Portescap introduces the new M Sense B Encoder, designed specifically for applications that require high accuracy in a compact design. The M Sense B is the first in its class to offer accuracy in the range of 1-1.5 degrees, covering a resolution band of up to 1024 lines with an integrated line driver resulting in […]
DC Motors
Maxon’s brushless DC motor ideal for operating rooms
maxon motor has developed a robust brushless DC motor for hand-held surgical tools: the EC-4pole 30. Featuring two pole pairs, this DC motor provides a nominal torque of 106 mNm and an output of 150 W. It has a hermetically sealed rotor, meaning that it can withstand over 1000 autoclave cycles. The EC-4pole 30 is […]
FAQ: How to pick between stepper motor, brush dc, and brushless motors?
When choosing a motor for an application, consider key differences between each motor’s operation. Stepper motors: Performance positioning Stepper motors work for precise positioning and control with torque. Intermittent moves is what steppers output best. Tip: Don’t use stepper motors for continuous operation. When applications need motors to operate nonstop, steppers exhibit dwindling efficiency and […]
New High Torque Density Brushless DC Motors from PITTMAN
PITTMAN Motors, a business unit of AMETEK Precision Motion Control, has introduced the EC042B brushless DC motor series, its latest offering in a broad range of DC brush and brushless motors. The high torque density motor is designed as an economical, yet higher performance, general purpose servomotor. Its NEMA 17 mounting configuration is adaptable to […]
Maximum torque in minimum space with maxon Spiroid gears
maxon precision motors introduces right angle gearheads designed to be configured with maxon’s 22 and 32 mm DC motors. These compact, lightweight and high torque gearheads were developed to transmit power at 90° in the smallest possible form factor. The Spiroid technology incorporated in the gearhead design offers a number of performance benefits: Extremely high […]
FAQ: What is the difference between absolute and incremental encoders?
Rotary encoders track speed and position. Absolute and incremental encoders both do this, but operate differently and have different methods of implementation. Rotary incremental encoders work by generating a series of pulses during movement. The encoder disc (sporting marks or slots) attaches to a power-transmission shaft, and a stationary pickup device mounts nearby. When the […]
FAQ: What are ways to wire an incremental encoder into a motion system?
There are two ways to wire an incremental encoder into a system. One is single-ended wiring and the other is differential wiring. In single-ended wiring, each channel needs only one wire. Channels are any data streams that the encoder produces. For example, a common quadrature encoder has two channels—A and B—to track speed as well […]
FAQ: What do DIP switches on stepper drives do, and what are alternatives?
Dual in-line package or DIP switches are manual electronic switches that, along with other switches in one package, form one unit. They usually mount on printed circuit boards through pins. Some common types of DIP switches include rotary, slider and rocker switches. Through them, end users configure circuit boards or controllers for the application at […]
FAQ: What are motion-control systems on a chip (SoCs) for stepper motor control?
A system on a chip is an integrated circuit that contains all the components of a computer. That is everything from processors, memory and power regulation to external inputs such as USB. For stepper drives, this means one chip combines all the stepper components that are traditionally separate parts. More specifically, the drive, indexer, computer, […]
Arduinos and cheap controllers meet high-performance motion
It’s happening — Arduinos are finding use in high-performance motion applications … even those with industrial-grade motion controls. Recently, I got the chance to sit down and talk with Abe Amirana, director at Teknic Inc., and Teknic’s Brendan Flosenzier, applications engineer, about the evolution of Arduinos, Raspberry Pis, and other low-cost microcontrollers and minicomputers now finding use in industrial […]