Motion is present in almost all industrial automation systems. Stopping or changing the direction of that motion releases kinetic energy, which can cause shock and vibration to occur. Any sudden shock in a system can cause immediate damage to the overall machine and the components it may be manufacturing or processing. And consistent vibration inputs […]
5 design considerations for gearmotor applications
Edited by Mary C. Gannon, Senior Editor • To select the best gearmotor for an application, it is important to go into more detail than just selecting the best suitable output speed and torque. Here are five criteria you should consider. While output speed and torque are are clearly important when selecting and designing with […]
Elevator cable lifts help Cedar Point’s Millennium Force reach new heights
Cedar Point’s Millennium Force was a record-breaking achievement when it opened in 2000, carrying riders up a 310-ft hill, then dropping them at speeds of 93 mph at an 80° drop. The “giga coaster” became in instant hit with fans and still is, but embarking on this ambitious adventure required some creative engineering. In our […]
Tried-and-true chain lift and motor technology makes Cedar Point’s Gatekeeper roller coaster soar
Reliability. Longevity. Simplicity. Those are just a few of the key words that come to mind when you learn why Cedar Point, a world-famous amusement park located in Sandusky, Ohio, went with tried-and-true chain lift technology on its winged roller coaster, the Gatekeeper. For the first installment in Design World’s Summer Tech Vacation video series, […]
Keep Your Machines Healthy by Taking a Look Inside
By Mary C. Gannon • Diagnostics monitoring programs can prevent lost hours, production and money by alerting maintenance personnel of potential failures in their motion control systems. Machine uptime is critical in any automation system, whether it be a CNC machine tool or a miles-long conveyor system used in mining. If a machine fails unexpectedly, it […]
Dielectric Fluid Helps Downsize Controllers for Naval Use
Electronics are getting smaller and lighter. This is especially true in defense applications, where achieving high power density in small packages is almost always a given. Moog’s Naval Business Unit was recently given such a challenge, as it needed to fit fifteen times the amount of power without increasing volume into a controller. By refining […]
A look ahead
We talked with a select group of motion control technology providers to learn what is in store for system integrators and designers in 2014. Users of motion control technologies can be assured of one thing: energy efficiency and integrated systems will continue to be a focus. And single cable solutions will be one way in […]
Fun at NIWeek
I saw something interesting as day two of NIWeek progressed: families, with small children wandering throughout the conference and exhibit halls. At first I thought it was a bit strange, but once I really began to explore the exhibit floor for myself, I understood why National Instruments invited families to attend the event. One of […]
A first-timer’s look at NIWeek
This is my first time at NI Week and the first word that comes to mind is “impressive.” Throughout the morning keynote presentations on Tuesday, you could really tell that the NI staff, from marketing to product managers and design engineers, truly love what they do here and enjoy making the products that will, in […]
