Motion and Controls Reference Materials
Technical Articles
Reference Articles 2001 - 2100 of 2120
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Elevator Belt Installation Guide (.pdf)
From: 4B Components, Ltd.Description: This guide is intended to assist with the correct installation of BC1 and Supergrip numbers 2, 3, & 4 belt fasteners. ...
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Machine Builders Rely on MISUMI Components to Streamline Automation Machine Design and Engineering
From: MISUMI USADescription: Betz Contracting & Machining designs and builds custom turnkey machines, automated assembly fixtures and quality control fixtures for a number of Tier 1 suppliers in the automotive industry. ...
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Putting Some Predictability into Wind Turbine Maintenance
Description: A wind turbine typically lasts 20 years. But most wind turbine warranties cover only the first two to five years of a wind turbineâ s life. As these systems age, not all facility owners are ...
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Mounting Sprockets and Pulleys on Pilot Style Clutches - Considerations & Guidelines (.pdf)
From: Mach III Clutch, Inc.Description: Clutches are commonly connected to a drive system through roller chains and belting. This requires that a sprocket or pulley be mounted directly to the clutch. A pilot style clutch is made for this ...
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Optimizing DC-Brushless Servomotors (.pdf)
From: Island Components GroupDescription: Although newly designed electric motors typically resemble earlier models, occasionally a requirement falls outside the familiar envelope. ...
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Optimizing Method Applied (.pdf)
From: Island Components GroupDescription: Consider, for example, specifying the lightest possible three-phase dc-brushless motor for use in a miniature aircraft. ...
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Bow Thrusters and Fluid Pumps on LNG Carriers
From: AuCom North America Inc.Description: Soft starters can provide significant benefits in the demanding marine environment, including: more efficient use of the limited electrical supply. integrated bypass contactors reduce the area ...
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Clean Water and Sewerage Pumping in South Africa
From: AuCom North America Inc.Description: Mossel Bay Water Utility in South Africa "They are so simple but they do so much for me!" exclaims Johnny Meerholz as he proudly displays the AuCom IMS2 soft starter he has just installed. Electrical ...
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Kimco Application Guide for Voice Coil Actuators (.pdf)
Description: Voice Coil (VC) Actuators are direct-drive, hysteresis-free devices used for providing highly accurate linear or rotary motion. By virtue of their high acceleration and the absence of commuta- tion, ...
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Shaft Flexible Couplings - Application Considerations (.pdf)
Description: Flexible couplings are designed to accommodate various types of load conditions. No one type of coupling can provide the universal solution to all coupling problems; hence many designs are available, ...
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Elements of Metric Gear Technology - Technical Article
From: QTC METRIC GEARSDescription: Gears are some of the most important elements used in machinery. There are few mechanical devices that do not have the need to transmit power and motion between rotating shafts. Gears not only do this ...
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Application Note: EMX3 Brake Control - Including an External Zero Speed Sensor (.pdf)
From: AuCom North America Inc.Description: The EMX3 has a standard braking feature whose operation consists of two distinct braking cycles. The initial-state braking cycle is used to bring the motor speed down to approximately 60% of the ...
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Application Note: EMX3 Jog Forward Control (.pdf)
From: AuCom North America Inc.Description: The EMX3 has jog forward and jog reverse as a standard feature. During jogging, motor torque is fixed and the jog speed is 11% of the motor full load speed in both directions. ...
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Application Note: EMX3 Motor Overload Protection (.pdf)
From: AuCom North America Inc.Description: EMX3 motor overload protection is provided by a second order thermal model. This highly advanced protection method combines co-dependent thermal modeling of the motor windings and the motor body (the ...
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Application Note: EMX3 Pump Control (.pdf)
From: AuCom North America Inc.Description: The following diagram illustrates how an EMX3 can be used on a typical Submersible Pump installation. ...
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Application Note: EMX3 Sequential Motor Control (.pdf)
From: AuCom North America Inc.Description: The EMX3 can be used for installations requiring sequential starting of identical motors. Master control of the EMX3 and external contactors is achieved using a PLC. ...
