Motion and Controls Reference Materials
Technical Articles
Reference Articles 201 - 300 of 2120
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Animating Halloween Props: How to Make Decorations Move with Micro Linear Actuators
From: Actuonix Motion DevicesDescription: With Halloween approaching, many creators are thinking about ways to make their decorations more interactive. If you've ever wondered how to make a Halloween decoration move, micro linear actuators ...
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Choosing the Right Motor for Food Processors
Description: Discover how AC and DC motors power food processors with performance, torque, and control for every kitchen application. ...
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What are the Three Motor Controller Types: AC Drive, Soft Starter and Contactor?
Description: The three motor controller types—AC drive, soft starter, and contactor—are used to control electric motors but serve different purposes and operate differently. Here’s an overview of ...
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Generating Uniaxial Vibration with an Electrodynamic Shaker and External Air Bearing
Description: Electrodynamic shakers are widely used in experimental investigations of vibrated fluids and granular materials. However, they are plagued by undesirable internal resonances that can significantly ...
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Where 12V DC Motors Power Innovation
Description: Explore how 12V DC motors drive automotive, medical, and robotic systems across industries. ...
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AC Motor Applications Across Industries
Description: Explore how AC motors power industrial, commercial, and home devices ...
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How a California Company Perfected A Photonic Scanner
Description: A Director of Engineering at an industry leading precision stage manufacturer, was presented with a design problem. The linear stage for a client’s blood analyzing instrument was not perfect. It ...
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A VFD User should Know These Induction Motor Calculations
Description: Understand more about alternating current motor specifications and calculations when using the motor with a variable frequency drive. ...
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Benefits of Pancake Motor Design
Description: In today's fast-paced manufacturing landscape, industries are increasingly focused on improving precision, efficiency, and accuracy in their operations. As a result, the demand for advanced motion ...
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How to Find a Trusted Motor Supplier Fast
Description: A 3-minute checklist to avoid low-quality blender motor vendors ...
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Head-to-Head: 1 HP BLDC Motor vs 1 HP AC Induction Motor
From: Oriental Motor USADescription: For machine designers who typically specify 3-phase AC induction motors and VFDs to meet variable speed requirements, brushless DC (BLDC) motors can be a cheat code to designing smaller, lighter, and ...
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7 Engineering Challenges That Make Precision Gantry Systems Hard to Get Right
Description: While multi-axis gantry systems are foundational to high-throughput automation - think semiconductor inspection, laser processing, and advanced metrology - the challenges behind making them precise, ...
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Top 5 Blender Motor Specs Beyond Price
Description: Why performance, durability, and safety matter more than cost ...
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AC Motor Controllers: Efficient Control Solutions
Description: Discover types, benefits, and selection tips for AC motor controllers ...
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10 Key Questions & Answers for Precision Motion & Positioning System Users
Description: What You Need to Know before Selecting a Motion System ...
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Magnetic vs. Pneumatic Counterbalance Solutions for Direct-Drive Vertical Translation Stages
Description: A well-designed counterbalancing system offsets the weight of the moving stage and its payload, enabling smoother, more efficient motion across a wide range of applications. ...
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Case Study: Photonics Chip Level Test Strategies for Production Environments
Description: Design Considerations for Maximizing Alignment System Performance Under Real-World Disturbances: Vibration, Thermomechanical Drift, and Structural Integrity ...
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Beyond the Purchase: How to Get the Most From Your VFD
Description: Controlling motor speed with variable frequency drives (VFDs) can save energy. But it's not as easy as just adding a VFD. What else needs to be considered for motor control system efficiency and what ...
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How to Choose the Right DC Motor Controller
Description: Understand functions, types, and selection tips for reliable motor control across applications. ...
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Planetary vs. Spur Gear Motors: Which Fits Your Application?
Description: Compare torque, noise, and cost to choose the right motor for your design. ...
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Innovative High-Bandwidth Hexapod Concept for Nanopositioning Applications
Description: This article outlines the system design and evaluates its precision and dynamic capabilities for industrial-scale use. ...
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Electric Motors Powering Renewable & Sustainable Tech
Description: Explore how electric motors drive wind, solar, hydro, and clean transportation innovations. ...
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What Is an Electric Motor Controller? The Brain Behind Modern Motion Control
Description: Discover how motor controllers manage speed, torque, direction-and why they're essential in everything from electric vehicles to industrial automation. ...
