This year’s Motion Control Handbook is the 4^th edition of Design World’s annual motion control compendium. What you’ll find within is the same commitment to the basics of motion control as well as tips for selecting motion control components.

We’ve tweaked a few things this year, including the look of the handbook itself. In addition, we’ve added some new categories including conveyors and motion control software as well as restructuring some categories such as including all of the wide variety of motors (steppers, servos, AC and DC brushed and brushless) under one general motor heading.

With such a wide range and variety of components, motion control is present in so many systems that most people probably don’t even realize it. And due to factors such as shrinking component sizes and lower costs, motion control systems are finding use in an array of new applications.

As a result, in this year’s handbook, we decided to take a look at some of the most interesting and exciting applications where motion control is making a difference, from the small to the extremely large.

While there are a lot of interesting and unique things happening in motion control, one story is perhaps most illustrative of what is happening not only in motion control but in the broader technology world. A key trend is the progressive convergence of many previously disparate industries. Here I’m talking specifically about medicine and biology and robotics and, by extension, motion control with its motors, controllers and other components that make motion happen.

The story about prosthetics illustrates the progression of motion control technology, particularly as it has gotten smaller, more compact and versatile yet more powerful and controllable. This has allowed sophisticated motion control strategies to be applied to a whole range of new applications. So in the case of the bionic leg, there is consideration of the motors used in the application and the need to reduce noise and increase comfort level for the user. Whereas in years past this would have been either a near impossible task or would have been prohibitively expensive, with developments in motor technology this is now an achievable goal.

As things continue to evolve, you can count on us at Design World to continue to bring you the latest news, technology trends and useful information to help you do your job better.

Let us know how we’re doing. Feel free to send us feedback either at mbudimir@wtwhmedia.com or you can follow me on twitter @DW_Motion for the latest news and developments in motion control. And you can check out the digital edition of the handbook here.