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How to Take Vibration out of Stepmotors
Machine Design, October 2008
By Mindy Cheng, Lin Engineering
The best way to handle resonance in stepmotors usually involves moving troublesome areas out of harm’s way.
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Motion Reference Guide: Software Keeps Linear-Stage Integration Straight
Machine Design, November 2008
By Mike Woelfel, Kinetix Integrated Motion and Steve Feketa, Rockwell Automation
Design software has progressed to the point where it can take over many aspects of linear-actuator selection and simulation.
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The power of integrated motion control
Process On-Line, October 2008
Integrated motion control solutions can be implemented into machine designs to reduce the size, cost and complexity of a machine. Industry demand for smaller, less expensive and more flexible machines is only going to increase. Integrated motion control is a solution that is transforming machine design practices.
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Using photoelectric sensors on the production line
Plant Engineering, November 2008
By Greg Knutson, Banner Engineering
Photoelectrics now deliver big performance in smaller packages, thanks to electronic miniaturization. Not only are today’s compact photoelectric sensors simpler to mount and implement in a wider range of applications, they are often available at a lower cost.
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New Technology Changes the RTOS Game
Control Engineering, November 2008
By C.G. Masi
Multicore microcontroller technology and software virtualization make the embedded system and motion-control design engineer’s job more complex. In many ways, however, they make the job easier.
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Industrial Machining Embraces Nano Positioning
Control Engineering, November 2008
By C.G. Masi
Today, advances in automated machining allow tolerances to reach below one micron (1 mm). that’s 0.00004 in! Conventional measurement techniques become physically impossible. Actuators relying on fine-pitch precision ballscrews simply can’t do the job. These are real concerns for growing numbers of engineers, as some applications already require holding positions to a tenth of a nanometer.
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Is there one controller that can do it all?
Intech, November 2008
By Mark Harned and Bob Nelson
A single controller can now do the job of multiple dedicated controllers of the past. With so much expected from a single controller platform, the engineering tools to support all the disciplines involved in a typical automation system become more important then the controller itself.
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VFDs Reduce Wear, Save Energy
Automation World, October 2008
By C. Kenna Amos
They come with many names: variable frequency drives (VFDs), adjustable frequency drives (AFDs), adjustable speed drives (ASDs), speed drives, motor controllers, inverters or alternating current (AC) drives.
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Easier Pieces
Control Design, October 2008
By Jim Montague
Machine builders create modular, interchangeable machine assemblies. Improved software and network connectivity provide the linkage.
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Automation Insights Network
By Rick Zabel, Publisher
Automation Insights Network is a select group of controls and automation professionals who agree to help us cover news, emerging trends and technologies on various automation topics. Every two months, we will ask people in the Network to share their observations, knowledge and expertise with us. We take that information, distill it, and pass it on to our reporters and editors for use in future stories.
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Integrating Next Generation Motion Control with Programmable Automation Controllers
By GE Fanuc
White paper discusses recent trends that have led to the need for PACs, benefits of integrating the latest generation of motion control with PACs, and the critical capabilities OEMs should assess when selecting such an integrated automation control system.
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Large Motor Maintenance: Basics For Machine Reliability
Maintenance Technology, September 2008
By Ron Widup, Shemco
The ability to accurately diagnose, predict and efficiently deal with motor problems is essential to maintenance, engineering and operations personnel.
One of the bigger challenges is being able to recognize, diagnose and remedy an evolving motor problem—to the point that you can prevent an unexpected catastrophic event.
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Reducing maintenance costs with AC drives
MRO, June 2008
Often overlooked is the far-reaching impact on the overall health of automated systems that AC drives can offer. In fact, converting a process from fixed speed to variable speed in itself can reduce wear and tear and reduce maintenance requirements for mechanical systems by reducing start/stop cycles and eliminating vanes, dampers, valves and other mechanical system components.
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Gearbox essentials
Plant Services, September 2008
By Donald L. Borden
Use these guidelines for selecting, commissioning and maintaining gear reducers.
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Stepper motors vie with servos
Plant Services, September 2008
By Sheila Kennedy
New stepper motors are smaller, quieter, easier to set up and network, and more cost-effective overall. They produce higher torque density and less noise, resonance and vibration.
