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

Danielle Collins
What are double- and triple-stack hybrid stepper motors ?
Lisa Eitel
Electric motors from maxon help Emirates Team New Zealand win 36th America’s Cup
Miles Budimir
Miniature controllers from FAULHABER control a range of dc motors

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Trends: PC-based controllers enable easy IoT connectivity, predictive maintenance

Rather than traditional standalone systems, modern motion systems are integrated into the overall machine environment, making for easier connectivity … [Read More...] about Trends: PC-based controllers enable easy IoT connectivity, predictive maintenance

Miniature controllers from FAULHABER control a range of dc motors

The new MC 3001 are unhoused versions of the FAULHABER motion controllers and, by means of the integrated output stage with optimized current … [Read More...] about Miniature controllers from FAULHABER control a range of dc motors

Robotic bartender powered by Arduino-compatible controller and BLDC servo motors

Teknic’s Robotic Bartender uses one of Teknic’s new ClearCore controllers (Arduino compatible) and six ClearPath integrated servo motors. A small team … [Read More...] about Robotic bartender powered by Arduino-compatible controller and BLDC servo motors

What are double- and triple-stack hybrid stepper motors ?

Of the three primary stepper motor designs — permanent magnet, variable reluctance, and hybrid — hybrid stepper motors are arguably the most popular … [Read More...] about What are double- and triple-stack hybrid stepper motors ?

PowerSTAR right angle gearmotor features advanced precision hypoid gearing

Bison Gear and Engineering designs and manufactures a complete line of standard and custom AC Right Angle Gearmotors and DC Right Angle Gearmotors. … [Read More...] about PowerSTAR right angle gearmotor features advanced precision hypoid gearing

What are different ways to express a gear ratio?

In motion control systems, gears are used to change the torque and speed delivered by a motor to a driven component. Depending on how the gears are … [Read More...] about What are different ways to express a gear ratio?

New distributed drive system designed for conveyor applications

The Sinamics G115D from Siemens is a new compact and powerful drive system specifically designed for horizontal conveyor applications. The drive … [Read More...] about New distributed drive system designed for conveyor applications

New ultra-compact motion controller from Performance Motion Devices

Performance Motion Devices, Inc. (PMD) debuts their new ION/CME N-Series Digital Drives, new members of the ION Digital Drive family that provide … [Read More...] about New ultra-compact motion controller from Performance Motion Devices

Magnetic ring encoder features functional safety for machine tool applications

HEIDENHAIN’s new absolute modular magnetic angle encoder is for applications needing contamination-resistant encoders with functional safety (FS) for … [Read More...] about Magnetic ring encoder features functional safety for machine tool applications

Absolute encoder interfaces: Differences between SSI, BiSS, Hiperface, and EnDat

Absolute encoders can communicate with controllers through parallel or serial wiring, over a fieldbus, or via an Ethernet-based protocol such as … [Read More...] about Absolute encoder interfaces: Differences between SSI, BiSS, Hiperface, and EnDat

IoT connectivity enhances controller performance

The controllers available today to design engineers have more built-in functions, are more powerful, and are being used in a wide array of diverse … [Read More...] about IoT connectivity enhances controller performance

Motors – the heart of motion control systems

Electric motors are the engines of motion control and automation. A vast range of motion applications makes use of all kinds of motors, from stepper … [Read More...] about Motors – the heart of motion control systems

New spring-loaded pivot arm for wheel-encoder assemblies

POSITAL has introduced a new spring-loaded pivot arm mounting system for wheel-encoder assemblies. Like earlier spring-loaded mounting brackets, this … [Read More...] about New spring-loaded pivot arm for wheel-encoder assemblies

What are multi-stage gearboxes and when are they used?

Gearboxes are commonly used in motion control applications to change the output speed and torque from a motor to a driven component. By using a … [Read More...] about What are multi-stage gearboxes and when are they used?

