Proportional, integral, derivative (PID) position servo-loop tuning can be daunting. However, one simple technique works well for most systems. Chuck Lewin • Founder and CEO | Performance Motion Devices Inc. There are two types of servomotors commonly used for positioning motion control applications — the dc brush motor (which uses mechanical brushes to commutate the […]
Drives + Supplies
High-power nano servo drives for mobile robotics
Copley Controls has released its Nano High Power (Nano HP) and Nano Plus High Power (Plus-HP) digital servo drives for brush and brushless motors. Both series expand Copley’s compact Nano family and feature redesigned power boards for higher current output, making them ideal for traction motor applications in autonomous mobile robots (AMR), automated guided vehicles […]
Controller/drive features FOC and sensorless control
The new N6 from Nanotec is a compact and powerful controller/drive for stepper motors (NEMA 14 to 34) and BLDC motors up to NEMA 23. With field-oriented control (FOC), the N6 ensures smooth operation and high energy efficiency. Its sensorless closed-loop control provides precise management of torque and speed. The controller/drive supports Hall sensors, incremental […]
Using motion controls in autonomous robotics
A new autonomous mobile robot (AMR) employs a precision controller-drive to accurately mark construction sites with building details. By Chuck Lewin • CEO | Performance Motion Devices The construction industry is under pressure. Labor shortages, rising material costs, and demand for speed and precision are pushing builders to seek automated solutions that boost efficiency, safety, […]
Day 1: New technologies at Automate 2025
In addition to presentations and technical sessions, several dozen companies have announced new technologies at this year’s Automate Show. Some of these have been released in announcements: Festo Didactic to showcase workforce development at Automate Columbus McKinnon showcases conveyance systems at Automate 2025 Festo showing multi-axis positioning systems at Automate Automate 2025 builds on years […]
STF stepper drives and SSDC StepSERVO drives now UL certified
The Applied Motion Products STF stepper drives and SSDC StepSERVO drives are now UL certified by Underwriters Laboratories. The drives now meet stringent safety standards with certification, reducing risks of electrical hazards, fire, or component failures. The STF Stepper Drives are DC-powered microstepping drives that control two-phase, bipolar step motors. They feature advanced current control […]
Festo introduces a multiprotocol servo drive and motor developer’s kit
Festo has introduced the CMMT-ST servo drive starter kit, providing control engineers and programmers with a cost-effective way to learn commissioning and sizing for Festo’s multiprotocol servo drives, which range from 300 W DC to 12 kW AC. Each of these developer’s kits contains a CMMT-ST 300 W servo drive, EMMT-ST stepper motor with battery-free […]
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 […]
RECOM launches RACPRO1-4SP series four-channel circuit breakers
RECOM has announced the RACPRO1-4SP series, a new range of four-channel electronic circuit breakers with advanced control and protection features. After introducing the RACPRO1-T DIN-rail power supplies, RECOM is launching the RACPRO1-4SP series, a four-channel electronic fuse in a matching DIN-rail format. The RECOM e-fuses distribute a 24V supply voltage to four separately current limited […]
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 […]