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Getting Up to Smart Speed
Control, September 2008
By David W. Spitzer
One of the reasons VSDs are not more widely applied in the process industries is because typically no one engineer possesses sufficient knowledge to conceive, understand and evaluate the instrumentation, electrical, hydraulic, mechanical, chemical, maintenance, operating cost and other aspects of the installation.
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Premium Motors Provide First-class Savings
Automation World, September 2008
By C. Kenna Amos
NEMA established its Premium-motors program to save end-users money and to improve system reliability and efficiency. The program’s scope includes continuous-rated, NEMA Design A or B, squirrel-cage induction motors that are single-speed, polyphase, one to 500 HP and have two, four or six poles.
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ISA - Change the name to represent the industry
By Rick Zabel, Automation.com
The proposed name change of ISA (to "International Society of Automation") is up for a vote again during ISA Expo in Houston, October 14-16, 2008. Last year, the change was voted down, but I have yet to hear a compelling argument against the change. And there are many reasons for the change. If ISA is truly the global society of automation professionals, then its name should reflect its cause. It's time for a change!
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PROFIBUS hits new highs, PROFINET to follow?
By Bill Lydon, Contributing Editor
This year's PTO General Assembly Meeting again was attended by an enthusiastic group of users, suppliers, and distributors that apply PROFIBUS and PROFINET technology. Michael Bryant, Executive Director, was master of ceremonies and forecasted PROFINET will be the leading Ethernet Technology for automation applications.
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Artificial Intelligence: Not Just Science Fiction
Industrial Automation Asia, September 2008
By Augustine Quek
Artificial intelligence can be defined as ‘the study and design of systems that perceive its environment and takes actions which maximises its chances of success.’ Not surprisingly, automation and manufacturing processes have taken advantage of AI technology to improve productivity as the industry becomes increasingly competitive.
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Predicting motor failure
Plant Services, August 2008
By Sheila Kennedy
While surge protectors, voltage regulators and ride-through systems limit the effect of short-term power disturbances on your equipment, ongoing motor analysis and power-quality monitoring increase the chance of detecting degradation before damage is done.
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Machine safety pays off
Plant Engineering, August 2008
By J.B. Titus, Siemens Energy & Automation
From the most sophisticated manufacturing operation to the simplest relay-based system, machine manufacturers and end users now have economical and effective choices to enhance machine safety. If a manufacturer's downtime costs $10,000 an hour, it does not take long to justify a low-cost, integrated system that saves time and increases uptime.
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Architectures for Economical Motion
Machine Design, August 2008
By Chuck Lewin , Performance Motion Devices
Motion-control costs have more to do with what’s needed to hook up components than with the motor and controller. Too many connectors or the wrong style connector means more failures, higher manufacturing costs, and potential servicing headaches.
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Torque Telemetry Goes Digital
Machine Design, August 2008
By Brian Duffy and Chris Novak, Honeywell Sensing and Control
If you haven’t taken a good look lately at torque-measurement technology, it may surprise you. Digital RF technology leads the way to more accurate noncontact measurement of torque.
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Electronic Controls for Mobile Hydraulics
Machine Design, July 2008
By Andrew J. Smith and Brian Van Batavia, Eaton Hydraulics
As the mobile-equipment industry evolves toward more-sophisticated systems, it is integrating more electronics with traditional hydraulics. The trend of increasing electronic content in mobile applications has been apparent for years, but initial adoption has been somewhat slower than one would expect
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Stainless Bearings Travel on Mission to Mars
IEN, July 2008
The Phoenix Mars Lander that began scooping up samples of Martian soil June 4 depends on Reali-Slim thin-section bearings to position its robotic arm for digging in the permafrost.
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The hunt for 60+% thermal efficiency
Control Engineering, August 2008
By Frank J. Bartos
In this era of high concern for energy consumption, readily available energy-efficient motors top the 96% mark, electric drives reach 95%, and many appliances and consumer devices exhibit rising efficiency. What, then, makes 60% thermal efficiency so special?
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How Encoders Make Automated Motion Safe
Control Engineering, August 2008
By C.G. Masi
An encoder makes it possible for the control system to know where it is and how fast it’s moving. With that knowledge, the system can not only avoid trouble, but act appropriately when circumstances bring trouble to its door.
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Shifting safety responsibilities
Control Engineering, August 2008
By David Greenfield
A new ANSI standard will move certain safety responsibilities from employers to OEMs and machine tool providers. Packaging OEMs are already responding.
