dust, vibration, and shock. Features & benefits * Seven power ranges from 100 to 3,000 W * 16 A rms continuous and 48 A rms...

Motion control software.(Products)
October 1, 2006... Version 3.04 for motion programming interface controls drives, motors, and I/O. Features & benefits * Integrated, professional C library * Low-latency command-tomotion execution for real-time motion with vision or high-speed I/O...

Force-torque sensors.(Products)
October 1, 2006... FTC sensors simplify difficult automated robotic component assembly operations. Features & benefits * Mechanical compliance and opto-electric measurement of all six degrees of freedom eliminate rise of force at time of contact *...

Linear actuators.(Products)
October 1, 2006... Heavy-duty SRX-150 linear actuators feature a compact, aluminum profile design in belt or ballscrew-driven versions. Features & benefits * Small footprint and double roll moment capacity of similar products * Dynamic loads to 66...

Modular air preparation system.(Pneumatic solutions)
October 1, 2006... Easy-to-assemble FRLs come with mounting brackets and embedded square outlet pressure gauges. Features & benefits * Port sizes from 1/8 to 1 NPT; four sizes have die-cast aluminum and black anodized bodies for corrosion resistance *...

Air cylinders.(Pneumatic solutions)
October 1, 2006... Family of air cylinders comes in compact, ISO, pen-size, and stainless-steel miniature designs. Features & benefits * Compact models have bores from 12 to 100 mm; strokes from 50 to 130 mm * ISO 6431 models have bores from 32 to...

Nice to C-u.(Brushing up)
October 1, 2006... You may have heard that a U.S. penny is now worth more than one cent. Why? It's not the zinc filling, to be sure. It's the precious red coating of copper that imparts monetary value--as well as esthetic value when inserted in loafers. ...

Badger banter: don't get carried away with this problem.(Fun with fundamentals Problem 292)
October 1, 2006... Roger the Badger is set to leave Boston on Flight 473. As he is traveling to compete at the 32nd annual Vole Eating Contest in Muskogee, Oklahoma, he is forced to suffer the insult of having to travel in a carrying case--while his ridiculous...

Vene, vede da Vinci--dimostrazione.(In the loop)
October 1, 2006... Leonardo da Vinci's formula for creativity, described in the prologue of this series, is based on seven behaviors. Previously, we discussed curiosity and how it compels us to learn about our world. Here we examine the next logical step in that...

A member of the creative class.(In Response)(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2006... I just wanted to compliment you on your Leonardo series. These editorials are real keepers. I never cease to be amazed by the editorials of Larry Berardinis--if ever there was a modern-day Leonardo, it's him. So many editors do little more than...

Your land is not my land.(In Response)
October 1, 2006... Regarding your July editorial, I am disgusted that you would publish such ignorant (and I would argue, racist) comments in your magazine. Isn't the magazine supposed to be about engineering, anyway? Carolyn Turk Mechanical Engineer...

Just around the bend.(In Response)(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2006... I just read your insightful editorial in the May 2006 issue. Your comment with respect to the 'uneven split' is more telling than perhaps you recognize. I was an industrial instructor in the late 1970s and (with other instructors) surveyed...

Good vs. evil?(In Response)(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2006... Your May editorial was a nice article. So is technology good or harmful? You can't stop technology; you can either watch it pass by or educate yourself and help push it along. By the way, I don't understand Ford's comment about the public...

Lending a hand.(In Response)
October 1, 2006... Your editorial ("This land is your land") is a fantastic idea! Ideas like these would get more people interested in solving the problem of illegal immigration so that the Minutemen (and others) would get some much needed help. Ken Kalies...