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Application Note: EMX3 Slip Motor Control (.pdf)
From: AuCom North America Inc.Description: The principle of a slip-ring motor is that external resistance provides the necessary motor torque during acceleration to full speed. ...
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Kimco Brushless DC Motor Application Guide (.pdf)
Description: A brushless motor is a hybrid permanent magnet DC motor. ...
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Energy Savings Using Intelligent Drive Technology (.pdf)
Description: Energy is steadily becoming a rare and cost-sensitive item that can have a significant influence on the manufacturing cost of a machine. This cost factor can be minimized by using modern drive ...
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Seventh Axis Slide Extends Reach of Robotic Arm
Description: Robots are ideal for repetitive assembly operations, such as drilling, fastening, composite layup, welding, trimming, routing, painting and coating. Unlike gantry systems and other large, heavy fixed ...
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Direct Gear Design for Spur and Helical Involute Gears (.pdf)
From: Kleiss Gears, Inc.Description: Alternative analysis and design method for spur and helical involute gears. ...
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An Innovative Cabling Concept Improves Reliability for Multi-Axis Stage Systems
From: Steinmeyer, Inc.Description: Scienion's leading product is the sciFLEXARRAYER, a state-of-the-art noncontact dispensing system for ultra-low volume liquid handling. Scienion has continuously expanded the sciFLEXARRAYER product ...
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An Innovative Cabling Concept Improves Reliability for Multi-Axis Stage Systems (.pdf)
From: Steinmeyer, Inc.Description: Manufacturers of precision positioning systems are often faced with applications requiring multi-axis stage systems. Usually an object has to move in two, three or more degrees of freedom (DOF) ...
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Electa Gear Resign (.doc)
Description: We have completed the redesign and rating increase of the Electra Gear worm reducer product line. This document will educate you on the product changes and advantages, reasons for the changes and ...
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PC Controlled Tables Lower Positioning System Cost (.pdf)
From: Prior Scientific, Inc.Description: Prior Scientific investigates how PC controlled tables lower positioning system costs. ...
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PCI Motion Control in Microscope Automation (.pdf)
From: Prior Scientific, Inc.Description: Prior Scientific looks further into how PCI Motion Control is used in microscope automation applications. ...
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Replacing Your DC Motors? Think AC
Description: Alternating-current (AC) and direct-current (DC) motors have traditionally served distinctly different applications due to their construction and inherent operating characteristics. In general, AC ...
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Mastering Linear Bushings
From: MISUMI USADescription: Linear motion products are the most commonly used motion elements in the automation of transfer, locating, and assembly machinery. Here, three types of linear guides, Linear Bushing, Slide Guide, and ...
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Anti-Backlash Technology: Axial Take-up Mechanism
Description: The standard method for taking up backlash is to bias two nut halves axially using some type of compliant spring. (Wavy washer, compression spring, rubber washer, etc.) The unit is very stiff in the ...
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Lead Screw Technology Rolls Over Ball Screws (.pdf)
Description: Lead screws were once believed to be a cheap substitute for ball screws, to be used in less demanding applications. They were often assembled using low quality screws from ball screws or fastener ...
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Motor Control Software Examples
From: Silicon LabsDescription: Small motors, less than 300 W, are found in a wide variety of applications. These include automobiles, printers, copiers, paper handlers, factory automation, test equipment, robotics, space & ...
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Sensorless Brushless DC Motor Reference Design
From: Silicon LabsDescription: This reference design provides a hardware and software solution for Sensorless Brushless dc motors. This document includes complete schematics, printed circuit board layout, and firmware. The ...
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Stepper Motor Reference Design
From: Silicon LabsDescription: Stepper motors are used in a wide variety of applications. They are prevalent in consumer office equipment such as printers, plotters, copiers, and scanners. Stepper motors are also used in automotive ...