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Low-Latency and Real-Time Response in Smart Linear Actuators
From: Iris Dynamics Ltd.Description: Latency measures the delay present between two events in a system [1]. Real-time responses are an aspect of real-time systems, which occur following an event or input to the system within a defined ...
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How To Operate your ORCA™ Motor in Haptic Mode
From: Iris Dynamics Ltd.Description: ORCA™ Series Smart Linear Motors have five modes of operation: Sleep Mode, Force Mode, Position Mode, Haptic Mode, and Kinematic Mode. Today we will show you how to get started with Haptic Mode, ...
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Understanding the Basics of Stewart Platforms and Their Applications
From: Actuonix Motion DevicesDescription: Stewart platforms rarely appear outside engineering circles, yet they quietly power everything from flight simulators to precision test rigs. Thanks to their six-legged, parallel-actuated design, ...
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The Engineer's Guide to AC Gearmotor Nameplate Ratings
From: Bodine Electric CompanyDescription: Stop guessing on AC gearmotor ratings. Relying on current readings alone can lead to unexpected failures. This whitepaper dives into interpreting nameplate specs correctly, helping you avoid common ...
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The Engineer's Guide to Selecting the Best Gearmotor
From: Bodine Electric CompanyDescription: By carefully evaluating application requirements and translating them into gearmotor specifications, engineers can select the best gearmotor for their machine design. ...
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What Is a Brushless Gear Motor? High-Efficiency Power & Precision in Compact Design
Description: Discover How Brushless Gear Motors Deliver Longer Lifespan, Precise Control, and Wide Applications from Robotics to Medical Devices ...
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Technical Note: Achieving High-Speed Serial Communication
From: Iris Dynamics Ltd.Description: ORCA motors implement serial communications through a subset of Modbus RTU specifications. High-speed communication is beneficial for generating a smooth motion profile, and for providing ...
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Replacing Pneumatic Actuators with Integrated Electric Linear Motors
From: Iris Dynamics Ltd.Description: Pneumatic actuators have long been favoured for their simplicity and responsiveness in industrial automation. However, recent advancements in electric linear actuator technology, such as the ...
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Considerations for Outdoor Applications of Micro Linear Actuators
From: Actuonix Motion DevicesDescription: Micro linear actuators are increasingly finding their way into outdoor applications??"from unmanned submarine control systems to agricultural automation, mobile robotics and prosthetics that go ...
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Motor Precision is Crucial for Aircraft Electronic Expansion Valves
From: PortescapDescription: Stepper motors play an integral role in ensuring the comfort of airplane passengers. ...
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Selecting Precision Motors for Commercial Aerospace Applications
From: PortescapDescription: Commercial aerospace is rapidly diversifying, with the traditional fleet of airliners and business jets set to be joined by electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) taxis and the next generation ...
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From Cockpit to Control Surface: The Motors Behind Modern Autopilot Systems
From: PortescapDescription: Advancing Flight Control with Brushless DC Motors ...
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Magnetic vs. Pneumatic Counterbalance Solutions for Nanopositioning Z-Stages with Linear Motors
Description: This tech note explores the different counterbalancing mechanisms implemented by PI, highlighting their respective advantages and limitations. ...
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Dexterous Hand Motor Module: High-Precision Drive Solution
From: Constar Motion Co., LtdDescription: Dexterous hand motor type and Core Specifications ...
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Variable Frequency Drives in the Modern Factory
Description: Even though variable frequency drives (VFDs) have been on the market for nearly 60 years, they continue to prove themselves as robust, efficient answers to numerous applications that exist in ...
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Is There a Typical Payback or ROI Range for AC Drives when Used on HVAC Equipment, such as Chillers, Pumps or Fans?
Description: ROI Considerations and Factors that Extend Payback Periods ...
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Why Automation
Description: Understanding the common motivations behind automation and how to maximize its benefits ...
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How to Select the Right Linear Actuator in 6 Steps
From: Iris Dynamics Ltd.Description: Are you a machine builder evaluating different types of linear actuators for your project? When it comes to automating motion, linear actuators are essential in a wide range of industries, from ...
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Five Uses for The Parvalux Modular Range
From: parvalux by maxonDescription: One of the most innovative ranges of high-quality electric motors and gearboxes offered by Parvalux is the modular range. This modular range provides an unparalleled level of flexibility and ...
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How to Select and Size Gearmotors for Conveyor Applications
From: Bodine Electric CompanyDescription: This application note provides step-by-step instructions for how to size and select a gearmotor in a belt-driven conveyor application. Before sizing a gearmotor, you must first know the application ...
