Many industrial applications require linear motion during their operating sequence. One of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to accomplish this is with a pneumatic actuator, often referred to as an air cylinder. Actuators are typically mechanical devices that take energy and convert it into some kind of motion. That motion can be in any […]
FAQs + basics
When to use gears to change the inertia ratio of a motor-driven system
In any system where a motor drives a load to achieve precise positioning, velocity, or torque, the ratio of the load inertia to the motor inertia plays a significant role in determining the motor’s ability to effectively and efficiently control the load, especially during acceleration and deceleration portions of the motion profile. In this context, the […]
What are some common PAC chassis, module, controller, and I/O options?
In the field of programmable controllers, there are a number of different types of product offerings, depending on the application requirements. Traditional programmable logic controllers (PLCs) have been the industry standard for decades. They are well known and understood in terms of operation and programming and there are many PLC manufacturers to choose from. As […]
What is disturbance rejection in motion control?
One of the key functions of a motion controller is to create the trajectories the motor follows in order to reach the target position (or velocity or torque). As the motor turns, the controller processes feedback from the encoder and compares the actual position of the motor with the desired position. If there are any […]
AC induction motor inertia: What’s the difference between WK2 and WR2?
In any motor-driven system, the difference between the motor inertia and the load inertia will affect the system’s performance — especially its ability to accelerate the load quickly and efficiently. While servo motors are the preferred choice for applications that specify a precise move profile, AC induction motors are often the better choice for applications […]
What are ultrasonic proximity sensors?
Ultrasonic proximity sensors are a common type of proximity sensor used in many manufacturing and automation applications. Mainly for object detection and distance measurement, they’re commonly used in food and beverage processing and various packaging applications. Ultrasonic sensors work by using sound frequencies higher than the audible limit of human hearing (around 20 kHz), which […]
What is droop control in the context of AC motors and drives?
One of the fundamental characteristics of an AC induction motor is that the rotor spins at a slower rate than that of the stator’s rotating magnetic field. This difference in speed between the rotor and the stator’s magnetic field is known as slip. Slip allows the motor to produce torque — the higher the slip, […]
What’s the difference between a dashpot and a snubber?
Dashpots and snubbers are two types of pneumatic device used for controlling the movement of a load — typically for the purpose of controlled deceleration or motion damping. Although they can be used to control rotary motion, the more common uses for dashpots and snubbers in industrial applications involve the control of linear motion mechanisms, […]
What’s the difference between PL and SIL machine safety standards?
Machine safety is governed by two standards: EN/ISO 13849-1 and EN/IEC 62061. Both standards are harmonized to the EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, which defines the Essential Health and Safety Requirements (EHSR) for machinery. Although their methods for performing risk assessment are different, both standards — EN ISO 13849-1 and EN 62061 — when correctly applied, […]
What are inductive proximity sensors?
Proximity sensors are commonly used in many automation applications. They’re used to sense the presence of objects and don’t require physical contact with the target or object being sensed, which is why they’re often referred to as non-contact sensors. Common proximity sensor types include photoelectric, capacitive, and inductive sensors. Inductive sensors operate on the […]