Motion Control, Encoders, Servo Drives, Controllers | Motion Control Tips

Danielle Collins
What is friction compensation in servo control?
Lisa Eitel
Protected: Wafer-handling machine maximizes performance with specially clamping belt-pulley and bushing assembly
Miles Budimir
New servo drives feature high-power, compact design

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Dorner’s virtual showcase now open with nine product demonstrations

As industry professionals are still unable to visit Dorner in person due to trade show cancellations, Dorner is bringing the trade show to … [Read More...] about Dorner’s virtual showcase now open with nine product demonstrations

Protected: Wafer-handling machine maximizes performance with specially clamping belt-pulley and bushing assembly

This content is password protected. To view it please enter your password below: Password: … [Read More...] about Protected: Wafer-handling machine maximizes performance with specially clamping belt-pulley and bushing assembly

What is friction compensation in servo control?

Friction, which is the resistance to relative motion between two bodies, occurs in all sliding and rolling motions. In components that use lubrication … [Read More...] about What is friction compensation in servo control?

What is dual-loop control for servo systems and when is it used?

In servo-driven systems, feedback for position, velocity, and/or torque control is typically provided by a rotary encoder or resolver mounted to the … [Read More...] about What is dual-loop control for servo systems and when is it used?

Feedback on stepper motors for better positioning and holding (and less ringing)

Feedback-equipped stepper motors are not a complete substitute for servomotors, but they can provide a reliable alternative for many real-world … [Read More...] about Feedback on stepper motors for better positioning and holding (and less ringing)

Pallet-handling conveyors: Harnessing the power and safety of all-electric peripheral components

Pallet-handling conveyors optimize manufacturing, assembly, and testing processes by conveying product on workpiece pallets. The workpiece pallet … [Read More...] about Pallet-handling conveyors: Harnessing the power and safety of all-electric peripheral components

How to size an electric-motor-driven chain-and-sprocket system

In a previous motion-sizing articles, we reviewed how to properly specify (using software) a ballscrew-driven motion axis. Then we reviewed how … [Read More...] about How to size an electric-motor-driven chain-and-sprocket system

New servo drives feature high-power, compact design

The FM060-25-CM is part of a new breed of micro-sized, high-power servo drives, immediately available from ADVANCED Motion Controls. Rated to output … [Read More...] about New servo drives feature high-power, compact design

What are rotary actuators and how do they differ from other rotary tables?

When we think about actuators, we typically think about linear actuators — devices that move loads in a straight line, driven by a screw, belt, or … [Read More...] about What are rotary actuators and how do they differ from other rotary tables?

What does motor insulation class specify and why is it important?

Any time current flows through a wire — such as the windings in a motor — resistance in the wire, as well as other losses, cause heat to be generated. … [Read More...] about What does motor insulation class specify and why is it important?

New integrated servo motors from Maxon feature IP65 protection

Maxon’s new IDX compact integrated servo gearmotor + drive combines a powerful, brushless EC-i motor and an EPOS4 positioning controller, which can be … [Read More...] about New integrated servo motors from Maxon feature IP65 protection

Motion Control Tips: The top 5 posts for 2020

An end-of-year tradition here at motioncontroltips.com is to look back at some of our most viewed articles we published on the site throughout the … [Read More...] about Motion Control Tips: The top 5 posts for 2020

What is inrush current in an AC motor and why does it matter?

When an electrical device, such as an AC induction motor, is switched on, it experiences a very high, momentary surge of current, referred to as … [Read More...] about What is inrush current in an AC motor and why does it matter?

