A new type of integrated hybrid servo motor is finding use in direct-drive applications where it offers lower cost, smaller size, and higher efficiency than conventional servo motors. Donald Labriola P.E. QuickSilver Controls, Inc. No single motor type has advantages in every application. Direct-drive applications favor so-called hybrid servos while high-speed geared-down applications tend to […]
Servo Motors
How notch filters and low-pass filters reduce resonance in servo systems
Servo systems experience resonance due to compliance or backlash in mechanical components such as gearboxes, screw drives, and couplings. Resonance reduces system performance, can cause audible noise, and in extreme cases can even damage hardware. Servo tuning is the process of setting controller gains to optimize servo performance, but as gains are increased, resonances typically […]
Integrated servomotor and drive from Tolomatic now with PROFINET
The ACSI integrated servo/motor/controller from Tolomatic is now available with PROFINET Industrial Ethernet protocol, allowing engineers to design easy-to-use and cost-effective electric actuator solutions for single-axis applications. The integrated package is suitable for replacing pneumatic cylinders and automating any simple axis of motion with Siemens or other PROFINET enabled PLCs. With built-in configurations for Tolomatic […]
New direct-drive servos from Yaskawa for backlash-free automation
A new direct-drive servomotor from the Drives & Motion Division of Yaskawa America, Inc. packs a new level of performance into a more compact size. The new Yaskawa SGM7F line of direct-drive servomotors delivers from 4 to 35 Nm of torque in a device as small as 2.1-in. high and 5.3-in. in diameter (53 x […]
What are auto-tuning methods for servo drives?
Tuning a servo system is a complex and iterative process. It typically requires tuning multiple control loops, each with its own gains (proportional, integral, and/or derivative) to be adjusted. In addition, tuning a servo drive usually requires adjustments to additional parameters including acceleration and velocity feed-forward gains and filters to reduce oscillations. While manual tuning […]
High-torque EC brushless dc motors from maxon
The EC-i 52-mm motor is one from a family of EC brushless dc motors from maxon. It’s an iron-wound internal rotor motor redesigned from 7 pole pairs to 8 pole pairs. This significantly reduces the vibration and noise output of the dc motor. Available in three voltage outputs, 18, 24 and 48 V, the 52-mm […]
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 […]
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 […]
New NEMA 34 hybrid servo family from QuickSilver
QuickSilver Controls, Inc. has released its new high-power NEMA 34 Integrated Hybrid Servo Family called the SilverMax X34. The Integrated Servo includes both an internal and external clamp, a 20 A RMS, 40 A peak driver operating from 12 V through 72 V. The SilverMax X-series includes expanded command and register space as well as […]
Applied Motion partners with HEIDENHAIN, RENCO on new StepSERVO integrated motors
HEIDENHAIN CORPORATION has partnered with Applied Motion Products, Inc. in the development of their StepSERVO™ integrated motors for high performance motion control applications. Using HEIDENHAIN’s RENCO brand RCML 15 rotary encoder inside, StepSERVO offers the next evolution in step motor technology, combining the high torque capabilities of step motors with the closed loop dynamic control […]