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Piezoelectric motors save power and downsize electronic access control
Industrial Embedded Systems, July 2008
By Dan Viggiano III and Lisa Schaertl, New Scale Technologies
Designers looking to save power and size are turning to advanced technologies, and motors are no exception. With piezoelectric technology at the heart, a new type of motor is improving small-scale motion systems in a big way.
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How Much for That Motor?
Design News, July 2008
By Richard Halstead, Empire Magnetics
Most engineers only have experience with mass-produced electric motors and very few have an understanding of the design and tooling required to make custom motors. The initial attempt to obtain a custom motor typically results in sticker shock.
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Motor Condition Monitoring Efficiency does Matter
Process Industry Informer, July/Aug 2008
By Timothy M Thomas, Whitelegg Machines
Monitoring motor performance using modern equipment allows plant and facility
managers to dictate their own down time, improve plant operation and quickly identify poorly performing equipment.
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Specifying Linear Motion Systems
Assembly, August 2008
By Danielle Collins
When sizing and selecting linear motion systems for assembly machines, engineers often overlook critical application requirements. This can lead to costly redesigns and rework. Worse yet, it can result in an overengineered system that is more costly and less effective than desired.
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Rebuild or Buy New?
Control Design, August 2008
By Mark Lamendola
The three principal types of rebuild projects are, from least scope to greatest, an automation upgrade, a recondition/rebuild and repurposing an existing machine. Rebuilding can be an obvious alternative to buying a new machine, particularly if the need to physically replace the old one isn’t clear cut.
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State of Manufacturing & Automation in the U.S. Looks Good
Could it be that high fuel prices, the weak dollar and crises in the U.S. manufacturing industry are creating opportunities? Andy Chatha of ARC Advisory Group thinks so. He says the U.S. industry has suddenly become competitive on the world market, and companies are no longer moving operations overseas. Instead, many are expanding their facilities, and he predicts a boom in automation right here in the U.S.
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Automated System Welds Grills
Assembly, July 2008
Robert H. Peterson Co. in City of Industry, CA, produces gas grills. A CNC-controlled spot welding system automates welding of its stainless steel firebox assemblies. Central to the new system is a Sinumerik 802D controller from Siemens and an IS-120B inverter spot-welding power supply unit from Miyachi Unitek.
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Selecting an automation systems integrator is about more than cost
Advanced Manufacturing, July 2008
By Chris Stergiou
Once upon a time, most plants had in-house machine design departments to develop new equipment. Alas, this is no longer the case as manufacturing doctrine is driven by a strategy of outsourcing non-core competencies. This “back to basics” approach means that in-house efforts are geared to product design and development and this has created a manufacturing process knowledge gap as in-house engineers are focused on production
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Don’t Rip Out Your Old Automation Just Yet
Automation World, July 2008
By James R. Koelsch
Tearing everything out and starting again from scratch is not always an option. Some manufacturers are devising strategies for upgrading their installed automation over time in an orderly way. One example involves PACs.
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Electronic Controls for Mobile Hydraulics
Machine Design, July 2008
By Andrew J. Smith and Brian Van Batavia, Eaton Hydraulics
The mobile-equipment industry is integrating more electronics with traditional hydraulics to address customer demands for higher performance and greater efficiency, but standard hardware and software are critical for efficient and economical systems.
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Without a Trace
Managing Automation, July 2008
By Jeff Moad
OEMs are turning over more responsibility for designing, assembling, and even maintaining subsystems to suppliers in the interest of reducing lead times and sharing program risk and cost. At the same time, OEMs are demanding that suppliers provide more — and more up-to-date — information about things like what specific parts are in a given subsystem, when the parts were produced, by whom, under what conditions, and what quality tests were performed on them.
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A Holistic Approach to Safety Automation
IEN, July 2008
By Dan Hornbeck, Rockwell Automation
Manufacturers are focusing on safety automation solutions that keep their people safe, their machines working, and their bottom lines robust. Thanks to the holistic approach to safety automation – which emphasizes global standards, innovative technologies, trained personnel and ongoing risk assessment, all working together – manufacturers have a best practice template to implement and achieve a high level of safety.
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Correcting motor power factor tips
Process and Control Today, June 2008
By Adrian Larmour, Deritend
There are a number of measures that can be employed to improve power factor: users should minimise the operation of idling or lightly loaded motors; operation of equipment above its rated voltage should be avoided; capacitors should be installed in motor circuits to decrease the magnitude of reactive power; and standard motors should be replaced as they wear out with energy-efficient motors.
