In response to their customer’s requests, encoder manufacturers continue to offer more customization options. We asked encoder manufacturers for their input on encoder trends as well as trends in the motion control industry in general. Here’s what they told us. Has your company added or expanded services to provide more in-house engineering support and upfront […]
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Industrial IoT for updating the dated — B&R Orange Box brings intelligence to legacy operations
For those looking to bring manufacturing intelligence to legacy production sites, B&R Automation introduced its new Orange Box at the 2017 Hannover Fair. According to company officials, the Orange Box lets machine operators collect and analyze data from previously isolated machines and production lines and upgrade them for IIoT/Industry 4.0 operations—with a minimal effort. An […]
Smart variable speed drive (VSD) repairs can reduce operational cost and downtime
By Brian Park • Scotland Regional Sales Manager • Sulzer || As legislation dictating efficiency requirements of electric motors tightens, the volume of variable speed drives (VSDs) in service increases. Often specified by the motor manufacturer as part of the original installation (or retrofitted to improve efficiency) the drive contains both hardware and software that is […]
Drive manufacturers deliver more integrated, IoT-ready designs
Machines with greater intelligence have long been the hot new “trend” across industries. And there’s no change in that today, as the pace of adding intelligence continues. That intelligence can come in a number of forms, including in so-called smart motors as well as in drives and controls. Along with the demand for smarter devices and […]
Lenze announces Power/mation as new distributor
Lenze Americas, a global leader and manufacturer of electrical and mechanical drives, motion control and automation technologies, has announced that Power/mation, an automation distributor based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, will now be selling a complete line of Lenze products, including general purpose inverters, amplifier servo lines, servo automation systems, engineered geared motors and mechanical components. […]
Tech trends impact belt & pulley design
Belts and pulleys are a mainstay of power transmission systems. Far from being obsolete, companies are innovating and offering smart solutions to contemporary motion system designs. Belt and pulley systems of all shapes and sizes are used in a range of applications from agricultural equipment to factory floor applications where they are an integral part of […]
maxon motor introduces first sterilizable drive system (motor, gearhead, and ENX EASY encoder)
maxon motor’s new ENX EASY encoder is a sterilizable encoder for use with maxon’s brushless DC motors. This opens up a range of new possibilities in medical technology. This is the world’s first steam sterilizable encoder ENX EASY. It is available in an incremental (1,024 counts) and absolute version (4096 steps), both designed for 1,000 autoclave cycles. […]
New BX Series Brakes from Miki Pulley for servomotors use 2/3 less power than other options
Electromagnetic Miki Pulley BX series brakes are a power-off, engaged type brake. When the stator is energized, the brake is disengaged allowing free rotation. When no current is applied, compression springs halt the brake rotor thereby stopping the input shaft rotation. This is useful to prevent power failure events. More after the jump. Of the […]
ETG at Hannover demonstrates how EtherCAT supports Industrie 4.0 and IoT developments
There is nothing new about the suitability of EtherCAT when enabling the concepts of Industrie 4.0. The technology has, by design, all the tools necessary to support the digital transformation. As the world’s largest fieldbus user organization, the EtherCAT Technology Group (ETG) strives to be actively involved in the developments surrounding Industrie 4.0 and IoT. […]
Why is the electrical time constant important for stepper motors?
Motor windings have a property referred to as inductance, which is a resistance to any change in the electrical current through the winding. The result of inductance is the production of back EMF to oppose the change in current. Where: Eb = back EMF (volts) L = inductance (H, or Ohm-s) dI/dt = rate of […]