The Swiss drive specialist maxon motor is expanding its range of miniature servo controllers by adding the ESCON Module 50/8 HE (Harsh Environment). This compact plug-in module with a nominal current of 8 A is a true powerhouse, designed for brushed and brushless DC motors with a peak power of up to 750 W. However, […]
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Catching up with Oriental Motor at MD&M East
Earlier this month, I spoke with Viet Le, Senior Sales Engineer, Oriental Motor at the MD&M East/ATX East show in New York City. The company was showing off its AZ series of closed-loop absolute mechanical encoder stepper motors—they feature low vibration and high efficiency, and you don’t even have to purchase a battery back-up or […]
Slotless brushless motor designs offer three advantages: Details on linear behavior and more
In a recent video recorded at the Design World studios, I teamed up with my colleague Paul Heney to review the features of three motors (including slotless brushless motor options) from Koford Engineering in Winchester, Ohio. Related article: What are the differences between slotted and slotless motors? Brushless motors are like brush motors but use electronic […]
Where are digital servo drives used?
The original servo drives are analog types that operate on ±10-Volt inputs. In contrast, digital servo drives operate over fieldbus networks that now dominate the market. The primary difference in construction between digital and analog drives is that a digital drive includes a microprocessor to carry out computations — in turn to determine the output […]
Catching up with Beckhoff at ATXEast
I had a great chat with Beckhoff’s Daymon Thompson at last week’s ATX East trade show at New York’s Javits Center. The PC-based machine controls company features a range of processors, from an ARM processor all the way up to an industrial server with 36 cores and two terabytes of memory—possibly the biggest PLC on […]
Where are analog servo drives used?
The purpose of a servo drive is to convert low-power signals from the controller to high-power signals to the motor, instructing it to produce the desired torque or velocity. Servo drives (also referred to as servo amplifiers) can operate on either analog or digital input signals. Analog servo drives receive ±10-Volt analog signals from the […]
SigmaLogic7 Compact — AOI functionality, more compact, and PLC compatible
The Drives and Motion Division of Yaskawa America, Inc. introduces the SigmaLogic7 Compact. This new servo amplifier makes it possible to add the exceptional precision and superior performance of a Sigma-7 servo system in machines using Rockwell Automation programmable logic controllers. SigmaLogic7 Compact builds on the legacy of the SigmaLogic, the first Yaskawa SERVOPACK to […]
Baldor at Electrical Apparatus Service Association (EASA) 2017 conference in Tampa
The annual EASA conference and convention will be held this year June 25-27 at the Tampa Convention Center. If you’re attending, visit Baldor at Booth #501. “As a supporter and exhibitor at EASA for more than 30 years, we value our relationship with the organization and its members. They are our service arm for electrical […]
Quiet slotless, brushless motors from Koford
Koford Engineering’s new line of 2.3 in. (60mm) slotless brushless motors are designed for low noise and high efficiency. They are available with a variety of windings and in either sensorless or Hall sensor configuration. Rated output is up to 800 W continuous power with no load speeds from 3.864 to 25,104 rpm. The slotless […]
Automation and motor control: ABB releases new ACS380 machinery drive
The ACS380 machinery drive is part of ABB’s all-compatible drives portfolio designed to offer technically compatible drive, as well as an all-compatible setup for people, process, business, and environmental goals. The ACS380 offers an intuitive control panel with an icon-based menu for easy and smart commissioning of the drive. All essential features are built-in as […]