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Modeling in motion
Control Engineering, July 2008
By C.G. Masi
The convergence of mechanical, electrical, and software engineering is changing the face of motion control design and development. This tutorial shows how.
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Accessible automation
Process Industry Informer, June 2008
By Nick Brooker, SKF
Implementing an effective automation solution has never been easier thanks to the latest generation of electromechanical linear motion technology.
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What Happened to all Those 'Flexible' Factories?
Assembly, June 2008
By Austin Weber
No matter what definition is used or how it is interpreted, it’s beginning to look like the flexible factory concept may be just a myth.
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Measuring Return on Automation
Automation World, June 2008
By Gary Mintchell
When operations managers and engineers evaluate how to improve manufacturing processes, they often look at implementing new or improved automation systems. They know the operational benefits the system is designed to bring—improved quality, less waste, reduced manpower, increased productivity, faster product changeover and the like. They may not have even thought about the larger financial ramifications to the corporation.
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Getting From Point A to Point B
Automation World, June 2008
By C. Kenna Amos
Generally, the ability to configure and implement motion-control profiles electronically provides a more powerful and flexible solution than previous mechanical solutions.
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Will This Machine Work?
Control Design, June 2008
By Dan Hebert
There are many different ways to test and verify that your machine and its automation system will perform as intended prior to final fabrication, installation and commissioning. Includes examples of PC, PLC and PAC-based controls.
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IEC 61131: Part III—The Benefits
Control Design, June 2008
By Jeremy Pollard
Rockwell, Schneider, Siemens, GE and Wago all have their own programming environments. The business of automation won’t allow for real interoperability of these competing products. The main difference from 20 years ago is that there is some form of commonality. There are some good reasons to use an IEC 61131-based product.
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Know Your Cuts of Cable
Control Design, June 2008
By Phil Burgert
Ask wire and cable manufacturers about the wiring and cable that’s best for use on machines, as well as in plant networks, and you’ll hear multiple combinations of insulation and jacketing materials, foil and braided shielding and corrugated armor. Using the wrong wire or cable could cause machine or safety problems and potential interference
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Green Technology: More-Efficient Motors
Machine Design, June 2008
By Leland Teschler
the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 applies to motors made after Dec. 19, 2010. It boosts mandated efficiency levels for motors covered under the old Act and applies standards to seven motor types formerly excluded. Motor makers say this fills a gap in the original legislation.
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Top tips on squelching electrical noise
Machine Design, June 2008
By Helge Hornis and Thomas Sebastiany, Pepperl+Fuchs
Industrial automation equipment must often perform reliably under some of the harshest conditions imaginable. One of the factors that make industrial conditions harsh is electronic noise pollution. Industrial devices and sensors must operate reliably in a caucophony of electromagnetic emissions both intentional and unintentional.
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Soft starter designs, functions
Control Engineering, June 2008
By Mark T. Hoske
When a variable speed drive isn’t an option, a soft starter can ease the initial impact of the motor starting and soften the blow when it shuts off. Soft starters are especially useful for conveyors, fans, pumps, and any equipment where starting or stopping at full speed applies too much stress or could damage the product being moved by the machine.
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Silence of the Drives
Control Engineering, June 2008
By Frank J. Bartos
Along with energy savings and other benefits, adjustable-speed drives have a downside—a tendency to generate disruptive electrical noise that must be minimized in the drive’s design and installation.
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Don't judge a supplier by its name
By Frank Hurtte, Contributing Author.
For those of us who live and breathe the rarified vapors of technology based automation, it's pretty hard to fathom how life existed without electronic automation. Yet, it has been a short 30 years since the venerable PLC became anything more than a novelty outside of the Big 3 in Detroit. Sometime in the late 1970s, microprocessors changed our lives forever. Since those early days, the power of these tiny chips forever changed the way we think about manufacturing.
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Advancements in modern VFDs
Plant Engineering, May 2008
By Sanjay Kallianpur, Eaton
Understanding the operation of ac variable drives and application issues can help you make better decisions.
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Custom Controls Survey - Complimentary assessment, tips and tricks
We are conducting a brief survey on custom controls — that is, board-level controllers used in place of standard PLCs or process controls. If you use custom controls in your automation applications, please take a minute to tell us why you use them and what challenges you face. You may be eligible to receive a complimentary controls assessment, plus tips and tricks on how to lower your control costs.
