Since their emergence in the early 1990s, eBikes have undergone a steady series of improvements in range, reliability, and performance that have won them a growing number of loyal users worldwide. Equipped with specially engineered frames, high-capacity Li-Ion batteries, and highly efficient drive control electronics, today’s eBikes have become a low-carbon option to cars for […]
Industrial Automation
Video: What is a torque limiter?
Torque limiters are mechanical and electromechanical power-transmission devices that protect machine sections (or workpieces they’re servicing) from overloads, crashes, and damage from jams. Torque limiters work either by slipping or completely disconnecting the drive from the driven load. Some torque limiters of the former type (especially those employing friction plates) are also called slip clutches. […]
What is safe motion monitoring?
Machines and equipment placed on the European market must conform with essential health and safety requirements of the Machinery Directive. The Directive specifies that manufacturers of machines and equipment must conduct a risk assessment and implement measures to eliminate or reduce hazards that pose a risk to people, equipment, product, or the environment. These hazards […]
What is the Machinery Directive and how does it relate to motion system safety?
Machines and equipment placed on the EU market must be CE-marked, indicating conformity with the essential safety and health requirements of the Machinery Directive. The Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC is a set of legal requirements for manufacturers and distributors of machines in or to the EU market that ensures the safety of operators, maintenance personnel, equipment, and […]
Getting to the point in precision
A new measurement concept aims to set a standard that promises to get at real-world levels of precision in motion control systems. Bill Hennessey • CEO/Founder • ALIO Industries Technological advancements often require a root and branch change in the language and nature of discussion associated with them. Consider the case of electricity. When it […]
Environmental effects on motion components in robots
Here we outline leading factors affecting the longevity and performance of industrial robot joints. This feature was contributed by Kollmorgen engineering staff. Links refer to supporting research listed at the feature conclusion. Recent years have seen continuous demand in numerous industries — automotive manufacturing to computer, communication, and consumer electronics (3C) product fabrication — for […]
Getting servo motor and drive phase and commutation alignments right
Addressing issues related to commutation alignment between AC PM servo motors and servo drive amplifiers — especially when motor and drive are from different manufacturers — can be quite challenging. Here we outline how to make that easier. By Hurley Gill • Senior applications and systems engineer | Kollmorgen In this article, we’ll start by confirming […]
Merger of two existing product lines: Dorner’s FlexMove conveyors
Dorner has consolidated two existing product lines and unified them into a single platform, which is now called FlexMove. While the FlexMove name isn’t new to Dorner, it now incorporates the features and strengths of the former SmartFlex conveyor line. The FlexMove flexible chain conveyor brings the best engineering and performance standards in flexible conveying […]
Motion-failure alarm from Siemens supports commissioning and configuration
Siemens now sells a Sitrans WM300 motion failure alarm (MFA) to detect changes in the motion and speed of rotating, reciprocating, or conveying equipment. This alarm acts as an early warning system for a plant’s machinery, alerting users to potential problems in their operations before they occur or develop into something more serious. This versatile […]
Unidrive DFS free-standing drives now available from Control Techniques
Users of high-power drives can now receive pre-engineered ready-made drive enclosure systems in as little as one day for emergency breakdowns — via Control Techniques’ Drive Free Standing (DFS) Series. Mission-critical machines and project timelines are supported with rapid deployment capabilities of select factory stocked units, as well as industry best leadtimes across the power […]