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Gearmotor Selection and Application Guide
From: Bodine Electric CompanyDescription: This guide reviews the construction, operating variables, and different types of fractional horsepower gearmotors. Some of the topics covered are: gearmotor mounting orientation, impact of lubricant ...
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Track Actuator vs Linear Slide: Making the Right Choice
From: Actuonix Motion DevicesDescription: Choosing between a slide rail/actuator combo and a track actuator depends heavily on your specific design needs. Both offer linear motion in compact form factors, but the right choice comes down to ...
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Optimize Performance Minimum Size in High Speed Applications
From: PortescapDescription: Optimization of a Brushless DC motor for high speed applications ...
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Tattoo Machines: Enhancing the Art of Self-expression Through Precision Motors
From: PortescapDescription: New Development in Tattoo Machines ...
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Drivers for Ironless Rotor DC Motors
From: PortescapDescription: Ironless rotor DC motors present characteristics highly desirable for speed and position servos. Due to the absence of iron there is no cogging, and the rotor has no preferred positions, phenomena ...
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Why Electromagnetic Brake Type Motors are Necessary for the Medical Industry
From: Oriental Motor USADescription: Motors with built-in electromagnetic brakes enhance safety by preventing unexpected movement during power failures, which is crucial for medical applications where precision, safety, and reliability ...
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Case Study: How a Compact Electric Gripper Can Help with Articulated Robots
From: Oriental Motor USADescription: An end effector, such as an electric gripper, is an essential part of industrial robots. More importantly, using the right gripper for the load being transferred prevents damage while improving ...
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Gearhead Selection for Brushless Motors
From: Oriental Motor USADescription: Gearheads play a crucial role in motor performance optimization. Each type of gear offers its own features and characteristics, and the gear ratio alters a motor's output torque and speed. By ...
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Gearhead Selection for Stepper Motors
From: Oriental Motor USADescription: Selecting a gearhead for a stepper motor is like picking out the right shoes for the occasion. Sure, you can wear Air Jordans on a football field, but they're not better than a pair of regular cleats. ...
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VFD vs BLDC: Which Technology is Better for Speed Control?
From: Oriental Motor USADescription: While AC induction motors and VFDs are often the go-to choice for speed control applications, several other alternatives are available, from servo motors to AC motors with tachometers. However, ...
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Stepper Motor Linear Actuator Attachment: Easily Convert Stepper Motors to Linear Actuators
From: Oriental Motor USADescription: The popularity of micro linear actuators has been steadily increasing, driven by the need to increase productivity in confined spaces. To help meet the demand of the miniaturization trend, Oriental ...
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AZX Series: Servo Motors with Mechanical Absolute Encoders
From: Oriental Motor USADescription: This article introduces the key innovations of the powerful AZX Series, which is a uniquely different servo motor and driver system designed to be easier to use and more cost-effective than ...
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OVR Series: An Extended Family of Small Industrial Robots
From: Oriental Motor USADescription: Learn how Oriental Motor's compact and easy-to-use small industrial robots, robot controllers, and software can help simplify robotic automation. ...
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Explainer: How to Synchronize Speeds Between Multiple Motors with One Potentiometer
From: Oriental Motor USADescription: For speed synchronization applications like a dual belt labeling conveyor, multiple motors must run at the same speed. What is the best type of motor to use and what are the methods to achieve this? ...
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Advancing Conveyor Design and Performance with Brushless DC Motors
From: Oriental Motor USADescription: AC induction motors are the workhorses that power many types of conveyors to transport materials. However, there's a smaller but mightier type of motor that can help enhance the design and performance ...
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Explainer: How to Perform Wireless Motion Control with an Ethernet Type Driver
From: Oriental Motor USADescription: In the factories of the future, wireless motion control will offer unprecedented flexibility for mobile machines and space-constrained applications. This comprehensive guide walks engineers through ...
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How a Network-Compatible Multi-Axis Driver Can Simplify Design and Reduce Costs for Automated Chip Inspection
From: Oriental Motor USADescription: A network-compatible multi-axis driver can save space and reduce costs by combining multiple stepper motor drive circuits in a single product and minimizing the number of wires necessary to control ...
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CVD Series Stepper Motor Drivers Explained
From: Oriental Motor USADescription: CVD Series stepper drivers are the best choice for PKP Series high-torque stepper motors due to their unique abilities to reduce different types of motor vibrations and optimize performance. ...
