The mistakes we outline here have been corrected countless times by thousands of step-motor users around the world. Avoid these mistakes with the presented solutions — and make your next application a successful one. By Eric Rice • National Marketing Director | Applied Motion Products Step motors offer the automation industry a cost-effective and simple […]
Industrial Automation
Beckhoff introducing XTS, EtherCAT G, and TwinCAT Vision to the U.S. at Pack Expo
To revolutionize packaging machine flexibility, scalability and energy efficiency, Beckhoff Automation will launch the eXtended Transport System (XTS) into the U.S. market at Pack Expo 2019 in Las Vegas. Visitors to booth LS-6149 in the Las Vegas Convention Center’s lower south hall will also experience the North American debut of TwinCAT Vision software, which introduces […]
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 […]
New servo actuators feature dual absolute encoder, panel mount connectors
Harmonic Drive has introduced new dual absolute encoder versions of the FHA-C mini actuator featuring BiSS-C bi-directional communication for both encoders. The dual encoders are incorporated in essentially the same package size as the long-standing FHA-C mini single incremental encoder version. Without increasing the size, the dual absolute encoder offers single-turn absolute position at the […]
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 […]
What is Industrial Ethernet and how does it differ from standard Ethernet?
You’re probably familiar with Ethernet — the networking protocol that allows computers (typically in office, school, or commercial environments) to share files, browse the internet, and access printers and other hardware connected to the network. Ethernet was developed for high-speed data transmission and is efficient, simple, and flexible. And, it’s arguably the most widely-adopted networking protocol […]
IEC 61131-3 programming: Where’s structured text more appropriate than ladder logic?
No one IEC 61131-3 language leads for all uses. In fact, the best way to program with IEC 61131-3 languages is by using multiple languages together. That accommodates (among other things) the way every engineer has a different methodology for programming. Sequential function chart (SFC): Recall that SFC is the highest-level code standard in IEC […]
Not just Allen Bradley anymore: New controllers abound
10 years ago, there was one main controller brand in U.S. automation — Rockwell Automation’s Allen Bradley. This is still a leading PLC line with a massive adoption rate in the U.S. because: • Allen Bradley did an excellent job educating people in the U.S. on ladder-diagram programming for its PLCs • The manufacturer embedded […]
New mk North America VersaMove website at mkversamove.com
Leading conveyor system designer and manufacturer, mk North America has announced the launch of an all-new website, mkversamove.com, dedicated to its VersaMove pallet-handling conveyor line. The new site is tailored to the needs of engineers and is designed to make it easier for them to locate technical data, find drawings and request a quote. The […]
