According to the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA), the North American power distribution and motion control market is estimated at $68 billion. So within this multibillion dollar market, what are some of the trends that will shape the motion control industry in 2014? Here are a few that stand out: Single-cable solutions: A growing trend in motion […]
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Amazon’s Autonomous Delivery Drones? Not So Fast
Recently, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos revealed his company’s plans for using autonomous flying drones to deliver packages to customers within a limited range. On a segment aired on 60 Minutes, Bezos explained the concept, dubbed Amazon Prime Air, to journalist Charlie Rose. The idea doesn’t seem that far-fetched. Drone technology has existed for quite a […]
Diagnosing Motor Problems with Ease
The electronic test equipment available today for analyzing electric motors and other devices has become much more powerful. Yet in many instances, these sophisticated devices have also introduced a high degree of complexity for users, requiring that highly trained and experienced personnel perform the testing. Many of today’s devices are feature rich and capable of […]
Drives Modernize Aging Mexican Port Cranes
DC drives from Control Techniques, an Emerson Industrial Automation company, were selected by Terminal de Contenedores de Yucatán (TCY) to modernize the control system on an aging ship-to-shore crane in Progreso, México. TCY, owned by Grup TCB of Spain, is a large container and cargo-handling terminal in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula. David Asensio, Project Manager for […]
Motor and Resolver All in One
Advances in motor and feedback technology, such as encoders and resolvers, usually proceed along at an incremental pace (pardon the pun). So-called integrated servomotors have had built-in encoders for quite some time. But a new servo motion actuator integrates a resolver into the structure of a high pole count AC motor. The Mosolver™ from Quicksilver […]
Report Puts North American Power Transmission/Motion Control Market near $68 Billion
According to the newly released PTDA Power Transmission & Motion Control Market Size Report, the North American power transmission and motion control market is estimated at $67.7 billion, comprised of the U.S. market at $54 billion, the Canadian market at $6.4 billion, and the Mexican market at $7.3 billion. The research report, commissioned by the […]
Simplifying Machine Design with Plug-and-play Motion Subsystems
by Tom Maccianti, President, Bell Everman Embedding mechanical motion subsystems into machines improves performance and reduces cost. If you build machines, you probably work with actuators and positioning stages every day. But do you truly get the best performance or lowest cost of ownership from these motion devices? The answer may not be what you […]
How Safe are Lithium-Ion Batteries?
The recent incident of a Tesla Model S all-electric vehicle catching fire is renewing questions about the safety of lithium-ion batteries and their use in transportation applications. The Tesla story is the second high-profile case this year, the other involving Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, both of which involve incidents with lithium-ion batteries. The cases are shining […]
A look ahead
We talked with a select group of motion control technology providers to learn what is in store for system integrators and designers in 2014. Users of motion control technologies can be assured of one thing: energy efficiency and integrated systems will continue to be a focus. And single cable solutions will be one way in […]
Raising the Costa Concordia
If you’re anything like me, you followed one of this week’s news obsessions that, unlike a typical week, involved an amazing engineering feat. I’m talking of course about the Costa Concordia cruise ship salvage operation at Isola del Giglio off the western coast of Italy. On Monday, crews began the work of righting the ship […]