To understand electronic camming, it helps to first know a bit about traditional mechanical cams. A traditional mechanical cam setup works like this: the cam is typically a rotating part on a machine shaft that imparts motion onto a part called a follower. The cam itself can be irregularly shaped (not circular), oval shaped or […]
FAQs + basics
What are the best methods for gearbox lubrication?
Like other types of rotating equipment, gearboxes rely on lubrication to reduce friction and provide cooling for optimal operation and life. Gearbox manufacturers provide recommendations for the type of lubrication to be used and the typical lubrication intervals, but the actual gearbox lubrication requirements depend on the environmental conditions the gearbox is exposed to, whether […]
Gearbox with near-full contact of meshing gears increases riveting rate for robotic fuselage assembly
The newest high-torque gearbox offering from WITTENSTEIN offers extreme torsional rigidity and the world’s first zero-backlash operation for applications that need superior precision in output motion. In contrast with other gear offerings that transmit power over lines of contact on gear teeth, meshing gears in the Galaxie make almost full-surface contact. This allows for tooth […]
How does cabling contribute to servomotor electrical noise problems?
The sources of electrical noise can be varied, but one of the most common sources is from the high-frequency signals generated by variable frequency drives (VFDs.) This noise, called electromagnetic interference (EMI), can be picked up through cabling. Cables themselves can be manufactured with special shielding to guard against EMI issues. The purpose of cable […]
When are worm gears self-locking, and where is this useful?
Worm gears are often used for their ability to provide large speed reduction and high torque multiplication. But their self-locking properties can also be beneficial in many applications. In a worm gear assembly, the worm is typically the driving component. Self-locking means that the gear cannot drive the worm. In other words, back driving is […]
Helical gears: What are they and where are they used?
Helical gears and spur gears are two of the most common gear types and can be used in many of the same applications. Spur gears are simple and inexpensive to manufacture, but helical gears offer some important advantages over spur gears. The teeth of a helical gear are set at an angle (relative to axis […]
What are the drawbacks to using a planetary gearbox?
One type of gearbox meets all the design criteria of servo applications while providing relatively long operating life with low maintenance requirements — the planetary gearbox. That’s because planetary gearboxes offer high torque transmission with good stiffness and low noise in a footprint that’s more compact than that of other gearbox types. Read more about how […]
What’s the difference between an industrial PC for motion control and a regular PC?
The basic difference between regular, desktop PCs used in office environments and specialized industrial PCs is the construction. Industrial PCs are built to be more rugged and reliable with protections from common environmental contaminants such as dust, debris and even water, as well as containing features to minimize effects from shock and vibration. They are […]
Application example: HMI on medical-device manufacturing equipment
Most hospitalized patients receive an IV soon after admission … and sometimes insertion of the needle is painful. But once placed, discomfort subsides — as the plastic tubing that connects the IV bag to the arm is shaped to smoothly glide into veins and remain comfortable during use. Equipment made by Silverstone Automation — the manufacturer’s […]
9 considerations when picking servocouplings for servo applications — and 4 references from couplingtips.com
Couplings for servo applications usually connect precision drives to sensitive loads, so they cannot induce any error. That’s why servocouplings should be zero backlash — to prevent issues with timing and predictability (not to mention failures due to hammering on reversing axes). Couplings for servo applications must also have high torsional stiffness while imparting slight […]