Planetary gearsets offer applications advantages over other gearsets, including multiple kinematic combinations, power density, big reductions from compact setups, and pure torsional reactions. Planetary gearboxes also boost overall design efficiency. Losses never exceed 3% per stage, so the sets transmit most energy for productive motion output. In applications driven by servo systems, gearboxes also reduce […]
ACE Controls now supplies SOL-28 solar dampers
ACE Controls now supplies SOL-28 solar dampers for solar-panel motion designs needing compression and extension forces of 14 to 2,252 lb and strokes of 1.97 to 15.00 in. The main purpose of SOL-28 solar dampers is to protect photovoltaic (PV) solar tracking systems from damage caused by the negative effects of harsh weather conditions. The dampers […]
Breaking the old rules of inertia matching for servo applications
Modern servo drives with advanced tuning capabilities — when paired with performance servo motors having high-resolution feedback — can eliminate load-to-motor inertia-mismatch concerns. By the Kollmorgen engineering staff The accepted principle of matching motor to load inertia is no longer pertinent with today’s faster motion-control processors and advanced control algorithms. This outdated inertia-matching method of […]
How custom BLDC motors boost performance and lower costs
From packaging to communications, BLDC servomotors are gaining market share in a variety of industries — and for good reason. They deliver high torque and smooth rotation (with minimal torque ripple) and lend themselves well to cost-saving customization. By Ralph Adams • President | Orbex Group Design engineers typically rely on off-the-shelf brushless dc (BLDC) […]
Elmo Motion Control’s new Platinum Safe Servo drives boost servosystem performance
Elmo Motion Control, a manufacturer of innovative motion control technologies, now offers a new cutting-edge line of servo drives — the Platinum series of servo drives featuring advanced servo functionality and functional safety. An evolution of Elmo’s Gold line of servo drives, the new line of servo drives is designed to meet OEMs’ growing needs […]
Brush DC versus brushless DC motors in disposable tools
Disposable medical hand tools are seeing increased use due to their cost and hygiene benefits. Engineers who design these tools usually specify brush DC or brushless DC motors. Here we compare these two options. By Clémence Muron • Applications engineer | Portescap An early step of surgical power tool engineering is to determine whether the […]
Comparing three types of stepper and servomotor power supplies
In a recent online article, Teknic engineers have outlined how dc-powered motion-control applications differ from most other dc-powered designs … and how the motors in these applications need specialty power supplies. The article focuses on dc power supplies, which are the most common and suitable for fractional-horsepower motors. What makes dc motion-control applications unique are their […]
The difference between contactors and motor starters (and reduced-voltage starters)
Electric motors are absolutely essential to automating innumerable applications around the world. In most cases, the driving of motors — the supplying of electric power to them — requires some engineered system that must also be compatible with the motor’s winding arrangement. Because these motor-powering systems are often found employing or accompanying the other electrical […]
Choosing between (or combining) relays and PLCs
Top design objectives for control installations include capability, reliability, and cost effectiveness. Many new and retrofitted control panels employ components such as PLCs and even industrial PCs (IPCs) and programmable automation controllers (PACs) for advanced connectivity and control. It’s often appropriate to use these more complicated (and capable) options and remove or forgo electromechanical relays […]
DIN rail: Basic construction and versions
The ubiquitous nature of components for DIN-rail mounting makes this standard particularly helpful … especially when panel redesigns are in order. Here, a technician need only to unclamp components, slide them to their new locations, and reclamp them to the DIN rail. In addition, DIN rail prevents upside-down and other incorrect installation. A typical DIN […]