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AGVs and AMRs: Optimizing Workflow and Driving Innovation
Description: Autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) have rapidly become indispensable to modern manufacturing and logistics. By navigating factory floors and warehouses with little ...
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Driving Multiple Piezo Motors on a Single Workstation
From: Newport MKSDescription: The CONEX-AGAP application is designed to control a single piezo motor positioner. For customer configurations using several positioners, it is necessary to launch several instances of the applet in ...
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Performance, Resolution, and Velocity Control of Stepper Motor-Driven Precision Positioners
Description: Stepper Motor Basics ...
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Static Wrist Strap Importance
Description: Yaskawa's Bob Bonczar, explains how an electrostatic discharge can be detrimental to electronics. ...
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Static Wrist Strap Importance
Description: Yaskawa's Bob Bonczar, explains how an electrostatic discharge can be detrimental to electronics. ...
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Specialized Motor Drivers in Industrial Automation
Description: Driving the future of industrial automation and robotics requires precision and efficiency! Our latest article dives into specialized motor drivers for brushed DC, BLDC, and stepper motors ...
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The Important Role of Precision Drive Solutions in Surgical Robotics
Description: In the ever-evolving field of healthcare, surgical robotics has emerged as a transformative force, especially in minimally invasive surgeries (MIS). The key to their success lies in their ability to ...
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A Mechanical Engineers Guide to Drive Systems in Automation
Description: In today's age of smart manufacturing, industrial automation is transforming how we design and operate machinery. Mechanical engineers are increasingly expected to work alongside automation ...
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Open vs. Closed Loop Picomotor Control
From: Newport MKSDescription: Open loop refers to a control technique that does not measure and act upon the output of the system. Most piezoelectric systems and inexpensive micrometer replacement actuators are open-loop devices. ...
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Case Study: Reducing Emissions and Improving Efficiency
From: ElectroCraftDescription: In order to more efficiently utilize energy and reduce emissions in the oil & gas extraction process, our customer required an electric motor and drive solution for a glycol circulation pump that ...
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Why this Wheel Drive is Getting So Much Attention from Design Engineers
From: ElectroCraftDescription: As automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) become more commonplace in warehouses and factories, design engineers are working on next generation platforms that can move ...
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Debunking Common Myths and Misconceptions about Micro Motors in Cardiovascular Devices
From: PortescapDescription: Factors to Consider in Motor Technology Selection ...
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Meeting the Demanding Requirements Outdoor AMRs with Custom Motion Solutions
From: PortescapDescription: Applications of Outdoor AMRs: From Surveillance to Agriculture ...
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Factors Affecting the Thermal Performance of Flat Brushless DC Motors
From: PortescapDescription: Here we explore the key factors that influence the thermal performance of flat BLDC motors, providing insights into how design, operating conditions, environmental factors, and manufacturing processes ...
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Innovative Motion Technologies for Next-Gen Electronic Pipettes
From: PortescapDescription: The motion solution drives the aspiration and dispensing of the sample or reagent, with several technologies available for consideration. Let's explore the options and their advantages: ...
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Large Bone Procedures Require High Torque Motors
From: PortescapDescription: Large Bone Orthopedic Surgical Tools ...
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Designing Reusable Powered Surgical Tools for the Modern Sanitization Process
From: PortescapDescription: Challenges for Miniature Motors and Electronics ...
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How Micro Linear Actuators are Used in Home Automation
From: Actuonix Motion DevicesDescription: Smart home technology is evolving fast - and so are the creative ways people are integrating automation into their living spaces. One of the lesser-known tools driving these innovations is the micro ...
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Micro Linear Actuators and Microfluidics
From: Actuonix Motion DevicesDescription: Microfluidics, the science of manipulating small fluid volumes within micro-scale channels, has become integral to modern medical and laboratory applications. Precise control of minute fluid movements ...
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Mounting Items to the Shaft of your Linear Motor
From: Iris Dynamics Ltd.Description: ORCA motors’ fully integrated design greatly simplifies installation and setup, unlike other actuators that typically require additional components to get moving. Essentially, with ORCA Motors, ...
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Photonics Alignment Automation: How to Improve Performance and Throughput
Description: The world’s appetite for data continues to grow at a steady pace, with new applications emerging every week. Even during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, data consump tion grew by ...
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Besides Energy Savings, Why Should an AC Drive be the Preferred Controller of Choice in an MDS?
