Motor Controls and Drives Reference Materials
Reference Articles 1 - 100 of 441
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DC Motors/Drives vs AC Motors/Drives
Description: Both AC and DC drives, simply put, control the speed and direction of an electric motor. Both technologies have been around for over 100 years. AC drives, also known as adjustable speed drives or ...
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How Planetary Gear Reducers Revolutionize Robotics
Description: Planetary gear reducers are compact components used for maximizing torque transmission within industrial robotics applications. They are highly effective at decreasing a system's speed and torsional ...
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Understanding Torque Curves: Why They Matter When Selecting a VFD
Description: Understanding torque requirements ensures your VFD is properly matched to the load, delivering reliable performance, energy efficiency, and long equipment life. ...
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Building Reliable Robotic Solutions: Partnering for Success in Micro Motion Control
From: PortescapDescription: Advancements in robotic technology continuously enhance lives by supporting applications in medicine, industrial automation, and other sectors. For example, myoelectric prosthetic limbs improve ...
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How to Match an AC Drive to Different Motor Types
Description: A practical breakdown of what to consider for each motor type. ...
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How HMIs Improve Operator Safety in Industrial Environments
Description: Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs) play a crucial role in protecting operators by providing real-time insight, control, and automation in industrial systems. Beyond convenience, a well-designed HMI ...
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What Is an HMI Architecture? A Beginner's Guide
Description: Why HMI Architecture Matters ...
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Understanding Tags, Data Mapping, and Variables in HMI Design
Description: A well-designed HMI doesn't just look good-it communicates clearly, responds instantly, and reflects what's really happening in the process. At the heart of all of that are tags, data mapping, and ...
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Motor Options for RC Blowers: Single-Phase, Three-Phase, and More
Description: Choosing the right motor for a regenerative (RC) blower is just as important as selecting the blower itself. The motor affects everything from performance and energy efficiency to compatibility with ...
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Closed-Loop vs. Open-Loop Vector Control in VFDs
Description: Vector control (also called field-oriented control) is a powerful motor control method used in variable frequency drives (VFDs) to deliver precise torque and speed regulation. It comes in two main ...
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Simplify Your Motor Control Center Configuration, Monitoring and Maintenance
Description: Your IntelliCENTER® dataset identifies the critical Ethernet/IP-enabled motor control components in your MCC - helping keep your equipment running profitably ...
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Servomotor Help: Demystify Servo Sizing
Description: Understand common mistakes when sizing. Review some common servomotor applications. See how selecting a gearbox assists in sizing selection. ...
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What to Consider When Mounting a Gearbox to a Machine and Why it Matters?
From: DieQua CorporationDescription: When it comes to building machines, every component plays an important role in the performance and function of the machine. Gearboxes are no exception to this rule, and how they are mounted on a ...
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Optimizing AC Drive Systems for Variable Demand
Description: This article explores the strategies and best practices for optimizing AC drive systems to accommodate variable demand effectively. ...
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How to Specify an AC Drive Based on Application
Description: Specifying the right AC drive (also called VFD - Variable Frequency Drive) for your application is critical to achieving reliable performance, energy efficiency, and motor protection. Here's a ...
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Why You Should Use VFD's In Pumping Applications
Description: With a properly selected and configured VFD, customers can enjoy a better user experience while saving money on energy costs. ...
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Precision Force Control via Motor Force Constant Calibration
Description: From "Artificial Feel" to Haptics of Augmented Reality-How Precision Motion is Connecting the Future to the Past through Force Control ...
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Leveraging Voice Coil Actuators in Fast-Steering Mirror Applications
From: Sensata TechnologiesDescription: Fast-steering mirrors (FSMs) have tremendous utility in a variety of sectors, including astronomy, laser communication, and military/defense applications. Motion control is a critical function of ...
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For an AC Drive to Control the Speed of an AC Induction Motor, What Harmonic Correction Method is Perfect for Industrial Facilities?
