Motion controllers come in many shapes and sizes to fit unique and specific application needs. From small embedded controllers that can be integrated into a servo motor along with a drive and feedback, to large stand-alone controllers attached to machines, there’s a controller to match every application need. The type of controller can usually dictate […]
Advanced feedforward and trajectory control
Using a trajectory-following controller provides several significant benefits, especially in systems requiring smooth, precise, and reliable movements. Neyram Hemati, Ph.D. Department of Mechanical Engineering, San Jose State University Don Macleod, Ph.D. CEO, Applied Motion Products Model-based feedforward control is a predictive control strategy using a mathematical model of the system to predict the control input […]
Winners announced in the 2025 LEAP Awards Motion Control category
The winners of the 2025 LEAP (Leadership in Engineering Achievement Program) Awards were announced earlier this week in a digital ceremony, with products across 11 categories, including Motion Control. What sets the LEAP Awards apart from so many others is the involvement of the engineering community. Each year, the Design World editorial team assembles a […]
How does IO-Link compare to competitive offerings for connectivity?
IO-Link is an open standard, point-to-point communication link for sensors and actuators. It’s defined by the IEC 61131-9 international standard which specifies a single-drop digital communication interface technology (SDCI, commonly referred to as IO-Link) for sensors and actuators. A typical IO-Link configuration includes an IO-Link master, which is the interface between the devices and a […]
Friction-reduced rolling bearings increase efficiency and sustainability
Rolling bearings feature especially low friction characteristics, making it possible to reduce bearing friction by half, and offering the construction machinery sector the opportunity to achieve significant carbon dioxide savings without imposing high development costs. Stefan Scharting Schaeffler KG Schweinfurt, Germany Rolling bearings with optimized friction and performance characteristics can have a significant influence when it comes to reducing the power […]
Accurate high-cycle clutch-brake positioning control
Force Control Industries presents the CLPC Control Model LC, which provides precise positioning on indexing applications when coupled with a Posidyne clutch brake. Designed to control high cycle count applications where the scan times of PLCs are too slow for accurate positioning, the CLPC-LC includes the CLPC control unit, and a position encoder mounted on […]
High-power nano servo drives for mobile robotics
Copley Controls has released its Nano High Power (Nano HP) and Nano Plus High Power (Plus-HP) digital servo drives for brush and brushless motors. Both series expand Copley’s compact Nano family and feature redesigned power boards for higher current output, making them ideal for traction motor applications in autonomous mobile robots (AMR), automated guided vehicles […]
Acromag adds stepper motor controller to family of modules with multi-protocol communication
Acromag now offers a stepper motor controller in their BusWorks NT Series of Ethernet I/O modules. The new NT2710 module provides six pulse train/logic outputs, six encoder inputs, and four general-purpose digital I/O for motion control applications with stepper motor drivers. A wide variety of commands are supported to precisely control the stepper motor position, […]
Controller/drive features FOC and sensorless control
The new N6 from Nanotec is a compact and powerful controller/drive for stepper motors (NEMA 14 to 34) and BLDC motors up to NEMA 23. With field-oriented control (FOC), the N6 ensures smooth operation and high energy efficiency. Its sensorless closed-loop control provides precise management of torque and speed. The controller/drive supports Hall sensors, incremental […]
New motors, gearhead, and encoders with 16-mm diameter from FAULHABER
With a new size of the SXR motors, the powerful motor of the new GXR family, the high-precision encoder and the matching gearhead, FAULHABER presents products that are perfectly matched to one another, come from a single source, all diameter compliant with 16 mm. This combination enables optimal efficiency, maximum dynamics and absolute precision ideal […]