Podcast: Planar motors and linear transfer systems in action (addressing COVID and more)

In a recent podcast interview, we got the chance to talk with Jeff Johnson of Beckhoff Automation about linear-motor conveyors (also called … [Read More...] about Podcast: Planar motors and linear transfer systems in action (addressing COVID and more)

More about what it means for servo brakes to have functional-safety certification

In the article What are functional safety standards for servo drives? we review how functional safety is quantified. Now consider one example of a … [Read More...] about More about what it means for servo brakes to have functional-safety certification

Power-off engaged brakes for conveyor applications

Miki Pulley’s latest model BXW power-off engaged brakes are designed to halt a motorized conveyor roller when system power is disengaged. These new … [Read More...] about Power-off engaged brakes for conveyor applications

Wiegand sensors offer proximity sensing with extra powers

Wiegand sensors are tiny devices that use variations in an external magnetic field to generate electrical signals and energy. They have unique … [Read More...] about Wiegand sensors offer proximity sensing with extra powers

Panel-mount encoder series now with plastic shaft options

CUI Devices’ Motion Group has added plastic shaft actuator options to its C14 family of optical panel mount encoders. Ideal for a range of ventilator … [Read More...] about Panel-mount encoder series now with plastic shaft options

New module, software from Control Techniques boosts motion performance

Control Techniques, part of the Nidec group, has launched the next generation of its Motion Made Easy servo control suite. The new PTi210 module, and … [Read More...] about New module, software from Control Techniques boosts motion performance

Inductive proximity and magneto resistive sensors enhance IoT4.0 connectivity for Nexen brake families

Nexen Group, Nexen Servo, Rail, and ZSE brake lines now have Industry 4.0 connectivity sensor options to enhance machine efficiency. Multiple sensors … [Read More...] about Inductive proximity and magneto resistive sensors enhance IoT4.0 connectivity for Nexen brake families

Podcast: Dave Hein of Nexen Group on brakes having functional safety certification

In our most recent Technology Tuesdays podcast, Dave Hein — senior vice president and engineering and chief technology officer at Nexen Group — … [Read More...] about Podcast: Dave Hein of Nexen Group on brakes having functional safety certification

What is a motor control center (MCC)?

Manufacturing plants often contain dozen, if not hundreds, of motors — driving everything from packaging and processing equipment to fans and pumps. … [Read More...] about What is a motor control center (MCC)?

Bonfiglioli launches e-commerce website

Bonfiglioli has launched its new Online Shop; the company claims it is the first of its kind in the power transmission industry. This e-commerce … [Read More...] about Bonfiglioli launches e-commerce website

New line of intelligent universal servo drives from ACS

ACS has launched the first in a new line of high-performance Intelligent Drive Module products. The IDMsm is a 2- or 4-axis EtherCAT DS402 universal … [Read More...] about New line of intelligent universal servo drives from ACS

Triad of torque, speed and precision applications

Many applications require drive solutions that have a central opening through which, e.g., light, cables or parts of the application can be guided. … [Read More...] about Triad of torque, speed and precision applications

TwinCAT IoT now supports Siemens’ MindSphere

MindSphere, the Industrial IoT as a service solution from Siemens, is now one of the latest solutions that can integrate with TwinCAT. Beckhoff has … [Read More...] about TwinCAT IoT now supports Siemens’ MindSphere

Teknic launches multi-axis motion and industrial I/O controller

Teknic recently launched ClearCore, a low-cost, multi-axis, motion and industrial I/O controller offering OEMs a new way to save space, money and … [Read More...] about Teknic launches multi-axis motion and industrial I/O controller

What is a flying shear application in motion control?

The term "motion control" spans a wide range of applications that involve controlling the movement of a linear or rotary axis to achieve a goal such … [Read More...] about What is a flying shear application in motion control?

New energy-efficient, washdown-ready motors for conveying applications from NORD

NORD’s new IE5+ permanent magnet synchronous motors are extremely energy efficient and compact for demanding conveying applications, with smooth … [Read More...] about New energy-efficient, washdown-ready motors for conveying applications from NORD

How do shear pin torque limiters work and when are they used?

Shear pin torque limiters are a simple, cost-effective design for protecting equipment from torque overloads. In their most basic form, they … [Read More...] about How do shear pin torque limiters work and when are they used?