Gas springs, also called gas dampers, tension springs, or gas-pressure springs depending on the setup and context, are compressed-air or oil cylinders that install in motion designs to damp forces and return kinematic linkages and more complicated assemblies to default positions. Gas springs work through a piston on the end of a rod that protrudes […]
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Application brief: Gearboxes in electric adventure vehicles (EAVs)
Electric adventure vehicles (EAVs) need light transmission components but lots of torque. So EAV maker Outrider USA recently sourced a Neugart planetary gearbox to solve the design problem. Outrider makes several versions of the Alpha (for everyday use on gravel and streets) and the Horizon for offroad cycling. Each model has a drive to output […]
Encoder resolution and accuracy: What’s the difference?
Encoders are at the heart of any closed loop servo system, providing feedback to the controller, which uses this information to determine if the motor reached the commanded position or velocity. Thus, encoder resolution and accuracy are essential to the proper operation of a closed-loop system. Resolution is the distance over which a single encoder […]
HMIs from Pro-face — SP5000 in new screen sizes and with SP-5B41 Open Box unit
Pro-face America now offers an expanded SP5000 series modular HMI family. New options include screens with widths of 15 in. and 19-in. These two new display sizes provide more options for designers with applications that demand larger screens. Both the 15-in. screen and 19-in. screen come with an enhanced glass-top design that boosts visualization and […]
New angular positioning system for metrology and micromachining from HEIDENHAIN
The new SRP 5000 angular positioning system from HEIDENHAIN incorporates its high accuracy MRP 5000 angle encoder with accomplished bearing technology along with a unique ETEL torque motor with ultra-low detent torque. This combination allows for high stiffness with low cost of ownership and can easily replace rotary air bearing systems used for metrology. Industries […]
How are encoders used for speed measurement?
The most common use for encoders is to measure angular or linear distance, but encoders can also be used to perform speed or velocity measurements. This is possible because there is a linear relationship between an encoder’s pulse frequency and its rotational velocity. In other words, as the encoder rotates faster, the pulse frequency increases […]
What are overrunning clutches?
Overrunning clutches, sometimes called freewheel clutches, are used to freewheel in one direction while driving in another direction of rotation. When the driven shaft is rotating faster than the driveshaft, the clutch mechanically disconnects the driveshaft from the driven shaft. They are used in heavy-duty applications, such as agriculture, mining, aerospace, industrial metal processing, indexing, […]
Motor and gearbox maker Lafert North America expands its team
Lafert North America, manufacturer of metric AC motors, metric gearboxes and coolant pumps, is pleased to announce the appointment of Eric Cheung to the role of Sales representative. Cheung brings 7 years of experience in the power transmission (PT) industry in technical support roles using his mechanical engineering knowledge to build customer relations and deliver […]
How do brushless-motor drives eliminate motor power-supply setup?
In a recent video recorded at the Design World studios, I teamed up with my colleague Paul Heney to review the features of a brushless-motor drive from Koford Engineering in Winchester, Ohio. Consider some examples from Koford Engineering, which sells a full line of compact 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, and 40-A brushless motor drives. […]
How are complementary signals used to mitigate encoder noise?
Electrical noise is a common problem that occurs during the transmission of an incremental encoder’s signal to the receiving electronics, especially when the cable lengths are very long. Stray electromagnetic fields or currents induce unwanted voltages into the signal. These voltages can cause the receiver to make false counts, producing errors in the position or […]