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Miniature Ball Screws for Life Sciences
From: Steinmeyer, Inc.Description: Medical devices require space saving and highly efficient components. Miniature ball screws as small as 3 mm, with 0.5 mm pitch, offer the perfect precision linear drive mechanism for many medical ...
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Considerations for Step Motors in Space Applications
From: Empire Magnetics Inc.Description: The environmental challenges of space-related applications are immense, and include vacuum (10-8 to 10-12 torr), deep space cryogenic (20 Kelvin), thermal shock (sun at +200°C to shade at -200°C in ...
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Motor Designs To Survive Hostile Environments
From: Empire Magnetics Inc.Description: A new generation of step motors is allowing motion control applications to prosper where they were previously impossible or, at best, very difficult. The reason? Previous step motor designs were ...
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Motor Selection for Deep Sea Applications
From: Empire Magnetics Inc.Description: Like few other hostile environments for industrial components, the deep sea is a forbidding place in which to launch a motion control application. Very cold temperatures, the corrosive effects of sea ...
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Radiation-Hardened Motors
From: Empire Magnetics Inc.Description: Motion control in radiation-intensive environments poses a serious challenge to the design engineer. Conventional step and microstepping motors are susceptible to high-energy gamma radiation particles ...
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Semiconductor Manufacturing Requirements Drive New Automation Technologies
From: Empire Magnetics Inc.Description: In addition to highly repetitive tasks, positioning equipment has long been used to provide very specialized functions and processes. A good example is the semiconductor manufacturing industry. ...
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Specialty Motors for Corrosive Environments
From: Empire Magnetics Inc.Description: In the motion control industry, hostile environments often require specially-designed motors to combat corrosion, and a small company in Rohnert Park, California has built an entire business around ...
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Waterproof Step Motors Make Waves in Industry
From: Empire Magnetics Inc.Description: Because of the preponderance of water and solvents, motion control components are often exposed to the risk of corrosion and failure. Waterproof motors are a key part of the solution to water-induced ...
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Data Logging for Diesel Engine Emissions Control
From: CAS DataLoggersDescription: Recent local, state and federal mandates have required the reduction of harmful emissions, both particulate and NOx, from diesel engines used in off road equipment, generators, buses and construction ...
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Brushless DC Motor Control Made Easy
Description: This application note discusses the steps of developing several controllers for brushless motors. We cover sensored, sensorless, open loop, and closed loop design. There is even a controller with ...
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Low-Cost DC Motor Speed Control with CMOS ICs
Description: Two low-cost CMOS ICs manage a 12 VDC, current-limited speed control circuit for DC brush motors. The circuit design (see Figure 1) uses PWM (pulse width modulation) to chop the effective input ...
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RC Model Aircraft Motor Control
Description: As modern MOSFET transistors are developed with lower ON resistance and smaller packages, Electronic Speed Controls (ESC) follow. By using a microcontroller and a few small MOSFETs, high performance ...
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Speed Control of 3-Phase Induction Motor Using PIC18 Microcontrollers
Description: Induction motors are the most widely used motors for appliances, industrial control, and automation; hence, they are often called the workhorse of the motion industry. They are robust, reliable, and ...
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Stepper Motor Microstepping with PIC18C452
Description: A stepper motor, as its name suggests, moves one step at a time, unlike those conventional motors, which spin continuously. If we command a stepper motor to move some specific number of steps, it ...
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Servo Control of a DC Brush Motor
Description: The PIC17C42 microcontroller is an excellent choice for cost-effective servo control in embedded applications. Due to its Harvard architecture and RISC features, the PIC17C42 offers excellent ...
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AC Induction Motor Fundamentals
Description: AC induction motors are the most common motors used in industrial motion control systems, as well as in main powered home appliances. Simple and rugged design, low-cost, low maintenance and direct ...
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Brushed DC Motor Fundamentals
Description: Brushed DC motors are widely used in applications ranging from toys to push-button adjustable car seats. Brushed DC (BDC) motors are inexpensive, easy to drive, and are readily available in all sizes ...
