Oriental Motor now sells BLE2 Series brushless motor-driver sets for high performing and energy-efficient speed control. The BLE2 Series replaces the widely used Oriental Motor BLE Series motion offerings … and offers enhanced advantages of brushless-motor operation. In fact, the BLE2 Series brushless motor-driver offerings feature an all-new compact (and high-power and efficient) brushless dc […]
Self-powered hub-wheel drive combines wheel, motor, gearbox, and brake: Now in expanded production
ABM Drives Suzhou Co. Ltd. recently doubled production in China of its self-powered hub-wheel drive. Offered as a 0.6-kW version, this powered hub wheel drive package includes the wheel with tire, ac motor, gearbox and brake. Typical applications include moving 1,000 to 5,000 pounds at speeds of 1.5 to 2.5 mph. The max wheel diameter […]
Networking for motion: Update on five realtime Ethernet-based protocols
Industrial communication protocols — including traditional fieldbuses and permutations based on Industrial Ethernet — are systems of rules for messaging between automation components. Variations abound, and there’s no dominant setup with which all devices work. What is clear is that communications offering more connectivity than current-loop (4-to-20-mA) analog communications continue proliferation into even once-simple motion […]
Human-machine interfaces (HMIs): Hardware, software, and new modes of connectivity
Gone are the days of HMIs merely consolidating switches, pushbuttons, meters, and operator warning lights. Today’s HMIs now control machines and even whole production lines with functions to analyze and optimize operations. Some serve as the processor for I/O signals providing feedback on speeds, temperatures, torque, tension, and more to optimize processes. Here, HMIs provide […]
What limits wave-spring working height and axial force?
Wave springs are core to myriad gear, actuator, clutch, and consumer-grade motion assemblies. They are load bearing — included in designs to address play or compensate for dimensional variations. Wave springs apply load in axially — so are specified by working height (and other parameters). All springs are either for applying load in tension, compression, […]
What are common modes of industrial clutch and brake engagement?
Key parameters dictate which clutches and brakes are suitable for a given application: The first parameter is the mode of motion and whether the axis needs a brake or clutch. Clutches generally bridge moving machine sections to shape relative motion, while brakes’ main job is to stop and hold rotating elements. Several design variations exist, […]
What are gas springs? A technical primer
Gas springs, also called gas dampers, tension springs, or gas-pressure springs depending on the setup and context, are compressed-air or oil cylinders that install in motion designs to damp forces and return kinematic linkages and more complicated assemblies to default positions. Gas springs work through a piston on the end of a rod that protrudes […]
Application brief: Gearboxes in electric adventure vehicles (EAVs)
Electric adventure vehicles (EAVs) need light transmission components but lots of torque. So EAV maker Outrider USA recently sourced a Neugart planetary gearbox to solve the design problem. Outrider makes several versions of the Alpha (for everyday use on gravel and streets) and the Horizon for offroad cycling. Each model has a drive to output […]
HMIs from Pro-face — SP5000 in new screen sizes and with SP-5B41 Open Box unit
Pro-face America now offers an expanded SP5000 series modular HMI family. New options include screens with widths of 15 in. and 19-in. These two new display sizes provide more options for designers with applications that demand larger screens. Both the 15-in. screen and 19-in. screen come with an enhanced glass-top design that boosts visualization and […]
Motor and gearbox maker Lafert North America expands its team
Lafert North America, manufacturer of metric AC motors, metric gearboxes and coolant pumps, is pleased to announce the appointment of Eric Cheung to the role of Sales representative. Cheung brings 7 years of experience in the power transmission (PT) industry in technical support roles using his mechanical engineering knowledge to build customer relations and deliver […]