by Leslie Langnau, Managing Editor Test beds will ensure new network infrastructures support the Industrial Internet of Things. As vendors develop networking infrastructures able to implement the Internet of Things (IoT), the testing of those networks becomes critical to ensure operability. In that regard, several institutions engaged in the IoT now plan to collaborate on […]
For motion in medical, it’s price, performance and reliability
by Leslie Langnau, Managing Editor for Design World— “The driving forces in medical applications today can be reduced to three words: price, performance and reliability, with each being equally critical to the success of modern medical devices requiring any level of motion control,” said Chris Blake, president of maxon precision motors, inc. The move to […]
Trends in networks: Connecting to the Internet of Things
Back in 1982, General Motors demanded that all automation control suppliers develop a communication standard that would let the automaker gather data easily from all its machines. This attempt was known as the Manufacturing Automation Protocol (MAP) and it was a huge failure. The controls vendors did not cooperate, resulting in a seven-layer monster that […]
Electric actuators: More choices for more applications
Updated May 2015 by Lisa Eitel || Faster controls, easier integration, lower drive prices and the Ethernet have all helped electric actuators, also known as electric linear drives, move into new applications. “Except for better efficiency,” noted Ernst Blumer, director, Worldwide Sales & Marketing, LinMot, “the performance of electric actuators has not undergone big changes or […]
Motion Control Simplifies Modular Printing Machinery
Edited by: Leslie Langnau, Managing Editor An economic multi-axis motion controller and software is helping Rollem – a leading specialist print machinery manufacturer rapidly evolve its modular finishing system. The motion architecture made it easy to add another peripheral to the company’s print finishing equipment range, a stacking unit that collects and groups products such […]
Keep an eye on operations with groov apps
Back in March of this year, Opto 22 introduced groov, a very easy-to-use program to build, deploy, and view simple, effective operator interfaces to monitor and control systems and equipment using computers, high-definition TVs, iPads, smart phones and other mobile devices that operate with iOS and Android platforms. More recently, the company released optional free […]
How to select an electric actuator: An engineer’s guide
Updated November 2019 ⚙️ Many applications call for the use of electromechanical actuators — which include electric motors paired with mechanical devices for converting the motor’s rotary motion into linear motion. In fact, today’s actuators are so efficient that the variety available for different design needs has proliferated. That means that actuators today are easier than […]
Motion System Drives Realistic Racing Experience
After many years of evaluating and working with motion systems for various clients, UK-based Ball Racing Developments Ltd (BRD) concluded that nothing on the market could accurately simulate a racing car’s motion. So, the management and the engineers developed a new type of system dedicated to the motions experienced in a racing car, particularly the […]
