Motion System Design articles from September 2008

Motion System Design archives from September 2008

Energy efficiency: waste not, want not.(Design by Objective)
September 1, 2008... More than ever, using energy resources wisely is a critical part of today's automation landscape. Check out some of the latest tips, tools, and resources for maximizing the energy efficiency of your design projects.

Energy-efficient gearmotor improves total system efficiency.(Design by Objective)
September 1, 2008... Dodge Quantis ILH (In-Line Helical) and RHB (Right Angle Helical Bevel) C-face gearmotors combine with Baldor Reliance Super-E Premium Efficient Motors for total system efficiency. Motor and gearbox combinations up to 10 hp are available,...

Electromechanical cylinders combine power and efficiency.(Design by Objective)
September 1, 2008... Electromechanical (EMC) cylinders provide high thrust, high speed capabilities with greater flexibility and control to applications traditionally using hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders. These IP65-rated cylinders contain a precision-rolled...

Energy-efficient ac drives offer a plethora of benefits.(Solution Snapshot)
September 1, 2008... When it comes to motion control applications, don't forget to consider the benefits of ac drives. Some of these include variable speed, process efficiency improvement, acceleration and deceleration control, and demand reduction. The most...

Earth-friendly bearings boost energy efficiency.(Design by Objective)
September 1, 2008... Tribologically optimized iglide plastic plain bearings require neither oil nor grease; they are lubrication-free, so no contaminants escape into the environment. In addition, the amount of oil used in plastics manufacturing is much lower than...

Soft starters help motors attain energy efficiency.(Design by Objective)
September 1, 2008... SSW07 soft starters for advanced energy efficient induction motor operation cover a wide power range, 17 to 200 A (200 to 575-V three-phase ac) and are available in three compact models. Versatility is based on DSP control, which combines...

Power-dense motor achieves 90% efficiency.(Design by Objective)(Maxon Precision Motors Inc.'s dc motors)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... The heart of the RE 65 dc motor is its ironless rotor, which means that the drive works detent-free and has minimal rotor inertia. High torques and fast acceleration times are produced in combination with the four-pole structure of the...

Precision limit switches.(Product Spotlight: Limit Switches)
September 1, 2008... E47 limit switches provide high accuracy switching. Features & benefits * Standard features include current capacity, operating force, travel characteristics, characteristics, and actuators * Available in compact basic form or...

Custom microswitches.(Product Spotlight: Limit Switches)
September 1, 2008... Tailor-made microswitches and sealed position switches offer a mechanical lifespan of up to 50 million commutations. Features & benefits * Product line includes switches with large temperature ranges, IP67 ratings, and resistance to...

Safety switch.(Product Spotlight: Limit Switches)
September 1, 2008... The Microswitch GKME-series dual-connection safety switch includes two pre-assembled connectors for daisychain connection from switch to switch. Features & benefits * Ease of installation reduces wiring time up to 50% * Removal of...

Save time with gearmotors.(TIME SAVING TECHNOLOGY)
September 1, 2008... Welcome to your Time Saving Technology department, highlighting new developments designed to help you put more efficiency in your game. This month we review some of the latest gearmotors on the market. Compact gearmotor offers easy mounting...

Weighty matters.(Brushing Up)
September 1, 2008... Just when you think you can count on a unit of measure, it changes. That's exactly what's happening to the kilogram, the official unit of mass from the International System of Units (SI). In the late 1700's, a kilogram was defined as the...

Engineers face critical choice.(In response)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2008... Whoever is elected President will greatly affect the future for engineers: If McCain is elected, we'll continue the same policies as the Bush administration--with no significant economic changes. McCain's objective is to keep the wealth in...

Obama is wild card.(In response)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2008... I am not that crazy about McCain, but there is no doubt that he has to win the election. Obama is inexperienced, unknown, and much more of a wild card than McCain; I fear for our economy and defense. With a Democratic house and senate, it will...

Hopeless in St. Pete.(In response)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2008... I am convinced that our next president "will be able to make a difference on matters that affect all of us." Just like George W. Bush did. There will be lots of changes--all for the worse. Both McCain and Obama are simply Bush III or Clinton II...

No new taxes.(In response)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2008... Ongoing Wars: Does it really matter who is elected? Generations of Muslims are raised to hate the infidels who happen to be the Western civilization. The only difference between now and the last several centuries is that we are fighting them on...

Obama reminiscent of JFK.(In response)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2008... As an independent voter, I try to assess each candidate based on the following: professed positions and opinions, track record (votes, speeches), poise, intelligence, lack of ideological rigidity, and the ability to convey ideas in unscripted...

Prizes foster invention.(In response)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2008... Obama's belittling of McCain's idea to establish a prize for whoever comes up with a breakthrough battery for practical electric cars is a telltale sign of Obama's novice rating for motivating talent, and his lack of knowledge regarding the...

