ITW company Buehler now offers AutoMet semi-automatic grinder-polishers. The AutoMet 250, AutoMet 250 Pro and AutoMet 300 Pro grinder-polishers are ideal for customers in material testing or demanding environments needing to process a high volume of samples. They feature a brand-new intuitive touch screen interface that is simple to learn and quick to operate. The […]
FAQs + basics
How a supercharger (blower) works: New animation from Ogura
Ogura Industrial has created a new animation showing how a supercharger (air blower) works. Many people are familiar with the term supercharger from the automotive world … but are unaware of the many other uses of these high-performance units. For design engineers who have wondered, a new three-minute animation provides a quick understanding of how […]
When do you need a linear amplifier versus a PWM drive?
Servo drives — also referred to as servo amplifiers — can be classified by the type of output stage they use: • Pulse-width-modulated (PWM) amplifier output stage or • Linear amplifier output stage. Of the two types, PWM drives are more common in general motion control applications because they provide more power to the motor, […]
How to select the best type of gear reducer
This is the second of a multi-part series on gear reducers. In this second part we look at how to select the best type of gear reducer from the available options. (Click here for Part 1.) The information here is supplied by Bodine Electric Company. Gear reducers come in two basic classes or configurations with […]
When do you need a soft starter for an AC motor?
The traditional method of starting an AC induction motor “across the line” results in full voltage, current, and torque being applied immediately when the motor is started, and likewise, being removed immediately when the motor is stopped. While this is the most simple starting method, the high inrush current (often 6 to 7 times the […]
What is DC injection braking and how does it compare with other methods?
AC induction motors excel at driving high-inertia loads at high speeds — in fans, saws, conveyors, and mills, for example — and variable frequency drives make it possible to match the motor speed to the application requirements by varying the frequency of the supplied voltage. But when quick stops are needed — whether for safety reasons or […]
Geared stepper motors drive movements of Breakfast Brixel moving architectural wall
A new architectural wall called the Breakfast Brixel is making some installations more dynamic. The system is built from dozens of digitally controlled rotating bricks that act as pixels to create waves, stripes, and undulating shapes on the moving walls. Brixel installations can even run customizable artwork and facades to evolve in response to real-time […]
HMI simplifies setup of robot-assisted automation for one integrator
Integrator Inovatech Automation recently decided they were spending too much time programming expensive HMI and PLC platforms, so contacted Pro-Face America for help. The integrator needed an HMI capable of universal robot and I/O-Link integration, legal for Inovatech Automation branding, and easy to program. “I was apprehensive at first because we have a lot of […]
Conveyors with direct-drive motors offer key advantages to Pa. facility
American Axle Manufacturing (AAM) is increasing the functionality of its St. Mary’s, Pa. manufacturing operations with conveyors sporting advanced drive technology. Small yet powerful direct-drive motors from Electric Torque Machines actuate Dorner conveyors that move small parts around the AAM facility. AAM designs, engineers, validates, and manufactures an array of driveline, metal-forming, powertrain, and casting […]
Digital printing pairs with a machine capable of handling its varied output
VITS International makes sheeting and finishing machines for packaging, printing, and converting. The OEM saw the digital-printing market needed finishing capable of commercial production speeds. So VITS designed and built the SPRINT Variable Data Finisher with a Bosch Rexroth drive and control platform to meet the demand. Digital inkjet printers can execute output comparable to […]