Incremental encoders typically use two square-wave signals in quadrature (out of phase by 90 degrees) to track position and direction of motion. But because they only track incremental position (not absolute position) they're not able to determine the true position of the motor and connected equipment after a shut-down or power loss. So most … [Read More...]
FROM THE EDITORS
NASA’s Perseverance rover heading to Mars with maxon drives aboard
This month, NASA will be sending its fifth rover to Mars. Its main mission is to collect soil samples that will be analyzed on Earth at a later time. … [Read More...]
What is a gated index pulse for incremental encoders?
Incremental encoders typically use two square-wave signals in quadrature (out of phase by 90 degrees) to track position and direction of motion. But … [Read More...]
Power over Ethernet (PoE) and M12 connectors in motion designs
Though the internet of things is most visible to laymen in consumer devices, the IIoT is massive. The majority of applications are in business, … [Read More...]
Balancing power, weight, and efficiency objectives with low-power braking
Engineers who want the smallest, lightest, lowest power brake available should talk to their brake supplier in the earliest stages of the design … [Read More...]
KEB America debuts high capacity spring-set load brakes
KEB America’s new High Capacity Load brakes use a spring-set (power-off) design and are electrically released. The brakes are offered in graduated … [Read More...]
NORD launches new online tool for spare parts
NORD DRIVESYSTEMS has launched its new online Spare Parts Shop. The online tool lets designers locate, select, order, and track spare parts quickly … [Read More...]
Brakes for elevator and lift applications from Miki Pulley
Spring-actuated BXL Brakes from Miki Pulley are designed for the challenging requirements of elevator and lift applications. Designed exclusively for … [Read More...]
What do bit rate, baud, and cycle time mean in industrial networks?
For industrial networks, two of the most important performance factors are determinism and speed. In other words, industrial networks must be able to … [Read More...]
Diverse-redundant absolute encoders for safety-critical applications from POSITAL
Sensor manufacturer POSITAL has introduced an inexpensive and flexible alternative for safety-critical motion control systems. Supplementing its … [Read More...]
WITTENSTEIN releases new NPL-W corrosion-resistant gearbox
WITTENSTEIN alpha, a provider of high-precision servo gearboxes and drive systems, has launched a new corrosion resistant gearbox to support the … [Read More...]
Four axis stepper controller for automation applications
One of the latest products to be released by Allmotion is their EZ4Axis23WV stepper motor controller driver, which runs four fully independent stepper … [Read More...]
What is Ecolab certification for automation components?
In applications that involve wet or humid environments — especially those in the food and beverage industry — a component's IP (International … [Read More...]
Next generation RENCO encoders for brushless dc and stepper motors
HEIDENHAIN’s next generation of RENCO brand rotary encoders includes an upgraded R35i model and a successor to the RCML15 encoder with the R35iL low … [Read More...]
Planetary gearboxes with fitted pinion from Neugart
Neugart is extending its portfolio of planetary gearboxes, especially for rack and pinion drives, with an additional option for a fitted pinion from … [Read More...]
KEB America debuts EtherNet/IP for S6 and F6 drives
KEB America has introduced EtherNet/IP for its S6 servo drive and F6 VFD products. EtherNet/IP is immediately available with firmware version 2.6 and … [Read More...]
What are Hiperface and Hiperface DSL?
Position feedback is core to any servo application, and most rotary servo motors employ an integrated feedback device with a physical link back to the … [Read More...]
Common IoT and connectivity terminology related to ctrlX AUTOMATION
In a recent online event, Bosch Rexroth engineers explained their new ctrlX AUTOMATION scalable platform … which among other things, allows flexible … [Read More...]
Part 6: IDE and other software for connectivity and IoT design work
As mentioned in Part 5 and at the top of this series, software that unifies various aspects of automation development is key to IIoT connectivity. … [Read More...]
Part 5: Motion control + MQTT, OPC-UA, and other protocols for cloud services
In Part 4 of this series, we detailed edge computing and gateways for industrial machinery. Now consider the various protocols and communications … [Read More...]
Part 4: Edge computing and gateways proliferate for industrial machinery
Reconsider the actuators, sensors, and other edge devices covered in Part 1 and Part 2 and Part 3 of this series. Such components are fundamental to … [Read More...]
Part 3: Trends in Ethernet, PoE, IO-Link, HIPERFACE, and single-cable solutions
As we explored in Part 1 and Part 2 of this six-part series, machine designs are evolving with wireless connectivity, cloud-based operations, and open … [Read More...]
Part 2: Wireless in predictive maintenance — and wireless connectivity uses
In Part 1 of this series, we alluded to the increased adoption of wireless technologies for automation. In fact, the market for wireless technologies, … [Read More...]
Part 1: Connectivity and IoT in motion and general automation
In this six-part series, we explore how machine designs are evolving with wireless connectivity, Ethernet-based networking protocols, cloud-based … [Read More...]
What are RAMI 4.0 and asset administration shells in the context of Industry 4.0?
Industry 4.0 — the intelligent networking of machines and processes for industry with the help of information and communication technology — was … [Read More...]
Encoders for functional safety-rated machines from HEIDENHAIN
For those needing Functional-Safety-rated (FS) contamination-resistant encoders for machine feedback, AMO (a HEIDENHAIN brand) introduces FS absolute … [Read More...]
Posidyne clutch/brakes suitable for indexing conveyors, palletizers
Posidyne clutch brakes feature oil shear technology for rapid and precise stopping, starting, speed change and positioning, all without adjustment or … [Read More...]
New PT WORK Force resources support PT/MC employers
The PTDA Foundation, through its PT WORK Force initiative, has been working hard to assist power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) employers to … [Read More...]
New precision linear stage family for ultra high vacuum applications
PI (Physik Instrumente) LP has introduced a new high precision linear translation stage family for High Vacuum (HV) and Ultra High Vacuum (UHV) … [Read More...]
High-power 10-pole brushless motors from Koford Engineering
Now Koford Engineering sells two new 10-pole motors. These high-performance motors are 5.07-in. (129-mm) brushless motors with no-load speeds … [Read More...]
Bosch Rexroth now sells new products in new ctrlX AUTOMATION platform
With the new ctrlX AUTOMATION platform, Bosch Rexroth has eradicated the traditional boundaries between machine control systems, IT, and the Internet … [Read More...]
In case you missed it
- CGI Inc. now offers new Raptor-SS IP69K-rated precision planetary gearheads
- Outer-loop control IC for brushless dc and dc brush motors
- What is OPC UA and how does it compare with Industrial Ethernet?
- Enhanced communication module from Rockwell provides added resiliency
- Combined displacement-inclination sensor saves costs, installation space
- What is time-sensitive networking (TSN)?
- Nippon Pulse offers custom-designed motion controllers to streamline applications and reduce cable mess
- Omron releases new CP2E controller for compact IoT applications
- Trinamic now offers ultra-silent stepper motor driver with step/direction interface
- ABB’s new AC motors offer power-dense, water cooled design
- Flat motor series from FAULHABER now features integrated gearhead, encoder
- What’s the difference between torque mode and velocity mode in servo control?
- Fully integrated servo controller IC from Trinamic aids ventilator design
- What is direct torque control (DTC) for AC induction motors?
- HEIDENHAIN partners with Applied Motion to expedite new ventilator project