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Regional Manufacturing Expos Prove Most Valuable
By Thomas R. Cutler
Deciding which conferences, webinars, and expos are worthwhile for manufacturing engineers and buyers to attend often feels like a dangerous yellow brick road, never knowing quite what to expect.
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Robotic Transporters for Large Weldments
Robotics On-Line, May 2008
By Chris Anderson, Motoman
Robotic transporters are key when you want to automate welding of extremely large, heavy parts. The maximum work envelope radius of an extended-reach robot is about 3-meters (9.84’). If the parts you are welding require more reach than that, you need to find ways to move the robot to the part to provide optimal torch access to the welds.
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How to Apply Direct-Drive Linear Servomotors
Machine Design, May 2008
There’s a growing demand for smaller linear motors. Manufacturers have developed new direct-drive linear servos in response. Among the first steps in selecting a motor is the definition of a speed profile representing various load movements.
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ABB is powered up and running at high efficiency!
By Bill Lydon
The products and services shown at ABB Automation World in Houston, Texas along with the enthusiasm of the ABB employees and users would seem to explain why the company’s 1st quarter 2008 earnings beat investment analysts’ consensus by over 40%. The three-day trade show and conference ran from April 29 through May 1 in Houston, Texas. There was a great deal of energy and enthusiasm at the event which showcased ABB products, ABB services, partner products, and over 300 workshops/training sessions.
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Machine Vision Comes of Age
Control Engineering, May 2008
By C.G. Masi
Vision technology is ready to take its place as a major sensing technology. Control engineers are finding it can be an indispensible tool for gathering system status information that can feed automatically into control systems—especially when there is motion involved.
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Grow Up, Get Down, Get Green
Control, May 2008
By Jim Montague
Increasingly capable drives and motor controls are moving into more diverse, smaller-ticket applications, as well as helping users gain the operating efficiencies to meet green initiatives
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Industrial motors: more torque, more integration
Control Engineering Europe, May 2008
Article looks at direct-drive, permanent-magnet (PM) 'torque motors'--so called 'integrated' motors where the drive is combined with the motor, servo motors large and small, and an extra rugged duty AC motor designed for the harshest environments in process automation.
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Motors Move Toward More Efficiency
Machine Design, April 2008
By Leland Teschler
The next generation of motor-powered appliances and industrial machines will be energy misers thanks to new electronics and speed controls.
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Making The Most Of Motors And Drives
Robotics Online
By Jack Browne
Electric motors and drives improve year after year more as an evolutionary process than by revolutionary developments. Sorting through the choices in electric motors can be challenging, considering the many different types of commercially available standard motor types and hundreds of manufacturers for those motors and related drive electronics.
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Designing for Mechatronics
Design News, April 2008
By Beth Stackpole
Engineers are grappling with how to more effectively design products that have mechanical, electronics and software components. But this not your father’s systems engineering approach.
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Troubleshooting AC Drives
IEN, April 2008
By Ted Stearns, Applied Industrial Technologies
Typically, drive problems can be traced to improper setup or startup. Although specific error codes and the manner of transmitting them may differ for individual drives, all ac drives share common operating principles. Here’s how to interpret diagnostic codes and troubleshoot the problem for safe, reliable operation.
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Industrial motors: more torque, more integration
Control Engineering Europe, April 2008
Article covers direct-drive, permanent-magnet (PM) torque motors, ‘integrated’ motors where the drive is combined with the motor, servo motors large and small, and a rugged duty AC motor designed for the harsh environments in process automation.
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Keeping Clean
Processing, March 2008
The secret to operating motors in wet or damp environments.
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Gear And Reducer Inspection And Analysis
Maintenance Technology, March 2008
By Neville Sachs
When a small reducer fails, in most plants the usual reaction is to replace it without even opening it up to see what happened. But, when a large or critical unit is involved, the inspection and evaluation can be incredibly intimidating.
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Save with the Right Distributed Motion Control
By: Peishan Juan, Advantech
Not all distributed motion control approaches are the same. There’s a need to pay attention to the degree of time-determinism, the amount of integration in control loops, the types of motors that can be managed, the openness of the software interface, and other specifications.
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Special Motor Design
Control Engineering Asia, March 2008
By Thomas Fladerer, Siemens, and Dieter Seifert, Univ of Applied Sciences
Many requirements cannot be met by standard solutions. In such cases, motors need to be specially matched using electrical designs different than standard designs.