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Brushless DC (BLDC) Motor Fundamentals
Description: Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) motors are one of the motor types rapidly gaining popularity. BLDC motors are used in industries such as Appliances, Automotive, Aerospace, Consumer, Medical, ...
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Brushless DC Motor Control Using PIC18FXX31 MCUs
Description: A PICDEM™ MC demo board was used to develop, test and debug the motor control code. The PICDEM MC has a single-phase diode bridge rectifier, converting AC input to DC and a power capacitor bank ...
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Determining MOSFET Driver Needs for Motor Drive Applications
Description: Electronic motor control for various types of motors represents one of the main applications for MOSFET drivers today. This application note discusses some of the fundamental concepts needed to obtain ...
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Stepping Motors Fundamentals
Description: Stepping motors fill a unique niche in the motor control world. These motors are commonly used in measurement and control applications. Sample applications include ink jet printers, CNC machines and ...
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Bidirectional VF Control of Single and 3-Phase Induction Motors Using the PIC16F72
Description: Single-phase induction motors are extensively used in appliances and industrial controls. The Permanent Split Capacitor (PSC) single-phase induction motor is the simplest and most widely used motor ...
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Controlling 3-Phase AC Induction Motors Using the PIC18F4431
Description: Before getting into actual control applications, we should understand what distinguishes the PIC18F4431 from other Microchip devices used for motor control. The core is a set of unique peripherals ...
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Implementing a PID Controller Using a PIC18 MCU
Description: Continuous processes have been controlled by feedback loops since the late 1700's. In 1788, James Watt used a flyball governor on his steam engine to regulate its speed. The Taylor Instrument Company ...
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Speed Error in PWM Fan Control Systems
Description: Brushless DC fan (BDC) speed can be varied using pulse-width modulation (PWM). The typical PWM control scheme inserts a power switch in series with the fan, as shown in Figure 1. In such applications, ...
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An Introduction to AC Induction Motor Control Using the dsPIC30F MCU
Description: This application note demonstrates how you use the dsPIC30F MCU to control an AC Induction Motor (ACIM). The discussion is based on the dsPICDEM MC motor Control Development System, but you can use ...
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How to Prevent Equipment Failures (.pdf)
Description: When equipment fails, often the biggest concern is how to get it running again. However, equally important is discovering the cause and how that can be prevented in the future. Often, managers and ...
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Sensored BLDC Motor Control Using dsPIC30F2010
Description: The dsPIC30F2010 is a 28-pin 16-bit MCU specifically designed for embedded motor control applications. AC Induction Motors (ACIM), Brushless DC (BLDC) and DC are some typical motor types for which the ...
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Sensorless BLDC Motor Control Using dsPIC30F2010
Description: This application note describes how to provide Sensorless BLDC motor control with the dsPIC30F2010 Digital Signal Controller. The technique used is based on another Microchip application note: Using ...
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Sinusoidal Control of PMSM Motors with dsPIC30F DSC
Description: This application note describes a method of driving a sensored Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) with sinusoidal currents controlled by a dsPIC30F Digital Signal Controller (DSC). The motor ...
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Using the PIC18F2431 for Sensorless BLDC Motor Control
Description: Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) motors have many advantages over other types of motors available in the industry. Previously, we have discussed the working principles of BLDC motors and the basics of ...
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AN1162 - Sensorless Field Oriented Control (FOC) of an AC Induction Motor (ACIM)
Description: AN1162 Sensorless Field Oriented Control (FOC) of an AC Induction Motor (ACIM) operate at a speed that is roughly proportional to the Author: Mihai Cheles input frequency. As you decrease the ...
- Analog Solutions for Automotive Applications Design Guide
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Sensorless BLDC Control with Back-EMF Filtering
Description: This application note describes a sensorless brushless DC (BLDC) motor control algorithm, implemented using the dsPIC® digital signal controller (DSC). The algorithm works by digitally filtering ...