Safety, increased connectivity top drive trends

Drives continue to evolve, responding to broader industry trends in automation with new features. Some of those drivers include rising interest in IoT … [Read More...] about Safety, increased connectivity top drive trends

Programmability is a key encoder design trend

Encoders are central to motion control applications, providing feedback in order to increase system accuracy and reliability. As other components in … [Read More...] about Programmability is a key encoder design trend

Screw trends — better performance, new applications

A number of trends continue to drive developments in screw actuators. For instance, developments in screw materials and manufacturing methods have … [Read More...] about Screw trends — better performance, new applications

Gears and gearmotor trends — more customized designs

Gearing and mechanical power transmission, in its fundamentals, remains virtually unchanged. However, innovative variations are becoming increasingly … [Read More...] about Gears and gearmotor trends — more customized designs

EtherCAT Technology Group celebrates successful defense of America’s Cup with Emirates Team New Zealand

In an exciting finale off Auckland, New Zealand, EtherCAT Technology Group (ETG) member Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ) claimed its 7th victory over … [Read More...] about EtherCAT Technology Group celebrates successful defense of America’s Cup with Emirates Team New Zealand

Harmonic Drive reveals miniature actuator with integrated servo drive

Harmonic Drive LLC, the leader in high precision motion control announces a new RSF-5 miniature actuator with an integrated servo drive. This … [Read More...] about Harmonic Drive reveals miniature actuator with integrated servo drive

Trends: Sensors on the front lines of changing industrial world

Sensors play a key role in many types of automation systems and machines, helping ensure they perform at their optimal level. Sensors are also at … [Read More...] about Trends: Sensors on the front lines of changing industrial world

Sensorless drive series from Koford Engineering features high efficiency and performance

Koford Engineering LLC has introduced a new series of 40 amp 48 volt sensorless drives. These drives feature 99% efficiency, compact size and high … [Read More...] about Sensorless drive series from Koford Engineering features high efficiency and performance

Controller provides multi-axis motion control to packaging systems

Developed by Servotronix with an EtherNet/IP interface from STXI Motion, the softMC compact microcontroller lets any major OEM programmable logic … [Read More...] about Controller provides multi-axis motion control to packaging systems

Teknic’s Hudson industrial brushless servo motors now available online

Teknic’s Hudson industrial grade brushless servo motors have been used by high volume OEM companies for over a decade. These rugged, reliable motors … [Read More...] about Teknic’s Hudson industrial brushless servo motors now available online

Electric motors from maxon help Emirates Team New Zealand win 36th America’s Cup

Emirates Team New Zealand has won the historical 36th America’s Cup that endured extra challenges — including COVID-19, race cancellations, and delays … [Read More...] about Electric motors from maxon help Emirates Team New Zealand win 36th America’s Cup

Festo Productivity Master demonstration at Hannover Fair points the way to digitalization

The Productivity Master, a modular demonstration system for personalized USB memory sticks from Festo, shows how automation technology will evolve … [Read More...] about Festo Productivity Master demonstration at Hannover Fair points the way to digitalization

Teknic launches new EtherNet/IP Motion and I/O Controller

Teknic recently launched ClearLink, a Motion and I/O Controller offering users of EtherNet/IP compatible PLCs, such as CompactLogix, MicroLogix, and … [Read More...] about Teknic launches new EtherNet/IP Motion and I/O Controller

What is a tachogenerator and when is it used?

There are several ways to measure the position of a rotary axis, and some position measuring devices, such as incremental and absolute encoders, can … [Read More...] about What is a tachogenerator and when is it used?

ctrlX HMI from Bosch Rexroth offers an optimized user-experience combination

Bosch Rexroth’s ctrlX HMI offers machine manufacturers optimum freedom when it comes to implementing the user experience with intuitive user guidance. … [Read More...] about ctrlX HMI from Bosch Rexroth offers an optimized user-experience combination

What are radial and axial runout and how do they affect rotary tables and stages?

Runout is a dimensional specification that defines error in the motion of a surface as it moves relative to a datum. The official geometric … [Read More...] about What are radial and axial runout and how do they affect rotary tables and stages?