Nippon Pulse has introduced its new PJE series of bipolar hybrid stepper motors, which are available in sizes from 20 to 86 mm in diameter (NEMA sizes 8 to 34). These new motors round out the company’s hybrid motor line, joining the existing PJP unipolar hybrid motor series. The PJE series provides high torque in […]
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Deterministic, real-time control: What does it really mean in motion control applications?
Two terms are often used to describe the type of control that can be achieved with Industrial Ethernet networks: deterministic and real-time. Although sometimes used interchangeably, the terms deterministic and real-time refer to different, but related, characteristics of a network’s ability to transmit data or respond to events. Industrial Ethernet networks, such as EtherNet/IP, EtherCat, […]
Applied Motion Products to construct new corporate headquarters for U.S. operations
Motion control and automation solutions provider Applied Motion Products recently purchased land to build its new corporate headquarters in Morgan Hill, CA, located in Santa Clara County at the southern tip of Silicon Valley. The new headquarters will consolidate all U.S. operations (now conducted in two separate buildings located in Watsonville, CA) including production, warehouse, […]
eXtended Transport System (XTS) linear transport systems and mechatronics from Beckhoff
The eXtended Transport System (XTS) from Beckhoff Automation is now available in the U.S. The EtherCAT-enabled XTS offers paradigm-shifting capabilities for motion control and mechatronics by combining the advantages of proven rotary and linear motion principles into a new modular platform. With its compact and flexible design, the advanced mechatronic system can reduce machine footprint […]
EtherNet/IP versus EtherCAT: What’s the difference?
A recent report by HMS shows that Industrial Ethernet now makes up 59% of the global industrial network market. Here, we look at two of the most prominent Industrial Ethernet networks — EtherNet/IP and EtherCAT — and compare the strengths of each for multi-axis applications. EtherNet/IP According to the Open DeviceNet Vendors Association, EtherNet/IP is […]
Control-software portability with IEC 61131-3: How reusable are XML files?
Say an engineering team wants to switch their design’s PLC from one model to another — a relatively infrequent but ordinary specification decision. How well do XML files really work for importing and exporting? How much are component manufacturers really motivated to make that work … and not lock engineers onto one specific hardware? Engineers […]
Motion control and motor market sees slight decline in Q1 2019 versus Q1 2018
The global motion control and motor market saw a 0.2% decline in shipments in the first quarter of 2019 versus the same period last year, down to $952.3 million. However, according to the Motion Control & Motor Association, part of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), shipments were up 0.6% ($6 million) compared to the […]
POSITAL kit encoders for cost-effective position control of stepper motors
While servomotors remain the gold standard for precision motion control in industrial machinery, the improved performance of stepper motors is making these lower-cost devices an increasingly attractive alternative for many applications. The key to these performance gains is the addition of rotation-measuring encoders, especially the new absolute multi-turn kit encoders from POSITAL. Stepper motors are […]
New pitch-and-roll stages from OES rotate objects with accuracy
Positioning stages from OES now serve applications involving pitch-and-roll for micromachining, aligning mirrors (in scanning-electron microscopes), rotating objects to precise positions, and measuring angles of objects such as crystals. The stages are also suitable for applications that need to move objects to precise angular positions along an arc — for examining the cutting edges of […]
Dorner’s sanitary AquaGard 7350 V2 conveyor: Four curves with one motor
Dorner’s innovative new AquaGard 7350 V2 Curve Conveyor chain features a center bearing to eliminate friction; carry heavy load; and allow four curves to be driven by a single motor. This unique design improves productivity — plus valuable floor space — because the conveyor can make tight turns around existing machinery and equipment without being […]