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Sensorless BLDC Control with Back-EMF Filtering Using a Majority Function
Description: AN1160 Sensorless BLDC Control with Back-EMF Filtering Using a Majority Function SENSORED CONTROL VERSUS Author: Daniel Torres Microchip Technology Inc. SENSORLESS CONTROL The BLDC motor is used for ...
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Sensorless Field Oriented Control of PMSM Motors using dsPIC30F or dsPIC33F Digital Signal Controllers
Description: AN1078 Sensorless Field Oriented Control of PMSM Motors This application note focuses on the PMSM-based sen- Author: Jorge Zambada sorless FOC control of appliances because this control Microchip ...
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Stepper Motor Control Using the PIC16F684
Description: AN906 Stepper Motor Control Using the PIC16F684 MICROSTEPPING Author: Reston Condit Microchip Technology Inc. Single stepping, or turning a stepping motor at its rated step size, results in less than ...
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Using the dsPIC30F & dsPIC33F DSCs for Sensorless BLDC Control
Description: AN901 Using the dsPIC30F for Sensorless BLDC Control Known Limitations Author: Charlie Elliott Smart Power Solutions, LLP As delivered, the maximum output frequency at Co-author: Steve Bowling which ...
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Engineering and Design Notes for Clutches and Brakes
From: Autotronics, Inc.Description: With the increase of design integration of electronic control systems with mechanical systems, new concepts of engineering are being developed to simplify the overall equipment and increase its ...
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Hyperbit: Patented New Technology Increases DAC Resolution and Provides Improved Positioning Resolution.
Description: Increasingly, DAC's are a limiting factor in nanopositioning resolution, especially in the latest millimeter-travel stages. A newly patented technology adds up to 10 bits of resolution to virtually ...
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Piezo-Based, Long-Travel Actuators For Special Environmental Conditions
Description: New developments in the semiconductor industry and in the research areas of materials and life sciences are leading to greater and greater need for nanopositioning devices. Many applications like ...
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Self-Locking Actuator for Hexapod Applications Combines High Push-Pull Force with Picometer Resolution for Active Optical Alignment in Astronomy
Description: Astronomical telescopes usually employ active position control for primary mirror surfaces using motorized mechanical actuators. The motion needed is generally quasistatic, to compensate gravitational ...
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Applications of SmartFan Technology
From: Control Resources, Inc.Description: Benefits of using SmartFan include acoustical noise reduction, environmental (humidity, temperature or pressure) regulation, greater product reliability, increased fan life, improved safety and energy ...
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ADwin-Based System Tests Six Switches in Parallel
From: CAS DataLoggersDescription: Multi-axis motion control systems are used extensively for positioning in manufacturing. These systems often rely on feedback from position sensors to maintain closed-loop control for improved ...
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Achieving Higher Linear Speeds with Soft Helical Racks on CNC Routers
Description: A CNC router manufacturer had been using low-quality spur racks for years on their machines. The racks worked fine and provided decent accuracy, but their customers kept requesting better accuracy and ...
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Dual Servo Reducers Eliminate Axis Backlash on Traveling Gantry
Description: A gantry mill manufacturer wanted to improve the positioning accuracy of their existing rack & pinion drive. The backlash at the rack & pinion caused inaccuracies while cutting material. ...
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Helical Rack Speeds Part Removal on Injection Molding Robot
Description: A pick & place robot manufacturer needed an axis drive solution for the Injection Molding industry to reduce their part removal time, thereby increasing the throughput of the injection molding ...
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Integrated Rack Simplifies Machine Design on Waterjet Machine
Description: A manufacturer of waterjet cutting machines needed a axis drive solution for a new traveling gantry machine. They wanted to reduce the amount of machining needed for a typical rack & pinion drive, ...
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Matched Racks Eliminate Positioning Error on Drilling Machine
Description: A machine builder for the Aerospace industry needed to build a 100 meter long machine with very precise positioning accuracy over the whole travel. They were concerned about any cumulative error that ...
