PC use, growing steadily for decades, only escalated with advancements like 64-bit architecture and multi-core processors. Yet PCs were slow to influence industrial automation, partly because of static programming languages. Change is coming now, with vendors embracing IEC-61131 and tapping PC processing power. Among the movers and shakers: MathWorks created a PLC coder that generates structured text, allowing designers to more easily control equipment with PLCs and PACs. Beckhoff will showcase new real-time machine control software at Germany's Hannover Fair later this month. PLC Open and OPC completed the first demo of PLC data integration using both 61131 programming and OPC's Unified Architecture.

GlobalSpec is seeking proposals from industry experts interested in participating in its December 8, 2010 or June 8, 2011 Motion Control online conference and trade show events. Open to GlobalSpec's 5 million registered users, this event will examine trends, technologies, and applications in the field of Motion Control. Speaking opportunities provide an opportunity for you and your company to participate in a high-quality, engaging production that will help increase brand awareness and influence key decision-makers. Learn more or submit your proposal today. Deadline for the December 2010 event is May 1, 2010.

REALI-SLIM® thin-section bearings save space and weight without compromising performance. They provide high dynamic capacity in a compact size, with a cross-section that stays constant as the bore increases. Available in many sizes, cross-sections and materials. Download Catalog 300, design software and 3D CAD drawings at www.kaydonbearings.com.

Numatics Express 2Day cylinder shipping program guarantees product shipment in two business days. The program includes both the A Series NFPA Interchangeable Line and the M Series Round Body Air Cylinder Line. The Numatics 2Day Program includes the most comprehensive offering in the industry.

To learn more, visit www.numatics.com/express.

The AEDR-8400 series is the smallest optical encoder employing reflective technology for motion control purposes. The encoder combines an emitter and a detector in a single surface mount leadless package. When used with a codewheel or linear codestrip, the encoder translates rotary or linear motion into digital output. Complimentary sample.

The versatile LIC 4000 incorporates absolute technology to a multi-substrate scale tape linear encoder design. Providing absolute position measurement, this new encoder from Heidenhain is characterized by its high resolution of 1 nanometer and its fast, purely serial EnDat 2.2 interface.

First-time products rarely attain perfection. So it was with this vector-duty hollow-shaft encoder, an industry first a few years ago. Tweaked to improve reliability, it now sports an unbreakable plastic code disc and a 400 g shock rating. A phased-array module, allowing wider gaps between sensor and disc, also reduces disc crashes.

A new digital gyroscope looks like a game changer in motion control for games and mobile phones. The device detects angular rate with three sensing axes housed on a single structure — contrasting competitive units that use two or three separate structures. The design eliminates interference between the axes, improving signal quality.

Every motion system is subject to vibration — unwanted and accuracy-robbing motion. This Motion System Design article reviews several routes for minimizing vibration, from wave springs that pre-load bearings to passive dampers and snubbers. Solutions considered include active controls, such as sensors and motion actuators that apply out-of-phase frequency force to eliminate vibration.

Successful scanning relies on a linear motion system performing well in three criteria: straightness, smoothness, and velocity control. This video clip discusses how one manufacturer engineered wobble-free scanning motion, starting with a single bottom-rail piece machined with two parallel rails instead of struggling to align two separate and opposing rails.

Able to withstand high shock and vibration while maintaining reliability and accuracy, the R-Series SSI linear position sensor is ideal for motion simulation, metal forming, and machine tool applications. The absolute position feedback feature allows for reduced set up time, consistent product output, and greater productivity. Learn more.

The optimized profile design our new EGC linear actuator delivers increased rigidity, efficiency, and dynamic performance with strokes up to 8.5 m.

•  Speeds up to 5 m/s and accelerations up to 50 m/s²
•  Feed forces up to 2500 N and moments up to 1820 Nm

Visit www.festo.com/us/egc for more information.

Aeroflex Airflyte provides complete and integrated motion solutions for space, military, avionics, and strategic industrial customers. Our slip ring assemblies are compatible with modern data communications and are MIL Qualified for shock, vibration, and environment. Custom designed to your specifications.

The rotating electrical slip ring is an electromechanical device that allows the transmission of electrical signals side to side in rotary conditions.

It is composed of a complete slip ring with brushes and armbrushes and its own cover (IP55 or IP65). The rotating slip rings are executed in the base of customer requires.

Common complaints about setting up multi-axis systems include too much commissioning time and too many programming skills required. This electro-hydraulic controller squelches the challenge, starting with a menu geared for non-programmers, and following with a library of 31 motion profiles, including common closed-loop parameters such as position, force/pressure, or velocity.

When systems utilize multiple control cards, you might need assurance that you can synchronize movement on multiple axes. This new 2-axis motion control card — for stepper and pulse-type servo motors — includes linear and circular axis interpolation, to coordinate motion, even with multiple cards at work in one programming environment.

Efficiency gains, even with new actuators, are usually small or incremental. But the design of this linear shaft motor, unlike common U-shaped configuration motors, has the coil wrap the magnets completely. Thus, the unit boosts efficiency by 30%, and boasts more oomph, too, from use of iron-boron-neodynium magnets.

If you find this subject interesting, subscribe to the GlobalSpec e-Newsletter, DirectU2 The world of Motors.

Whether weighing for part completion or proper fill, quality control systems demand high precision and synchronized feeding. Even slight deviations can mean rejected parts and revenue losses. These concerns led Metzler-Toledo to spec a "smart" DC drive, incorporating motion controller and sine-commutation, the latter functioning to keep torque ripple super low.

For more on this subject, subscribe to GlobalSpec's e-Newsletter, DirectU2 The world of Drives.

Techno Linear Motion System's New iMC-V CAN Multi-axis Servo Controller is uniquely designed to allow user flexibility in single to six-axis automation applications.

The iMC-V is also compatible with our Techno gantry tables, linear slides, belt actuators, rotary tables, and more. View the iMC-V and other compatible Linear Motion Product...

Magellan Motion Processors from PMD provide high-performance chip-based motion control for scientific, automation, and industrial applications. Available in 1, 2, 3, and 4-axis versions, these flexible, programmable devices control DC brush, brushless DC, microstepping, and pulse and direction motors. Magellan ICs are complete motion controllers requiring only an external amplifier to be functional.

A Premiere Manufacturer of Precision Washers, Shims, Discs, and Spacers, Brewster announces the launch of its new site. Since its inception in 1919, Wm. H. Brewster Jr., Inc. has consistently turned out the finest available Precision Round Shims, Washers, and Discs for practically every purpose imaginable.

ALAR series direct-drive rotary stages provide superior angular positioning and velocity control with exceptionally large apertures, load capability, and very high speeds. With the combination of a large aperture and direct-drive motor, the ALAR series offers significant performance benefits compared to worm-drive large aperture stages.

More information about Aerotech.

We begin making life-defining choices early, cautiously picking colleges and first jobs. It's human nature, this Mechanical Engineering magazine commentary says, to choose paths where we feel in control and have a shot at job satisfaction. It also intimates that, contrary to forecasts, the time may not be right for jumping away from engineering.

Proteins rock. And when they do, they create the motion needed to transport chromosomes and aid in dividing human cells. Scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab took snapshots of kinesin proteins as they motored along microtubules. This first atomic-scale look at movements within cells could lead to drug and cancer therapies.

The Trade School Disadvantaged?

Trade and tech schools lure students with hopes for better jobs. Do the degrees justify tuition debt and truly offer the edge that workers want?