Motion System Design articles from September 2004

Motion System Design archives from September 2004

Stop the press.(In the Loop)(American press)
September 1, 2004... Skyscrapers rise to incredible heights and stand in impressive glory thanks in large part to an unseen network of columns, beams, and trusses. The United States likewise defies gravity, ascending on an invisible framework a masterfully...

Truth or consequences?(In Response)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... It may have happened in the past--but not to this scale--that a growing segment of Americans want this great country not to prosper. I can't imagine why, but there's no other explanation for many of the things we see and hear today. I wish...

Wake up call.(In Response)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... Despite the occasional flack you get for "non-technical" editorials, I like your choices. Engineers have a life, and the overall culture is far more significant in the long run than just the latest manufacturing forecasts. I think this is the...

Press on.(In Response)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... I just read your editorial on page 6 of the August issue of Motion System Design. I was glad to see your comments about an upswing in manufacturing as predicted by the Association for Manufacturing Technology. You're right, this won't get much...

Fasteners in space.(tools used in spacecrafts)
September 1, 2004... When the Cassini-Huygens spacecraft entered Saturn's orbit this summer, it had to be able to handle the vibration, shock, and temperature extremes of a rocket launch. In addition, the Huygens probe has to dive into the atmosphere of Titan,...

Lasers go industrial.(Laser Detection and Ranging)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Lasers, already used for everything from price scanning at supermarkets to eye surgery, could change large-scale manufacturing, remote sensing, defense, and construction industries. A new report from the National Institute of Standards and...

DSP keeps electric scooters fast and eco-friendly.(Vectrix Corp.)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Thanks in part to a digital signal controller from Texas Instruments, Houston, lightweight electric motor scooters from Vectrix Corp. offer performance and acceleration levels that match 250-cc gasoline-powered motorcycles--without the...

Learn more about motors.(What's New)
September 1, 2004... The Electrical Apparatus Service Association presents the following two seminars this fall, open to members and non-members. Principles of Large AC Motors--Oct. 1-2, Charlotte Discusses motor applications, safety considerations, vibration,...

Conference focuses on motors and drives.(What's New)
September 1, 2004... The focus of SMMA The Motor & Motion Association's Fall Technical Conference is enabling technologies for the motors and drives industry. The conference runs Nov. 3 to 5 at the Marriott St. Louis Airport Hotel. Topics and speakers are organized...

Galil Motion Control Inc.(Company news)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Galil Motion Control Inc., Rocklin, Calif., has promoted Wayne Baron, chief technical officer and vice president of engineering, to president and chief executive officer. Baron assumes the position from Dr. Jacob Tal, who will now serve as...

Omron Corp.(Company news)
September 1, 2004... Omron Corp. announces that it will establish, as part of its Industrial Automation Business Co., a new facility in Shanghai to strengthen and integrate Chinese design, development, and manufacturing functions, as well as offer a customer...

Turck Inc.(Company news)
September 1, 2004... Turck Inc., Minneapolis, has acquired 100% of the shares of InterlinkBT, an independent industrial network company. The acquisition combines sensing, connectivity, networks, and interface technologies into one for all automation goals.

Journal bearing stiction.(jerky stick slip motion)
September 1, 2004... a simple one-piece sleeve is sometimes better for reducing friction than complex rolling-element bearings. Besides being greaseless, journal bearings can be made out of high-tech plastics for weight and cost savings, not to mention less wear....

Extend bearing life--for free; many bearing failures can be prevented by proper handling.(Bearing Life)(methods of handling bearings)
September 1, 2004... MOUNTING PRECAUTIONS When handling bearings, it is important to keep them clean. Dirt and other contaminants are a major cause of early failure. So observe the following precautions: * Mount bearings using clean tools in clean work...

On lock down: retaining rings fasten components on shafts and in housing bores. They are secured on grooves to create a shoulder that holds assemblies in place.(Retaining Rings)
September 1, 2004... With nothing to hold them in place, shafts and other components can easily walk out of fixtures during operation. Like traditional screws, bolts, and cotter pins, retaining rings prevent moving components from vibrating loose--but they're more...

Staying power: whether it's keeping oil overspray or harmful ingredients to a minimum, tackifiers and dispensing systems make the messy proposition of machinery lubrication better contained--and more effective.(Lubrication)
September 1, 2004... Oil is more common as an industrial lubricant because it flows so easily into critical areas. However, oil reservoirs aren't always reliable--or even possible. Picture an overhead conveyor system with spray-lubricated wheels, where the oil...

