Understanding the torque equation and the relationship between speed and torque is an important part of selecting and operating a DC motor. DC motors are relatively simple machines: when the load on the motor is constant, speed is proportional to supply voltage. And when supply voltage is constant, speed is inversely proportional to the load […]
FAQs + basics
Motion applications for transducers and sensors
Transducers and sensors are essential components for data collection, systems monitoring, and control feedback. In motion-control applications, transducers take the form of rotary or linear encoders for position feedback, sensors such as tachometers for speed sensing, and even proximity switches to initiate or halt some machine action. In hydraulic motion control systems, for instance, pressure […]
FAQ: What is phase lag and what effect does it have on DC motors?
In a brushless DC (BLDC) motor, permanent magnets are mounted to the rotor, and the stator has windings that are energized by external current to produce electromagnetic poles. Brushless motors use electrical commutation to determine the switching sequence of the stator coils, and BLDC motors can be driven with either trapezoidal or sinusoidal commutation. Trapezoidal commutation is […]
FAQ: What are gearmotor performance curves?
Performance curves for gearmotors are central to selecting the correct gearmotor for a given application. They typically display three parameters; speed, torque, and efficiency. Essentially, they combine motor performance and gearbox performance into one graph. Speed and torque information is normally found on a motor’s torque-speed curve, which provides information about the relationship between a […]
Unique servomotors improve packaging application
High-capacity manufacturing applications are leveraging servomotors and drives in their quest to achieve better efficiency with automation. This is because servomotors are one of the most commonly used motors for precision positioning and load-responsive motion. Servomotors power applications in a wide range of industries, though are most suited for controlling the movement of machines in packaging, […]
FAQ: How do digital encoders simplify setup and zeroing?
In a recent Design World video, my esteemed colleague Miles Budimir and I got to assemble and zero an AMT31 commutation encoder from CUI Inc. As we’ve covered in other editorial, capacitive technology can outperform optical technology. Used for years in digital calipers and to measure rotational movement, capacitive technology in encoders replaces optical disks with a printed circuit-board rotor […]
Stepper motors excel in unique conveying application
Stepper motors are common in positioning applications and have the advantage of being accurately controllable down to fractions of a degree, even without the use of feedback devices such as encoders or resolvers. They operate in open-loop (not closed-loop), without the need for tuning parameters as in closed-loop systems. Stepper motors are also relatively inexpensive. Because […]
What is TTL output for incremental encoders?
Updated August 2018 || Rotary encoders are used to track the angular position of a shaft, providing either incremental or absolute position information. Incremental rotary encoders work by generating pulses as the shaft rotates. By counting the number of pulses, the position of the shaft relative to its starting position can be determined. Rotary encoders […]
FAQ: What kinds of housings are there for gearmotors?
The quality of a gearmotor depends on a number of different factors. Aside from elements such as the quality and type of gears in the gearmotor and the type of motor used, housing material also plays a role in determining gearmotor quality and performance. There are a few common types of materials used in gearmotor […]
Low-power applications benefit from gearmotors
Applications that require a lot of force to move heavy loads are the most common for gearmotors. Most industrial gearmotors incorporate fixed-speed ac motors. However, some gearmotors use dc motors, which are common in automotive applications, among others. It’s possible to combine many different motors and gearsets. However, not just any one will work for […]