Description: An AC drive (also known as a variable frequency drive, or VFD) offers several compelling advantages in motor-driven systems (MDS) beyond energy savings. Here are some key reasons why an AC drive ...
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How does Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) Vary Voltage and Frequency?
Description: Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) is a technique used to vary voltage and frequency in motor control systems, such as those employing AC drives. It achieves this by rapidly switching the power supplied to ...
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Harmonic Mitigation in Variable Frequency Drives: 6-Pulse Drive with Matrix AP Harmonic Filter vs. AFE Drive
From: MTE CorporationDescription: The proliferation of variable frequency drives (VFDs) has brought increased attention to harmonic effects created by drives. A standard 6-pulse drive without any harmonic mitigation technology may ...
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Universal Drives Compatible with Countless Motion Control Applications
From: ElectroCraftDescription: Small frame, fractional horsepower motors are used in several applications that require precise speed, torque and positioning, such as medical and lab equipment, mobile robotics, semiconductor ...
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Aftermarket Considerations for Pumping Systems
Description: In today’s dynamic industrial landscape, a robust aftermarket strategy for pumping systems is critical to maximize business success. To achieve this success, strategies must maximize user ...
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Measuring Force with an ORCA™ Series Smart Linear Motor
From: Iris Dynamics Ltd.Description: Load cells are the most commonly used type of force sensor. There are many types of load cells, however, all of them work on the same basic premise of converting mechanical force into electrical ...
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When to Replace ORCA™ Motor Bushings
From: Iris Dynamics Ltd.Description: The maintenance cycle of the ORCA Series motors may be of great importance to a select few applications, particularly those in factory settings with considerable side load. The exact service life of ...
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Understanding Micro Linear Actuator Accuracy
From: Actuonix Motion DevicesDescription: Micro linear actuators are widely used in applications requiring precise motion control, from robotics to industrial automation. In this article, we’re going to talk about how precise micro ...
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Hexapod Error Compensation Features
From: Newport MKSDescription: Newport Hexapods are 6-axis parallel kinematic positioners engineered for exceptional stiffness and load capacity in compact designs with precision moves on the sub-micron scale. With 6 Degrees of ...
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Motion Control Theory Terminology
From: Newport MKSDescription: Common motion systems use three types of control methods. They are position control, velocity control and torque control. The majority of Newport’s motion systems use position control. This type ...
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Micro Linear Actuators In Prosthetics
From: Actuonix Motion DevicesDescription: As a manufacturer of electric micro linear actuators, one of the industries that we're most excited to be directly involved with is the production of prosthetics. In recent years, we have had the ...
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Strain Wave Gears in Multi-Axis Robot Design
From: KOFON Motion GroupDescription: Analyze strain wave gear integration in robot joints, focusing on backlash control, stiffness, load handling, and bearing design for high-precision multi-axis motion systems. ...
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Understanding Adjustable Speed Drive Common Mode Problems and Effective Filter Solutions
From: MTE CorporationDescription: his paper presents data showing how three filters: a typical dV/dt filter, a dV/dt filter utilizing a triple defense core, and a common mode choke, perform in providing both common mode and ...
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Understanding Permanent Magnet Motor Operation and Optimized Filter Solutions
From: MTE CorporationDescription: The basic operational differences betweenan induction motor and a permanent magnet motor have been disclosed. The unique filter requirements of the PM motor have been explained. As PM motors gain ...
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Harmonic Filter Topologies for Low DC Bus Capacitance of 6-Pulse Rectifier Front End Adjustable Speed Drives
From: MTE CorporationDescription: Passive harmonic filter topologies that mitigate harmonic problems in three-phase power system due to low DC bus capacitance of 6-pulse rectifier front end adjustable speed drives are proposed ...
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XY Motion System with Active Vibration Control
From: HIWIN CorporationDescription: This paper describes an innovative air-bearing XY motion system with active vibration control for applications where even slight vibrations are intolerable. ...
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Factors in Multi-Axis Stage Manufacturing
From: HIWIN CorporationDescription: HIWIN's engineering team addresses the importance of partnering with suppliers that have the quality components and expertise in the various aspects of single- and multi-axis stage development. ...
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How To Automate A Chicken Coop Door Using Micro Linear Actuators
From: Actuonix Motion DevicesDescription: If you own chickens, you know that opening and closing the coop door every morning and evening can be a hassle. Whether you’re dealing with bad weather, predators, schedule issues, or just want ...