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The 10 most-common Mistakes Made When Sizing Pneumatic Rodless Actuators
Machine Design, March 2008
By Cory Danks, TOLOMATIC
Rodless cylinders both support loads and supply guidance, eliminating the need for other load-bearing elements and reducing costs, size, and design time. Here’s what to watch for.
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Know what you don’t know
Intech, March 2008
By Nicholas P. Sands
The demographic shift is the most urgent challenge to maintaining and improving automation and process control competency. Experts, with deep experience in a wide range of skills, are retiring from Dupont. 25% will retire with five years, and over 50% will retire within 10 years. Time to step up the urgency to address the competency challenges.
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Variable amplitude vibrator provides tighter control
Intech, March 2008
Dry material usually feeds into a reactor, blender, or kiln by means of a conveyor belt. One parameter, which may be important depending upon the design philosophy used, is the natural or resonant frequency. The designer’s task is to provide uniformity so the conveyor speed can be relatively stable.
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Man vs. Machine
Assembly, February 2008
by Austin Weber
Lights-out applications are typically found only in portions of manufacturing plants today. Some manufacturers have machines that run by themselves during the night molding plastic parts. Then, in the morning, assemblers put them together. Here’s a look at the status of light-out manufacturing.
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Make Controls Kaboom-Proof
Control Design, March 2008
By Loren Shaum
In most North American quarters, there are two schools of thought: 1. Buy explosion-proof equipment, but risk much higher control costs than might be necessary. 2. Buy more-conventional equipment and purge to keep a hazardous atmosphere away from the control devices.
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Electric actuators explained
Motion System Design, February 2008
What are the most important aspects of electric actuation that system designers need to be aware of? What happens when things go wrong? Experts from Exlar, THK, Bimba and Tolomatic answer these questions.
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Reliable torque
Plant Services, February 2008
Article takes a close look at electric motor failure to examine the stresses on the motor, the most common failure modes and some of the causes of those failure modes. Then, it covers ways to either mitigate the failure or to detect an incipient failure.
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Distributed I/O systems create islands of automation
Plant Engineering, February 2008
By Tim Roberts, Schneider Electric
The latest distributed I/O systems are open, modular systems that make it possible to connect motor starters, variable speed drives, operator interface terminals, encoders and other third-party products across networks and fieldbuses.
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3D Does It
Control Engineering, February 2008
By Renee Robbins
How do control engineers help change production line capabilities quickly? Early adopters of PLM software say it’s about pushing the technological limits with 3D modeling, process simulation, and virtual commissioning.
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Get the Most out of your Machine-Safety Audit
Control Engineering, February 2008
Steve Dukich and Mike Duta, Rockwell Automation
Follow these five steps to make safety audits part of a successful safety program. This is the first part of a two-part series on machine-safety audits.
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Relays: Far from Dead
Control Engineering, February 2008
David C. Thomas, Tyco Electronics
The traditional socket mounted, electromechanical relay, often based on designs that are several decades old, is still a highly effective solution to load-switching problems in industrial and commercial applications.
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On-Machine Controls
Control Engineering, February 2008
By C.G. Masi
Automation vendors have begun to reverse the trend away from on-machine controls by introducing ruggedized industrial electronics packages that make it possible to move controls back onto machines.
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Controllers evolve as information needs grow
Control Engineering, February 2008
By Lee Lane, Rockwell Automation
Controllers have evolved over the years from relay boards that automate a machine to the tag-enabled multidisciplined controllers today. As an information-enabled controller, PACs will continue to evolve along with the information systems executives find useful.
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Linear actuators get a servo look
Machine Design, January 2008
By George Proctor, Copley Controls
The most recent advance in direct-drive linear actuators is called a tubular linear actuator. It evolved from linear-motor technology. The position of the “plunger” (called a thrust rod for a linear actuator) is controlled by the electromagnetic field developed in the coils surrounding it.
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Guidelines for Motion System Design
Machine Design, January 2008
By Jacob Paso and Brad Smith, Delta Computer Systems
If motion-system designers, engineers, and technicians kept these guidelines in mind, projects would run smoother and on schedule, and equipment would work right the first time. Here are seven steps to a successful project.
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Presssing Need for Hydraulic Servos
Machine Design, January 2008
Makers of stamping presses and die casters increasingly use servocontrols to boost throughput while minimizing equipment wear and tear.
