Motion controllers come in many shapes, sizes and form factors. They can be stand-alone units that plug into control racks or PC-based controls that plug into a PC. Motion control functions can also reside on PLCs or PACs. But motion control functionality can also fit on a single chip, and this has been the case […]
FAQs + basics
What are rotary unions and how are they used in motion applications?
Rotating components are common in motion applications — robot arms, winders, spools, spindles, and rotary tables are just a few examples. And while creating rotary motion is easy, when air or liquids need to be transferred from a stationary supply to a rotating component for cooling, heating, lubricating, or transmitting fluid power, the task becomes […]
How to address leakage current from motor to ground?
All electric motors operate with inherent losses from a number of different areas. Some are inherently mechanical (think friction losses as heat) while others are electrical, from current in conductors, also known as I2R losses, to losses due to hysteresis and eddy currents in the iron components of a motor. One type of loss that […]
Power and free conveyors: Where do they excel?
Power and free conveyors are designed for manufacturing environments where products need to be transported in a non-linear fashion — that is, where materials aren’t necessarily delivered in the order they were loaded or at the same pace. Traditional “linear” conveyors, on the other hand, lack the flexibility to handle manufacturing environments where different production […]
How to specify motion components for cleanroom environments: Part 2
In this two-part article, we cover the products, materials, and features that designers and engineers should specify when choosing motion components for cleanroom environments. In part 1, we looked at how to reduce particle generation due to friction between moving components. In this second part, we’ll look at another source of contamination — outgassing — […]
What are some different options for integrated servocontrols?
Integration in motion control is commonplace. Integrated servocontrols can refer to both the way in which the integration of the controller into a servo system (or motor) takes place as well as the control options and functions integrated into the controls themselves. By integrated here we mean that the controller is integrated into the motor. […]
Oriental Motor 60-mm DG II rotary actuator with AlphaStep AZ Series absolute encoder stepper motor
Oriental Motor is pleased to expand the DGII Series product lineup and AlphaStep hybrid control system with the introduction of the new 60 mm DGII rotary actuator. The DGII Series is a line of products that combine a high rigidity hollow rotary table with an AlphaStep absolute encoder AZ series closed loop stepper motor and […]
How to specify motion components for cleanroom environments: Part 1
In this two-part article, we cover the products, materials, and features that designers and engineers should specify when choosing motion components for cleanroom environments. In part 1, we look at how to reduce particle generation due to friction between moving components. Designers of automation systems are tasked with many competing demands, such as balancing cost and performance, […]
What are slip rings and why do some motors use them?
Slip rings — also referred to as rotary electrical joints, electric swivels, and collector rings — are devices that can transmit power, electrical signals, or data between a stationary component and a rotating component. The design of a slip ring will depend on its application — transmitting data, for example, requires a slip ring with higher […]
When is internal braking for stopping insufficient — and a clutch or brake necessary?
For a given motion profile, when are other options for stopping insufficient — and a clutch or brake necessary? Good question. At the core of most motion axes are electric motors. Stopping loads on their axes can be done with the electric motor itself — called internal braking in certain contexts — or with an […]