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Read the online version if links don't work in this Motion Control, Motors & Drives Update. |
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February 2009 |
Sponsor: Bison Gear |
Three Phase Electric Motors
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Three phase electric motors are more efficient than single phase motors, but three-phase power isn't available everywhere. Variable Frequency Drives are today's answer. When compared to DC speed controls, they offer more features to increase equipment life.
To maximize efficiency of your gearmotor, avoid inefficient gearing. Right angle worm gear reducers can have efficiencies of 50% or lower, while spur and helical gears used in parallel shaft reducers are more typically in the area of 98%. Therefore, it pays to see if offset parallel shaft designs are available which offer higher efficiency.
Bison Gear & Engineering can help you maximize efficiency of your gearmotor by offering a full range of 3-Phase Verdant Duty™ gearmotors and drives. Please call 1-800-AT-BISON to discuss.
Click here for more information
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| In this Issue |
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| Featured Articles |
Who said dc motor control was on its last legs?
Design Products & Applications, January 2009
By Control Techniques
There is a huge installed base of dc motors around the world - principally in heavy industries such as metals processing - and the long predicted obsolescence of this drive technology is as far off as it ever has been.
Basics of Configuring Drives
Machine Design, January 2009
By Urs Kafader, Maxon Precision Motor
The key to many motion applications is in sizing the drive components lying between the motor and load. Here are the basics.
Motor Condition Monitoring: Efficiency does Matter
Control Engineering Europe, December 2008
By Timothy M. Thomas, Baker Instruments
The concept of Predictive Maintenance has now become accepted practice, worldwide. Locating, defining, and acting on potential problems before they become catastrophic is the main objective of a predictive maintenance programme.
Double the Drive Life at One-Third of the Cost
Maintenance & Engineering, December 2008
By Peter Wright. ABB
Many drive systems go to an early grave after only about 10 years of operation. Reconditioning an existing drive system could enable it to operate reliably for another decade and can be achieved for just 30-40% of the cost of a new drive system.
Bring them back
Plant Services, December 2008
By David Rosenfield, et al
Recent generations of NEMA-rated controls are robust, which makes them perfectly suited for reapplication if they’re no longer needed for their current use. They’re usually good candidates for repair and reuse when reconditioned by qualified technicians following qualified standards.
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| Product Announcements |
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| Other Product Announcements
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| White Papers |
White Paper on Improving Gearmotor Efficiency
"Improving Gearmotor Efficiency" addresses the energy savings to be had with the proper application of the billions of fractional horsepower electric motors and gearmotors in use today. Registration required.
Pilz reveals strategy for safe motion
Control Engineering Europe, December 2008
Armin Glaser and Andreas Hahn, Pilz GmbH
Two papers on safe motion and what it means to the safety of machine control, as presented at the recent SPS/IPC/Drives show in Nürnberg.
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| Resources & Literature |
Gotcha Stick - Safe Distance Scale for Machine Guarding
Is that Hard-Guard Adequately Protecting your Machine Operators? Based on revised anthropometric data, the "Gotcha Stick" from STI is a three-segment safe distance scale used to verify that openings in machine hard-guards will not allow the point-of-operation to be accessed by the operator.
Machine & Process Safety Engineering Guide
Omron STI's 1500+ page Engineering Guide to Machine and Process Safeguarding is now available. This two-volume set is the most comprehensive machine and process safety product and technical reference guide available in the industry today.
AutomationDirect Industrial Automation Product Reference Catalog
Have AutomationDirect's entire product line at your fingertips - it is more than a catalog...it is a Desk Reference containing detailed product descriptions complemented by plenty of technical illustrations, step-by-step procedures for selecting various PLC hardware and software, PC-based control, operatorinterface, motor contactors, drives, sensing equipment, connection systems, and much more.
Siemens Automation and Drives Interactive CD Catalog
The interactive catalog of Siemens Automation and Drives Business (CA01) gives you information on more than 80,000 products and systems used for industrial automation and control.
Danaher publishes guide to bearings, shafting and linear guides
250+ page resource guide includes an appendix to help specify, install, and maintain Ball Bushing bearings, 60 Case Shafting and RoundRail Linear Guides.
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| Application Stories |
Water cooled and stainless
Food Engineering, February 2009
By Kevin T. Higgins
How Stainless Motors in New Mexico built 400hp water-cooled motors fabricated in stainless steel for Beef Products. The motors run at cooler temperatures and generate tens of thousands of dollars worth of hot water. RTDs measure temperature at key points.
Paper plant ups productivity, cuts errors
Control Engineering Europe, January 2009
St. Regis Paper boosted production 17 per cent and cut errors by 63 per cent at a UK mill after implementing a new process control solution from ABB. The 800xA system includes QC and scanning measurement systems and the integration of existing motor control centres, variable speed drives and instrumentation.
Torque, Speed, and Yogurt Cups
Machine Design, January 2009
Two servomotors will drive a single shaft in what’s billed as the world’s largest trim-in-place thermoforming machine. Two 30-kW servomotors drive each 7,500-lb platen. Two more 15-kW servos handle the plug-assist function that aids in forming deep-draw features. Another 5-kW servomotor ejects parts after molding completes.