Precision and accuracy: Motion System Design talks with industry experts to find out exactly what you need to know about precision and accuracy.(Design By Objective)(interview)(Interview)
September 1, 2004... Define precision and accuracy. What is considered leading edge? Kerk Motion: Precision and accuracy are the exactness with which something is done in the context of a specified requirement. The requirements are different for every industry....

Power goes from steam to dream; a retrofit of a paper mill increases capacity and delivers encoderless operation.(Field Report)
September 1, 2004... A Georgia Pacific Gypsum Paper mill in an Leandro, Calif., sources its own corrugated and flyleaf wastepaper and supplies eight-ply face- and back-side paper to G-P gypsum board plants. A steam turbine, part of the original construction,...

A clutch combination: a clutch-slip device powers and protects a line of professional hedge trimmers.(Field Report)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... A line of powerful edge trimmers from U.K.-based Bosch needed a clutch mechanism that could disengage the oscillating blade if the operator took his hands off the grips. And when engaged, the clutch had to supply enough torque to cut through...

Easy-to-use vision sensors.(Sensors & Signals)
September 1, 2004... PresencePlus P4 GEO vision sensors from Banner Engineering Corp., Minneapolis, inspect for correct features regardless of product orientation or position in the sensor's field of view--eliminating expensive and complex mechanical fixtures. ...

Explosion-proof wireless I/O.(Sensors & Signals)
September 1, 2004... Wireless I/O systems can be safely installed in Div. 1 areas thanks to the XANT explosion-proof system from Phoenix Contact Inc., Harrisburg, Pa. The transmitter/receiver system uses spread spectrum frequency hopping techniques to guarantee a...

Ethernet training.(Sensors & Signals)
September 1, 2004... Wago Corp., offers a free three-day seminar on industrial Ethernet control. Attendees receive an introduction to Wago I/O-System hardware, an overview of industrial Ethernet components and protocols, and a hands-on IEC 61131-3 programming...

Sensor mounts.(Sensors & Signals)
September 1, 2004... A mount assembly from Stafford Mfg. Co., Wilmington, Mass., securely holds sensors in place and permits rapid changeover. Available with 12, 18, and 30-mm-ID threads on the collar and in several sizes from 1 to 6 in, high. FEATURES &...

Reversing controls.(Spotlight: adjustable speed drives)
September 1, 2004... The 130 Series reversing control is designed for PM and shunt wound dc motors to 2hp. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Solid-state dynamic braking circuits eliminate contact arcing and failed braking * Zero-speed detect circuit eliminates...

Dc-powered gearmotors.(Spotlight: adjustable speed drives)
September 1, 2004... GF-bdlc gearmotors provide up to 300 lb-in. of output torque over a variable sped range of 1 to 30 rpm. FEATURES & BENEFITS * 2.25-in. double ball bearing brushless motor provides ultra-quiet operation * Optional features...

More power for BLDC speed controllers.(Spotlight: adjustable speed drives)
September 1, 2004... BX Series brushless dc speed control systems available in 200 and 400 W. FEATURES & BENEFITS * 100:1 speed ratio, eight speed settings * Constant torque from 30 to 3,000 rpm * 0.05% speed regulation relative to load and...

Ac induction, reversible gearmotors.(Spotlight: adjustable speed drives)
September 1, 2004... The SEI line of ac induction and reversible gearmotors is available for applications from less than 0.67 to 390 lb-in. FEATURES & BENEFITS * 4,6, 10, 15,25,40,60,90, 120, and 140-W motors * Motors integrated with 3:1 to 180:1 ratio...

Brushless servo control.(Spotlight: adjustable speed drives)
September 1, 2004... The FlexDrivell brushless servo control is available in 460 Vac and accepts [+ or -] 10-Vdc input velocity or torque command or master encoder follower input. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Protected against over-current, -temperature,...

Positioning slide mount.(Linear Corner)
September 1, 2004... The Thomson Piloted RediMount system lets ball-screw-driven slides mount horizontally or vertically, inclined or inverted, to most motors. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Mounts slides with guaranteed alignment * Incorporates intermediate...

High-load ball screws.(Linear Corner)
September 1, 2004... UltraThust high load-carrying ground ball screws offer dynamic ratings to 1 million N. FEATURES & BENEFITS * 15-mm-diameter load-carrying balls * Six sizes (dia. x pitch, ram): 50 x 20, 63 x 20, 63 x 30, 80 x 20, 80 x 40, and...

Continuous-flex cables for mobile machines.(Products)
September 1, 2004... Chainflex continuous-flex cables are designed for installation in Energy Chain cable carriers for use on automated mobile machinery. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Conductors bundled, not layered * Cable core remains stable, even under...

