Over the last year, Design World has tracked several persistent and emerging trends that build on the last decade’s innovations. With some notable exceptions, many of the core technologies employed in motion systems and automation are familiar. Yet, propelled by the radically increased capabilities of electronics and software, these core technologies have catapulted the design-engineering […]
Controls
Delta Motion, acontis Technologies expand EtherCAT capabilities
Delta Motion has announced the addition of EtherCAT MainDevice capability to its RMC200 Motion Controller. By partnering with acontis technologies and using their software suite, Delta Motion has implemented a full-featured and highly flexible product. The addition of EtherCAT MainDevice capability to the RMC200 offers flexibility for connecting to and controlling any devices needed for […]
Precision and miniature technologies at MD&M ATX West
The annual MD&M ATX West show in Anaheim, Calif. is a great place to see how far the industry has advanced precision and miniature technologies over the previous year. Micro-springs, 2-mm linear guides, and slotless motors thinner than chopsticks were just some of the miniature components on display. Our esteemed colleague Rachael Pasini has posted […]
Drives boost manufacturing-automation efficiency
Nidec Drives has led motor-control innovation for decades from its UK headquarters in Newtown, Mid Wales. Recently, the company updated its own manufacturing operations from Industry 3.0 operations dominated by manual tasks to Industry 5.0. For example, raw materials were once manually transported by operators from a warehouse to a module assembly plant via forklift […]
Kollmorgen expands functional safety support with SafeMotion Monitor upgrade
Kollmorgen announced the latest update to its SafeMotion Monitor (SMM) firmware: SMM2.0. This upgrade allows OEMs to leverage SMM functional safety features with more encoder and motor types to support a wider range of applications such as material forming, multi-axis measurement equipment, food processing and food packaging. Originally standard for the 2G Motion System, SMM2.0 […]
Realtime communications with TSN hit the big time
Smart manufacturing, battery production, and the packaging industry all benefit from realtime and deterministic communications. Lisa Eitel • Executive editor | Design World Thomas Burke • Global Strategic Advisor | CC Link Partner Association (CLPA) Realtime and deterministic communications based on Ethernet have become essential to modern-day discrete automation. Now, all major industrial network protocols […]
New motion controllers for four different motor technologies
Now, new MC 3602 B and MC 3606 B motion controllers simplify the selection and commissioning of drive systems. With encoders, these compact MC 3602/06 B controllers serve as servodrives in accordance with CiA 402 to command various DC motors, brushless DC motors, and linear motors. The controllers are also compatible with stepper motors (with […]
New Motion-PLC combines motion and logic, reducing cost and complexity of machine design
Trio Motion Technology has launched Motion-PLC, a new class of machine controller that combines motion, robotics, and logic. Motion-PLC provides Trio’s advanced motion control performance with the functionality and simplicity of a PLC to reduce the cost and complexity of machine design. The new controller combines multi-axis motion control and IEC language programming with Trio’s […]
Combined PLC+HMI from IDEC is compact, feature packed
IDEC Corporation has updated its SmartAXIS touch family with the new FT1J Series combined PLC+HMI. This device combines a built-in full function controller, both onboard and expandable I/O, and an advanced technology 4.3-in. touchscreen display, in a compact all-in-one form factor that is rightsized for visualizing and automating a wide range of applications. The FT1J […]
Kollmorgen announces next-generation PCMM2G controller
Kollmorgen has released its new PCMM2G programmable motion controller. This highly scalable controller offers simple integration with systems based on the Kollmorgen Automation Suite as well as with third-party devices, bringing new capabilities and greatly increased performance to everything from standalone machines to complex, modular automation systems. The PCMM2G controller is compatible with previous-generation PDMM […]
