To help designers get started with voice coil actuators (VCA) and the sometimes confusing electronics needed for building a system, BEI Kimco Magnetics has introduced the VCA Developer’s Kit. The completely self-contained kit includes a VCA with a built-in feedback sensor and a programmable controller with MotionLab Software that runs on the user’s local PC.
The innovative new tool is designed for users who want to try a VCA for their application, but are unsure where to begin. The virtual how-to kit answers all the questions needed to get a VCA system up and running including where to source components, how to put components together and how to program the parts to perform the motions needed. Designers can quickly develop an actuation system and demonstrate a working design concept without needing to separately specify the necessary electronics for a complete control system
The VCA Developer’s Kit is suitable for many industrial and commercial applications for actuation, position and force control such as medical, laboratory, automation, military, aerospace, and education. Typical application examples include proof-of-concept, full-function prototypes; test bed for actuator system design; stand-alone use for single purpose actuation, or student engineering projects.
Three different kits are available, each with a different VCA paired with the appropriate controller PCBA to drive the VCA being used. The controller can operate in open or closed loop modes, is internally compensated for high linearity, and supports coordinated multi-axis applications. Also included is a flash drive that provides all necessary links to software and set-up instructions as well as a configuration file that can drive the VCA for easy start-up.
The controller’s customized MotionLab software is designed in a simplified programming environment with example programs for flow, motion, oscillation, timers, memory and I/O access. An oscillation motion test is also available for simple built-in self-testing capability.
BEI Kimco Magnetics
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