Wanted: thought before action.(In response)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2008... There is no doubt that Mr. Obama is the best choice. He can unite the country, is very smart, and thinks before he acts. His decisions should be well researched and not "gut feel" hunches. On the other hand, Mr. McCain will only continue the...

What's in your robot?(In the Loop)
September 1, 2008... A few weeks ago, at the Worldwide Graphical System Design Conference in Austin, Texas, I had the pleasure of leading a discussion on robotics among a panel of experts that included MIT professor, Woodie Flowers; Virginia Tech professor, Al...

No-maintenance guides.(New Products)
September 1, 2008... DryLin T adjustable profile guide rail resists corrosion and performs in dirty or washdown environments. Features & benefits * Dimensionally interchangeable with most traditional recirculating ball guides; anodized-aluminum T-shaped...

Shock-absorbing jaw couplings.(New Products)
September 1, 2008... Expanded line of zero-backlash jaw couplings includes more compliant spider elements for applications where greater shock absorption is needed. Features & benefits * Two hubs with curved jaws and an elastic element; polyurethane...

Control software.(New Products)
September 1, 2008... GEN-2 software for MS Series line of programmable indexers and Accu-Ring rotary tables provides extensive features and performance. Features & benefits * Simple indexer setup and configuration from touch screen, commands in English, no...

Polyurethane-coated bearing.(New Products)
September 1, 2008... Polyurethane-coated non-marking bearings reduce noise, improve traction, and reduce wear on cam tracks. Features & benefits * Shore 80A polyurethane available in blue * Other colors and durometers available with a short lead time...

Flexible coupling.(New Products)
September 1, 2008... W-series coupling offers convenience of metric sizing and fasteners for many designs, from driving components with light torque requirements (encoders and tachometers) to lead screw and pump applications requiring greater torque. ...

Linear rail covers.(New Products)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Gortite standard and custom manufactured linear rail covers are available for use on all makes of linear rails. Features & benefits * Bellows type protective covers are manufactured of durable neoprene...

Dc output modules.(New Products)
September 1, 2008... DirectLOGIC option modules include new fault-protected output modules designed for DL205 PLCs. Features & benefits * F2-16TDxP 16-channel current output modules * Sinking and sourcing configurations * 16 input points...

Cantilever linear actuator.(New Products)
September 1, 2008... Ballscrew-driven cantilever actuator EGSA reduces cycle times by offering high performance mechanical components with a wide choice of motors to suit any application. Features & benefits * Short strokes with repetition accuracy of [+...

Filter-regulator-lubricator.(New Products)
September 1, 2008... Excelon Pro all-composite filter-regulator-lubricator combines high tensile strength and low-weight composites. Features & benefits * Built-in wall mounting and push-in fitting connectors * Ease of configuration allows for...

Rotary tables.(New Products)
September 1, 2008... RT4 series offers a 4 in. diameter tabletop and 4 x 5 in. footprint to carry loads up to 100 lb. Features & benefits * 4 arc-min positional accuracy; 0.03[degrees] run out; 1 oz-in. breakaway torque with loads of 50 lb.; 1,750 rpm...

Precision shafting.(New Products)
September 1, 2008... Ready Shafts are precision case hardened and ground shafting packaged in protective plastic sleeves. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Features & benefits * Cut to length, chamfered, precision polished, and individually packaged in a VCI...

Stepper motor controller.(New Products)
September 1, 2008... X20 stepper motor controllers feature an IP20-rated stepper controller for the X20 controller and I/O system. Features & benefits * Extremely compact X20 modules designed for bipolar 2-phase stepper motors, 1 A (24 V) or 3 A (18 to 48...

Precision line shafts.(New Products)
September 1, 2008... Torsion-resistant flexible bellows and precision-extruded tube with high degree of straightness and lateral stiffness allows for simple and convenient mechanical interface without compromising accuracy or stability of motion system. ...

Photoelectric sensor.(New Products)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Upgraded BOD 63M time-of-flight laser sensor has shorter 200-mm dead zone, second discrete output, and resolution of less than 1 mm. Features & benefits * Range of 6 m, suitable for long-range applications...

Pneumatic rotary actuators.(New Products)
September 1, 2008... Directconnect series features a rack and pinion drive enclosed in a case hardened turntable for extended wear and life. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Features & benefits * Piston consists of Delrin--a lightweight, low-friction, and...

Servos and steppers clock in.(Productivity Forum)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Once relegated to light duty in the most protected environments, servo and step motors are lacing up their steel-toed boots and venturing out onto the plant floor. Here, they are setting productivity records, but not...

