Motion System Design articles from September 2007

Motion System Design archives from September 2007

Thin sensor gets the skinny on angles.(BETTER by Design)
September 1, 2007... For countless industrial products that have evolved over time, smaller, better, and less expensive is the name of the game. After designing and manufacturing resolvers for more than four decades, Tamagawa Seiki Co. has followed the same...

Handling harsh environments.(Igus Inc. introduces Energy Tubes)(W.L. Gore & Associates Inc. introduce GORE High Flex cable)(Alpha Wire Co. introduces Xtra-Guard cables)
September 1, 2007... If it's not one thing, it's another. Whether your designs are fighting off flying debris, holding their breath in a caustic chemical immersion, or surviving the rigors of extreme heat and humidity, it's your job to protect them. Following are...

Leisurely linear actuation: with these tips and tactics, achieving slow motion is a walk in the park.(Extreme engineering)(Column)
September 1, 2007... How would you like to move a row of 10 water molecules at the rate of human hair growth? If watching paint dry or grass grow is on your list of party favorites, this extreme slow-speed challenge might be right up your alley. If you have more...

Logic and I/O.(Productivity forum)
September 1, 2007... PC. PLC. PAC. Digital motion controller. Today's control system options are many and varied, each offering unique approaches to coding and processing machine commands and feedback signals. In this forum, Motion System Design editors speak with...

Trouble in paradise.(In the loop)(Travel narrative)
September 1, 2007... Two of the largest Amish communities in the world are within a couple of hours of where I live. I developed an attraction to one of those areas in the early 1990s and I try to visit--picturesque Holmes County--a few times each year. On my...

Getting to the root of the problem.(In response)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2007... In your July editorial "Fly like an eagle: Side B," you seconded an alarm about the decline of people studying technology. I too am concerned with an increasing population of students not interested in an engineering career. I do think there's...

Where vision meets sensors: the error-proofing interface: in the quest for perfect parts, a new class of sensors is leading the way to quality control nirvana.(Lessons in Vision)
September 1, 2007... When it comes to the level of quality acceptable in today's manufacturing environment, there is no negotiation. Machines must produce 100% perfect parts all day, all the time, and at ever faster rates at increasingly lower costs. A few...

Power-off brake backlash.(MSD 101)(Column)
September 1, 2007... Power-off brakes, sometimes called safety, spring-set, or failsafe brakes, are widely used on the backs of motors to hold machines, pulleys, Z axes, and robotic arms in position in case of a power failure. They come with various hub (motor...

Inverters.(Product Spotlight: Ac drives)
September 1, 2007... X200-series inverters deliver power and flexibility in a compact contactor-style package. Features & benefits * Power input at top, motor output at bottom of unit * UL, c-UL, CE, and C-certified; RoHS compliant * Safe Stop...

RoHS-compliant ac drives.(Product Spotlight: Ac drives)
September 1, 2007... V1000-series ac drives feature maintenance monitors to ensure drive health, on-line tuning to maintain harmony with motor, and application presets for easier installation. Features & benefits * Suitable for 1/8 to 25 hp motors *...

Variable speed ac drives.(Product Spotlight: Ac drives)
September 1, 2007... X5 UltraFlex ac drives are enclosed for high performance in demanding applications and are easy to set up and maintain. Features & benefits * Up to 200 hp * Real-time clock * Supports most popular communication protocols ...

Modular drives.(Product Spotlight: Ac drives)
September 1, 2007... AC890PX modular ac drives feature pluggable power modules for quick replacement and reduced downtime. Features & benefits * 600 hp and 380 to 690 Vac ratings * Communicates with all protocols, including Ethernet, ProfiBus,...

Vector drives.(Product Spotlight: Ac drives)
September 1, 2007... SMVector advanced inverter drives feature expanded communication options, including RS-485/Modbus, CANopen, and DeviceNet. Features & benefits * Up to 25 hp; input voltage from 120 Vac, 1-phase to 600 Vac, 3-phase * Four operating...

Just the facts, m'am: here, we address ten common misconceptions about belt selection, installation, and use.(Timing and V belts)
September 1, 2007... Belt drive performance can be compromised in several ways. Most often, trouble arises when misguided assumptions are made about belts, their structure, or their application. But knowing the facts can help you extend belt life and boost their...