XY measurement critical in automotive part manufacturing
LXY25 50 nanometer resolution linear motor based XY stage is used to solve a critical automotive part problem at a major Asian automobile manufacturer.
1940s motor still running
Approved Business UK, December 2008
Whirlpool Corporation’s Evansville, Indiana plant, where top-mount refrigerators and large ice-makers are manufactured, found a Baldor motor, installed in the 1940s, still running after 65 years.
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| Featured Training |
Reliability Week
March 23 – 27, 2009, Raleigh, NC
The reliability week combines a carefully selected collection of training workshops with presentations from practitioners in the industry. The reliability training workshops presented by IDCON cover the major business processes needed to achieve equipment reliability in any process or manufacturing plant.
Parker Mechanical Training Class
March 30-April 3, 2009 Irwin, PA
Mechanical training class will cover linear stages, linear systems, industrial actuation, structural framing, gearheads and gearmotors.
Thermal Solutions & Motor Solutions Conferences
May 7-8, 2009 Columbus, Ohio
Educational and networking conferences showcase the knowledge and benefits of using infrared thermography and motor circuit analysis. Gain professional development and industry insight from paper presentations, case studies, product demos & expert forums
AIMCAL expands Converting School courses
Courses focus on real-world problem solving for experienced converting professionals such as engineers, lead operators, foremen, and maintenance personnel.
WAGO announces Industrial Control Seminars
Interactive free three-day seminars provide attendees with information needed to advance automation projects. WAGO provides all course materials, meals and coordinates ground transport.
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| Company & Organizational News |
Hannover Fair covers power transmission and control
The trade fair Motion, Drive & Automation (MDA), part of HANNOVER MESSE, will show how important the issue of efficiency has become for manufacturers and users of power transmission systems.
Siemens Bribery costs $1.6 billion
New York Times, December 2008
Siemens agreed to pay a record total of $1.6 billion to American and European authorities to settle charges that it routinely used bribes and slush funds to secure huge public works contracts around the world. The SEC alleges that Siemens paid bribes on the design and construction of metro transit lines in Venezuela, power plants in Israel, and refineries in Mexico.
Performance Motion Devices names Greg Woods president
Founder Chuck Lewin will continue on as Chairman of the Board and VP of Engineering.
ARC says China AC Drives market to reach $1.9 Billion
The China market for High Power AC Drives was over $1.0 billion in 2007 and is forecast to be nearly $1.9 billion in 2012, according to an ARC Advisory Group study.
Omron adopts EtherCAT for its Motion Bus System
Omron intends to develop EtherCAT-based servo motors and inverters as well as motion controllers by summer 2009.
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| Project News |
Siemens to automate vacuum tank degassing facility for SSAB
Equipment includes an HMI system, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), panels for the control rooms and operation stations for motors and pumps.
ABB to supply drive systems to mine in Canada
Mount Milligan’s new copper-gold mine will be equipped with ABB’s gearless mill drive and dual pinion ball mill drive systems.
Insulfoam Cutter running on PBC linear guide
Running along an Integral V track, the drill rig can move more precisely and excel in the dusty environment while using fewer mounting components.
ABB to automate seamless pipe mill in Brazil
ABB will provide engineering, project management, drives, motors, electrical equipment and automation based on System 800xA to a new seamless steel tube and pipe production plant for VSB.
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Add an event to our calendar. |
| Featured Events |
Automation Technology Expo
March 11-12, 2009 Charlotte, NC
Covers a wide array of products and services, including adhesives/dispensing equipment, assembly systems, custom automation, control software/hardware, end-of-line packaging and more.
ABB Automation & Power World
March 24-26, 2009 Orlando, FL
Event merges ABB Automation World and ABB Power World into one comprehensive users conference and exhibition.
Packaging Automation Forum
March 31, 2009 Chicago, IL
Now in its fourth year, Packaging Automation Forum leverages the knowledge and reach of Packaging World and Automation World within the packaging and automation fields.
Hannover Messe
April 20 - 24 Hannover, Germany
HANNOVER MESSE is the world's leading industrial technology trade fair. Established 60 years ago, the event is internationally renowned for new products, innovative technologies, and knowledge transfer in sectors that range from automation, energy, and microtechnology to compressed air, power transmission, and surface treatment. HANNOVER MESSE also features an extensive range of conferences and special events, including Energy Efficiency, Global Business Forum, World Energy Dialogue, and Hermes Award, the world's most lucrative prize for pioneering technology.
15th Annual Motor Reliability Conference
May 5-7, 2009 St Petersburg, Florida
Technical Conference highlighting the trends and advancements in the predictive maintenance industry. Electricians, technicians, and engineers share their experiences using such tools as the MCEMAX, MCEGold, and other predictive maintenance technologies.
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I hope you enjoyed this Motion Control, Motors & Drives update. If you have any comments or suggestions regarding the content in this e-newsletter or on Automation.com, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Rick Zabel
Vice President, Publisher
Automation.com
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