by Robert Gloeckner, Advanced Engineering Group, MICROMO Innovative components help OEMs revolutionize designs. In fact, some original equipment can now benefit from zero-backlash actuators and integrated gearhead encoders. These give designers multiple options for demanding applications. Performance, cost and size requirements for motion applications vary widely. In some cases, performance trumps all and the budget […]
Cost-effective electronic control for brushless dc motors
by Adriano De Rosa, IC Architect, Micronas || Motor drive solutions using brushless dc motors are increasing, thanks to the declining cost of electronics. Highly integrated, single-chip controllers are helping drive the trend. Advances in semiconductor integration are spurring new motor drive designs, including more intelligent drives. The various options for semiconductor integration are opening up […]
A brief introduction to common bus and line regeneration
by Steven Peterson, Product Training Engineer, Yaskawa America Deciding which setup is right for a common bus takes research and evaluation, but selecting and implementing the right one significantly improves design performance and efficiency. Here we’ll outline how to prioritize features while accommodating a given design’s potential amount of regenerative energy and harmonic content. Designers […]
Preventing overload damage (on servomotor designs) with torque limiters
By Edd Brooks • Senior Technical Support Representative | NEXEN Group A critical requirement in the design of many machines is the need to protect against damage and downtime that is often caused by machine overloads. Torque limiters address this challenge by behaving as 1:1 transmissions as long as torque is less than a specified […]
How to handle imbalances from light loads on VFDs
by Daniel Peters, Drives Application Engineer, Yaskawa America Input current imbalances happen when a variable frequency drive (VFD) with a full-bridge rectifier operates under lightly loaded conditions. Here we explain what to do about it. One phenomenon that electricians often see after installing a VFD is measurable current imbalance on the input to the VFD […]
5 myths about safety in machinery
by Motion Controls and Drives Team, Kollmorgen Safety has been a hot topic in automation and motion control—and the publication of EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC has focused more attention on the subject. Here’s what machine builders need to know about this and other safety directives—and the five most common myths about them. Also known as […]
Winding technique improves induction motor performance
by Dan Jones, President, Incremotion Associates This new technique promises to deliver both higher efficiency and better power factor for induction motors. Induction motors are the workhorse of industry. They drive everything from industrial manufacturing processes to consumer equipment like washers and dryers, among others. And they’ve been around since Nikola Tesla applied for patents […]
Programmable Encoders: The Next Generation
by Jarrod Orszulak, Product Manager, POSITAL-FRABA The latest programmable encoders offer both incremental and absolute functionality on one hardware platform and can be programmed with a WiFi connection. Programmable incremental encoders have become more common recently. This is largely due to the fact that the measurement characteristics of the device (number of pulses per rotation, […]
IP65 rating and what it means for your application
by Brian Taylor, Application Engineering Manager, Schneider Electric Motion IP ratings have very specific definitions. Here we explain exactly what kinds of water and dirt exposure IP65-rated motion components can withstand. Just like the mysteries surrounding Stonehenge, crop circles, who shot JFK, and what a self-respecting individual would actually do for a Klondike bar, some […]
Keep Your Cool with Fans for Control Equipment
by Dan Jones, Incremotion Associates New fan designs help reduce heat, dust and excessive moisture in cooling applications. An important but often secondary consideration in control systems and control cabinets is cooling. Electronic control equipment such as controllers and drives, especially equipment that’s confined to enclosures with little or no natural air movement, is especially […]