Pick the right wire to avoid fire: choosing the right cable for your machine installation can go a long way in preventing fires and downtime, not to mention lawsuits.(Standards Update)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ten years ago, cable selection was often an afterthought, receiving little attention from machine builders and installers. Today it's a different story. With the increasing prevalence of lawsuits and insurance...

Steady does it: part 2 of 2: vibration isolation systems are useful, but introduce issues of their own. In this series conclusion, we review those challenges--and some control-based solutions.(Course Audit)
September 1, 2008... In this installment: * Isolation resonance and time-domain response * Vibration mitigation functions * Disturbance-rejection algorithms, input shaping In the first part of this series (see the August 2008 issue) we reviewed...

Making it simpler: easy-to-tune servo systems are making it more straightforward to switch from stepper systems.(Servomotors)
September 1, 2008... Manufacturing requires increasingly productive and flexible machines, so many machine builders are switching from stepper to servo technology. Although steppers have their advantages, servos often increase productivity and reliability over...

Job hunters: gather here.(Web Contents)
September 1, 2008... Want to search jobs to see what else is out there? Actively looking make a career move? Then check out the Design Engineer Job Zone designengineerjobzone.com. There, you can anonymously post your resume and set up alerts that email new jobs...

Purchasing easy as pie.(Web Contents)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Distributor Kaman Industrial Technologies, Windsor, Conn., recently launched its new web site--www.kamandirect.com--that offers pinpoint search capabilities, simplified navigation, and personalization options for...

Laser scanner gathers machining data.(Industry Focus: Machine Tool)
September 1, 2008... Preparing the next generation of fighter pilots is both complex and costly. However, due to the high cost and safety risks involved in training in actual aircraft, the military is moving as much pilot education as possible to simulators that...

CNC market to surpass $7.7billion by 2012.(Industry Focus: Machine Tool)(Computer Numerical Controls)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... The Computer Numerical Controls (CNC) market has exploded in the last two years, lead by the surge in production of machine tools in the European and Asian markets, according to a new study from ARC Advisory Group, Dedham, Mass. The market was...

OMAC symposium explores system evolution.(Industry Focus: Machine Tool)
September 1, 2008... The second annual OMAC (Organization for Machine Automation and Control) Integration Symposium will be held December 3 to 4 at the Partners in THINC facility in Charlotte, N.C. Presentations will focus on Total System Evolution: Emerging...

Heads up for future engineering leaders.(What's New)(Emerging Leaders Alliance plans to train engineers)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... A group of mechanical, chemical, civil, petroleum, and materials engineering organizations have joined forces to address a common concern--how to train the world's future engineering leaders. The effort has resulted in the Emerging Leaders...

Rotek begins $82 million expansion.(Biz bits)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Rotek Inc., a designer and manufacturer of large diameter slewing ring bearings, has announced plans to invest $82 million to expand its plant in Aurora, Ohio. With ring diameters up to 280 in., the new SMS Meer RAW 400/400/6000 ring mill will...

Galil celebrates silver anniversary.(Biz bits)
September 1, 2008... Galil Motion Control, Rocklin, Calif., recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. On July 5, 1983 Galil shipped its first motion controller, the DMC-100, which was the first microprocessor-based servo motion controller using solely digital...

Bison makes "best and brightest" list.(Biz bits)(Bison Gear and Engineering Corp. honored)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Gearmotor manufacturer Bison Gear & Engineering Corp., St. Charles, Ill., has been selected for the second consecutive year as one of Chicago's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For by the National Association for Business Resources...

MSD wins national award.(What's New)(Motion System Design honored)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Motion System Design was recently honored at The American Society of Business Publication Editors' 30th Annual National Azbee Awards of Excellence, winning a national editorial award in the Technical Article category. The article, "Virtually...

NSK goes greener.(Biz bits)(NSK Precision America Inc. improves its waste recycling techniques)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... In 2004, NSK Precision America, Franklin, Ind., began integrating methods of green procurement, environmental education, and recycling. NSK Group, NSK Precision America's parent company, challenged its plants to earn ISO 14001 certification,...

Bosch Rexroth names drives and controls manager.(Biz bits)(Dan Throne appointed at Bosch Rexroth Corporation Electric Drives and Controls )(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dan Throne has been appointed sales and marketing manager for the Bosch Rexroth Corporation Electric Drives and Controls technology group. Based in the company's Hoffman Estates, Ill. corporate office, Throne is...

Maverick method makes magnets.(What's New)
September 1, 2008... Ultra-strong, high-temperature, high-performance permanent magnet compounds, such as Samarium Cobalt, are mainstay materials for industries that rely on high-performance motor and power generation applications, including the defense and...

SME, EMCI establish management certification standard.(What's New)(Engineering Management Certification International and Society of Manufacturing Engineers teams up)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) has established a partnership with Engineering Management Certification International (EMCI), a program that facilitates and maintains competence in engineering management among qualified engineers,...