Press-fit couplings.(Products)
September 1, 2004... BK6 Series press-fit couplings are designed for axial mounting and feature a keyed tapered hub design that speeds mounting and dismounting. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Stainless-steel bellow simultaneously compensates for axial, angular,...

Tough position sensors.(Products)
September 1, 2004... The RS80 rotary position sensor is sealed with a two-part epoxy coating for protection against hostile environments. FEATURES & BENEFITS * High-strength polymer housing with fiberglass reinforcing * Integral weather-tight connector...

Two-wire brushless dc blower.(Products)
September 1, 2004... A high-speed, 24-V brushless dc blower features embedded drive and commutation electronics to provide a two-wire input. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Balanced impeller and rotor reduces vibration and noise * 3.4 in. dia. x 2.64 in. long...

Cable and hose carriers.(Products)
September 1, 2004... The Nylatrac Automation line of cable and hose carriers is designed for high speeds and accelerations. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Suitable for plotters, medical equipment, amusement industry, packaging equipment * Quiet Track carriers...

Guided actuators.(Products)
September 1, 2004... The EMY2 electric rodless guided actuator handles forces to 70 lb, with stroke lengths from 50 to 1,000 mm. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Can be actuated using two PLC outputs like a solenoid valve * Four status outputs and five LEDs for...

Tapered roller bearings.(Products)
September 1, 2004... Duraspexx Power Rating Series roller bearings are said to offer a 23% rating increase over standard bearings. FEATURES & BENEFITS * 8 to 84in. OD * 2x the normal catalog life TIMKEN CORP. Canton, Ohio (330) 471-4392...

Ac motors.(Products)
September 1, 2004... Black Max, Blue Max 2000, and Blue Chip XRI have been added to the Marathon line of ac motors. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Outputs: 1/4 to 30 hp (Black Max), 40 to 100 hp (Blue Max 2000), 40 to 100 hp (Blue Chip XRI) * Inverter and...

Laser measurement sensors.(Products)
September 1, 2004... ZX laser measurement sensors feature a single amplifier unit that supports 11 interchangeable sensing heads. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Eight visible red laser reflective and three through beam sensing heads available * Reflective...

Profile rail linear guides.(Products)
September 1, 2004... Thomson 500 Series profile rail linear guides come in one-piece lengths to 6 m. FEATURES &BENEFITS * Ball or roller profile configurations * Insert molded recirculation path * Internal grease pockets * Multiple lube inlet...

Plastic sprockets.(Products)
September 1, 2004... Plastic roller chain sprockets extend chain life and wear better than metallic versions. FEATURES & BENEFITS * UHMW, oil-filled nylon, Nylatron sprockets resist corrosion, reduce friction, run quieter * Fit chain sizes #25, 35,...

Brushless dc motor.(Products)
September 1, 2004... The 000-0362 brushless dc motor has an input of 28 V and delivers 45 oz-in. continuous torque. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Efficiency of 85% at load point * Motor diameter of 4.2 in. * Hall-effect sensors included, other...

Solutions for electronic manufacturing.(Products)
September 1, 2004... Brochure covers motion control and positioning systems for assembly, pick and place, laser drilling, stencil cutting, wafer singulation, and optical inspection. AEROTECH INC. Pittsburgh (412) 967-6854 wwvv.aerotech.com Circle 119

Servo drives.(Products)
September 1, 2004... Brushed dc servomotors outperform brushless when driven with MB2 AC Series Servo Drives. FEATURES & BENEFITS * 8, 16, and 24-A versions * Operating modes include current, velocity, and position * Acceptstach, encoder, and...

Web controller.(Products)
September 1, 2004... The Model 5200 Blue Fusion Web controller can control up to 192 I/0 points and up to six axes of motion. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Built-in Web server, bidirectional email support, allowing remote changes in operation * Local data...

0ver-running clutch.(Products)
September 1, 2004... A roller/ramp over-running clutch is 3 in. in diameter and comes in 1 in. bores. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Optimum trade off between load rating, endurance limit, and ease of installation EQUIPMENT CONCEPTS C0. Dayton (937)...

New software compliant with IEC standard.(Products)
September 1, 2004... 759-333 10-PR0 CAA programming software is fully compliant with IEC 61131-3. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Easily program Fieldbus controllers and PCs * Complete off-line simulation * Editors for six common programming languages ...

More sensor options.(Products)
September 1, 2004... R35i encoders combine brushless motor commutation and high-res incremental position signals in a 1.38 x 0.55 in. package. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Three-phase commutation for 4, 6, and 8-pole brushless motors * Resolutions from 250 to...