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Helping machines see in color
Motion System Design, January 2008
When does it make sense to use color machine vision instead of or in addition to monochrome? And how do cameras “see” color anyway?
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Tried and true: soft starters
Motion System Design, January 2008
By: Elisabeth Eitel
Soft starters serve as an electrical throttle, usually installed between line power and motors, to smooth startups and prevent sudden and costly inrush current. What versions are best where?
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Eliminating non-repeatable errors
Motion System Design, January 2008
Repeatable error is easy to accommodate and correct. But speed changes and servo-system bandwidth issues sometimes cause non-repeatable error in automated systems.
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3D-Based Machine Vision in Automotive Production Lines
Machine Vision On-Line, December 2007
By Nello Zuech,
To gain insight into some current machine vision activity in the automotive industry, we asked a number of companies to We asked for input from those companies specifically engaged in online 3D-based machine vision applications.
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Component-life theory comes down to earth
Machine Design, December 2007
By Chris Blaszczyk, .Misumi USA
A fundamental question engineers face when designing a motion system is determining how long it will last. Consider real-world factors when predicting the life of linear-motion systems.
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How do actuator choices affect productivity in motion-centric automation enviornments?
Motion System Design, December 2007
Pneumatic actuators are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and types, as well as with a multitude of standard options. At first glance, the number of permutations can be overwhelming. The good news is that each actuator type and configuration has a place in today’s automation environment.
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Robots Rally CNC Operations Against Offshore Competition
Robotics On Line, December 2007
By Jack Browne
Robots have traditionally served CNC applications and systems by loading and unloading tools and work materials. While this is still an important part of the robotic CNC relationship, robotic systems are increasingly substituting for larger and costlier fixed-bed CNC platforms for certain applications.
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Robots and Humans Interact Safely
Automation World, December 2007
By C. Kenna Amos
Current trends in robotics will enable better human-robot interaction, making robots easier and safer to use.
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Mechanical Options Match Needs
Control Design, January 2008
By Joe Feeley, editor in chief
Lead screws and ball screws still have an important role to play in linear motion applications.
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Common Mistakes Made When Automating
American Machinist, December 2007
Brief article describes five common mistakes: Choosing the wrong automation, unforeseen failures, unrealistic expectations, not integrating optimally, and training.
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When 2+3 Doesn’t Equal 5
American Machinist, December 2007
By Charles Bates
Many shops realize that five-axis machining is a quick way to machine multiple part sides in one clamping to reduce setup times and shorten lead times. But what they may not know is that full, simultaneous five-axis machining is not always the most accurate way to cut parts.
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High-Speed Video Captures What’s Too Fast to See
Assembly, January 2008
by John Sprovieri
Some systems move so fast that when something goes wrong, the cause of the problem might come and go literally in the blink of an eye. That’s when a high-speed digital video camera becomes invaluable.
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Concrete solution
Intech, November 2007
By Richard Meyerhoefer and Ben Schmidgall
Electromechanics vs. hydraulics vs. pneumatics: Choose the correct power source for your motion task.
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Logic and I/O
Motion System Design, September 2007
Interviews with experts from Opto 22, Wago, Phoenix Contact and Rockwell Automation on control system options and processing machine commands and feedback signals. It’s PC vs PLC vs PAC vs motion controllers.
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A Look at IEC 61499
Control Design, October 2007
By Jeremy Pollard
The IEC 61499 model is independent from application domains and hardware infrastructure. Its encapsulation concepts, the concept of interface-service FB, provides a high level of abstraction, allowing for dealing directly with automation objects without primarily dealing with the implementation details.
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Time to Move
Control Design, October 2007
By Jim Montague
Supporters are pushing a variety of Ethernet-based fieldbuses for motion control, but users just want to build machines. Here’s how to find and implement the most appropriate digital network for your specific application.
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Putting Linear in Motion
Control Design, October 2007
By Mark Lamendola
Linear motors can fill a requirement that rotary motors can’t. The technology Is sound. The application often Is Ideal. Why don’t we see linear motors everywhere?
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Making Workhorses Efficient
Automation World, September 2007
by C. Kenna Amos
With industrial motors having a huge energy hunger, it makes sense for companies to investigate NEMA premium energy-efficiency motors.
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Virtually perfected
Motion System Design, August 2007
By Elisabeth Eit |
