Clutches and brakes hold, stop or index loads in motion designs. Especially over the last five years, a trend toward application-specific components has quickened as several industries push the performance envelope of stock parts. So, we asked industry experts about this and other trends spurring clutch and brake innovation. The biggest growth in industrial clutch and […]
Leading the trend toward integration in 2016: Motion controllers
Motion controllers are more integrated and programmable than ever, thanks to increasing capabilities on both ASICs and FPGAs to process inputs and outputs for motion control. Some electronics even let end users customize feedback for closed-loop control. Industries spurring controller innovation for all hardware types are packaging, paper and pump processing, and medical. The former demands […]
Top gear trend: Industry demands varied designs faster
Gearsets and gearmotors are more customized than ever, following a general trend toward application-specific machine builds. Increasingly common are tailored versions of standard gear offerings featuring engineered metal and plastic subsections in an array of ratios and flange geometries, as well as bearing and housing options to right-size reducer builds. “General trends in machine design are […]
Updated: Trends in electric motors Part III — Networking, IoT, and sensing takes motor-driven designs to new heights
This article is one in a multi-part series covering the most recent trends in motions designs relating to electric motors. Here are other installments: Updated: Trends in electric motors Part I — Miniaturization, connectivity, and customization Updated: Trends in electric motors Part II — Scott Evans of Kollmorgen sets record straight on motion design All […]
New I/O configurations for PLC+HMI controllers for flexibility to small applications
Unitronics — in an effort to satisfy market needs and customer requests — now offer several new I/O configurations to both Samba and Jazz lines of all-in-one PLC+HMI controllers. These lines are self-contained, non-expanded PLCs with onboard I/O and integrated HMI perfect for powerful control for small applications … … the new I/O configurations offer increased flexibility with […]
Impressive when things get tough: Robust multiturn encoder Sendix M36R
Kübler is expanding its portfolio in the area of absolute multiturn encoders. The new Sendix M36 Series of magnetic multiturn encoders is complemented by an extremely robust variant. The harsh environment of mobile automation, wind power plants and maritime applications places particularly high demands on sensors. Sensors must withstand shocks, vibrations and temperature fluctuations. They […]
New Neugart USA headquarters lowers lead times, expands reach
Neugart USA has just opened a new state-of-the-art manufacturing and assembly plant in Charlotte, North Carolina. This new 30,000 square foot plant replaces and builds on the capabilities of its previous facilities in Virginia and Pennsylvania. Thomas Osygus, General Manager of Neugart USA, reported, “With all our production and customer service now in one location, […]
Updated: Trends in electric motors Part II — Scott Evans of Kollmorgen sets record straight on motion design
In a recent interview with Scott Evans, Director of Product Strategy at Kollmorgen (for our Motion Trends coverage of electric motors) we got particularly good insight on the changes of today’s motion design. Following is some of Scott’s perceptive commentary. Enjoy! Several industries are spurring the biggest changes in motion design. Motion design changes in electronic hardware One obvious change in motion […]
Electric motor miniaturization, connectivity, and customization
Updated November 2019 ⚙️ Leading trends in electric motors for motion designs are migration to custom solutions; heightening emphasis on efficiency; and (where suitable) more use of motors that allow for miniaturization (with power-dense designs) and connectivity for IoT capabilities. “As reshoring picks up steam, we see more mass-customization,” said Scott Evans, director of product […]
FAQ: How do PC-based controls differ from traditional motion controls?
Recently, our regular contributor Steve Meyer spoke to us about the history of motion control and how PC-based controls came about. Here’s what he said. Traditional motion controllers are the result of decades of slowly evolving electronics hardware and custom software libraries … dedicated to performing motion-control tasks. PC-based control systems are relatively recent, and […]