Sensored linear guides.(Products)
September 1, 2004... ASMA Generation 3-A and 4-A linear guides come with an integrated magnetic encoder and offer resolutions to 4 pm. FEATURES & BENEFITS * 6,000-mm (max) rail lengths * 66 to 90-mm scanhead lengths * Wear-free ceramic sliding...

Proximity sensors.(Products)
September 1, 2004... The IT and IE lines of miniature inductive sensors are 30 mm long and offer 2 mm flush and 4 mm non-flush sensing ranges. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Diameter: 6.5 mm (IT); 8 mm (IE) * Smooth or threaded stainless steel housings *...

Oldham couplings.(Products)
September 1, 2004... Paradrive Oldham couplings have a three-piece design consisting of two hubs and a floating center disk. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Center disc available in acetal (high torsion stiffness/zero backlash) or nylon (shock absorption/vibration...

Linear actuators.(Products)
September 1, 2004... High-force, Size-14 non-captive linear actuators offer 0.00012 to 0.00192-in./step resolution and thrust to 50 lb (23 kg). FEATURES & BENEFITS * Stainless-steel acme leadscrew * Engineered thermoplastic rotor drive nut * Rated...

Slow it. Stop it. Park it.(Media Mart)
September 1, 2004... If it moves, we can help you stop it. Carlisle will design a brake or friction solution to help you control motion. We've got over 50 years experience in developing brakes and friction materials for major OEMs with applications ranging from...

Spiral retaining rings.(Media Mart)
September 1, 2004... 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...

Synchronous products just got better!(Media Mart)
September 1, 2004... 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...

Precision positioning stages.(Media Mart)
September 1, 2004... Kohzu, Japan's premiere manufacturer of precision motion instruments now offers its comprehensive fine el rotary, linear and swivel-arc stages to the American industrial and scientific community. Manual and motorized sub-micron accuracy...

New Reali-Slim[R] bearings catalog.(Media Mart)
September 1, 2004... Save weight, space, and cut manufacturing costs with thin-section bearings Ideal for design of machine tools, loud processing equipment, SME equipment, scientific apparatus, medical, and aerospace products. 112-page catalog gives selection...

Zero backlash couplings.(Media Mart)
September 1, 2004... New from Ruland Manufacturing Company. Inc. Ruland has just issued a new catalog for their Paradrive [TM] Oldham zero backlash couplings. The Paradrive [TM] motion control coupling is designed to handle parallel misalignment. At the same time...

Cleanroom precision positioning table-TC.(Media Mart)
September 1, 2004... IKO Cleanroom precision positioning table TC is suitable for use in an environment requiring high cleanliness such as semiconductor manufacturing equipment and liquid crystal related equipment. Its unique high airtightness structure seals the...

Quiet technology.(Media Mart)
September 1, 2004... A quiet carrier system doesn't have to be a quantum leap. The Nylatrac QT System is a line of standard carriers that have been modified for extremely quiet operation. The QT System delivers the reliability of proven carrier designs, with...

We make the motion ...(Media Mart)
September 1, 2004... ... that makes the world move. R/B/S pro vides our customers with the highest level el quality, extensive engineering expertise, competitive pricing, and outstanding customer service. We stock over 55 standard models ranging in size from .375"...

Efficiency motors.(Media Mart)
September 1, 2004... Baldor Electric Company offers Super-E [R] NEMA Premium [TM] efficiency motors from I 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...

Plain and spherical bearings and linear guide systems.(Media Mart)
September 1, 2004... Updated 400-page iglide [R] bearings catalog showcases high performance plastic bearings made from engineered polymers in 16 different material blends. Plastic bearings are lubrication-free, maintenance-free and will not corrode. Customers can...

Spiral bevel gear drives.(Media Mart)
September 1, 2004... Catalog describes right angle, three way, and counter-rotating high-quality gear drives with stainless steel shaft sizes from 3/8 to 1 inch. Totally sealed, corrosion resistant units have unique locknut assembly to allow for smooth, quiet...

Permanent-magnet motors.(Products)
September 1, 2004... Permanent-magnet motors offer 7.5 to 80-W outputs and 400 lb-in. torque. FEATURES & BENEFITS * 1 to 8,000 rpm * Single, double, and multi-spur reducers * Options include speed controllers, brakes, and tacho-generators ...

Electromechanical clutches.(Products)
September 1, 2004... EC Series wrap-spring clutches are capable of accelerating loads from zero to full speed in under 3 msec. FEATURES & BENEFITS * Consistent rotary motion where cost is critical * 12 or 24 Vdc input, output to 1,400 rpm in clockwise...