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Split-Pinion Ensures Precise Positioning on Material Feed Axis
Description: A punch press manufacturer needed to precisely position a sheet of metal in order to accurately punch parts. The material feed axis had to have high repeatability and no lost motion. ...
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Design of Plastic Gears
From: QTC METRIC GEARSDescription: Plastic gears are continuing to displace metal gears in a widening arena of applications. Their unique characteristics are also being enhanced with new developments, both in materials and processing. ...
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Gear Noise
From: QTC METRIC GEARSDescription: There are several causes of noise. The noise and vibration in rotating gears, especially at high loads and high speeds, needs to be addressesd. Following are ways to reduce the noise. These points ...
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Lubrication of Gears
From: QTC METRIC GEARSDescription: The purpose of lubricating gears is as follows: 1. Promote sliding between teeth to reduce the coefficient of friction (m). 2. Limit the temperature rise caused by rolling and sliding friction. To ...
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Lin Engineering: Is Your Step Motor and Driver Contributing to the Inaccuracy of Your System?
Description: When it comes to precision in the motion control industry, there are many important factors that contribute to inaccurate steps. As a total system, engineers must become knowledgeable of their step ...
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Lin Engineering: Pole Damping Technology
Description: When it comes to precision in the motion control industry, there are many important factors that contribute to inaccurate steps. As a total system, engineers must become knowledgeable of their step ...
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Best Practices for Selecting and Sizing Guide Wheels for your Linear Motion Needs
Description: For over 30 years, Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation (BWC) has been developing best practices for matching guide wheel linear motion properties to customer requirements, based on engineering and empirical ...
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New Approach for High-Performance Motion Controls
Description: Closed loop control of hydraulic or electric systems offers an excellent means of achieving precision movement with big loads and high forces. However, hydraulic servo drives in particular have a lot ...
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Basics of PCL Series: Pulse Control LSIs
Description: PCL-240 family In this family, each command is allocated a specific bit. Basically, this is a simple family that has only four modes: start mode, control mode, register select mode, and an output mode ...
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AC Drive Motors -- Influence of Drive on Acoustical Noise
From: ABB DrivesDescription: The output voltage waveform of an adjustable frequency drive is not a sine wave but a series of square wave voltage pulses that result in a reasonable approximation of a sine wave current. Although ...
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Safety and Reliability at Work (.pdf)
From: ABB DrivesDescription: The SCK is the new kiln gas exit sampling system from ABB, a market leader in gas analysis for cement applications. It is the proven solution for the rough environmental conditions at the rotary kiln ...
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Control Requirements for High-Precision, High-Speed Machining
Description: It was not too long ago that machine tool builders had to choose between constructing a machine capable of great precision or one capable of great speeds. Increasingly machine tool users are demanding ...
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Controller Requirements for High-Precision Motion Applications
Description: High-precision motion control applications put demands on a motion controller that many other applications do not. Many of the requirements are subtle, and not immediately obvious from data sheets. ...
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Digital Current Loops and Direct PWM Control
Description: Until recently, digital control of a motor's current loop was not feasible - the required bandwidth of the current loop was too high for a cost-effective digital solution. However, with the advent of ...
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MACRO: Distributed Hardware, Centralized Software
Description: It's an increasing dilemma for today's designers of machines employing motion control: as the machines get more complex, the wiring required for traditional highly centralized controllers becomes more ...
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New Connectivity Strategies in Motion Control
Description: Evolving technology in high-speed serial links has dramatically changed the connectivity options available to integrators of motion control systems. Substantial investment in the technologies ...
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Open Connectivity
Description: A white paper on the development of 3U Turbo PMAC2 and the UMAC (Universal Motion and Automation Controller). This paper is written for the purpose of informing all concerned about Delta Tau's point ...
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Why PMAC Controllers Are Easy To Use
Description: Delta Tau's PMAC and Turbo PMAC families of controllers justly have the reputation as being the most powerful and flexible in the world. Many people do not realize that PMAC controllers have many ...