Description: To address harmonics introduced by AC drives in industrial facilities, the ideal harmonic correction method depends on the specific system requirements, facility load conditions, and compliance needs ...
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What Is Pump Multiplexing & What Does It Have in Common With Moving?
Description: For those who are new to or have some knowledge of pump multiplexing, here is a different way of looking at it. When multiplexing pumps are controlled by variable frequency drives (VFDs), ...
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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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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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AC Motor Controllers: Efficient Control Solutions
Description: Discover types, benefits, and selection tips for AC motor controllers ...
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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What Communications Methods can be Used with an AC Drive?
Description: AC drives can support a variety of communication methods to interface with other devices and control systems, allowing for advanced control, monitoring, and integration into larger systems. Here are ...
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How to design high-power electrical enclosures: seven climate-control factors
Description: Benefits of dynamic air mixing for temperature and humidity control help with the environmental and other key considerations when designing and installing electrical enclosure for high-voltage ...
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How do you Maintain an Immersion Pump?
Description: Maintaining an immersion pump is essential to ensure its longevity, performance, and reliability. Regular maintenance prevents unexpected breakdowns and extends the pump's life. Below is a ...
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What Precautions Need to be Considered when Designing an IGBT Drive Circuit?
Description: Designing an IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) drive circuit involves careful consideration to ensure both the functionality and longevity of the device. Here are several key precautions that ...
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What Maintenance is Needed for an AC Drive?
Description: Maintaining an AC drive is crucial for ensuring long-term performance, reliability, and efficiency. Here are the key maintenance activities typically required for an AC drive: ...
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How do I Control the Speed of the Motor Once the Drive has Been Installed?
Description: To control the speed of a motor using a drive, such as a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) for AC motors or a similar electronic controller for DC motors, you typically follow these steps: ...
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Common Questions When Evaluating Motion Solutions for Cardiovascular Devices
From: PortescapDescription: Engineers need to dig deep, ensuring that their chosen motion components align perfectly with their project's unique goals and needs. ...
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Utilizing System Protection Features in AC Drives
Description: AC (Alternating Current) drives, also known as Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), are essential components in modern industrial automation and control systems. ...
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How Long is the Useful Life of an AC Drive?
Description: The useful life of an AC drive can vary significantly based on several factors including the quality of the drive, its operating conditions, and how well it is maintained. ...
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Everything you Need to Know about Conversions of Pressure Units
Description: Understanding what is a pressure transmitter, the units of pressure and how to convert them is essential for correctly interpreting pressure measurements and assessments. ...
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What Characteristics should we Look At when Searching for a Manual Motor Starter?
Description: When selecting a manual motor starter for an industrial or commercial application, it's important to consider several key characteristics to ensure the starter is well-suited for the specific motor ...
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Look at targeted maintenance for variable frequency drive upkeep
Description: The dream when you buy industrial electronics is that they will work right out of the box, never need any attention and last forever. Unfortunately, sometimes the first one is somewhat true, but the ...
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A Unified Approach to Safety
Description: It's important for everyone to be on the same page on any job. Safety is no exception. What one employee thinks is a safe practice could be, in a safety professional's eye, an accident waiting to ...
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A Unified Approach to Safety
Description: It's important for everyone to be on the same page on any job. Safety is no exception. What one employee thinks is a safe practice could be, in a safety professional's eye, an accident waiting to ...
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How Does an AC Drive Work?
Description: An AC drive is an electronic device used to control the speed and torque of an alternating current (AC) electric motor. AC drives are commonly used in various industrial applications to achieve energy ...
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Programming Intelligent Actuators
From: IntelLiDrives, Inc.Description: System builders look for software that is both easy to use and powerful; a software that can handle both simple tasks quickly while having the "depth" to be used for more complex scenarios. Usually ...
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Power Quality, Harmonics: How to select a variable frequency drive (VFD)
Description: Understand the advantages of 36-pulse input drive topology in medium-voltage (MV) motor applications and how medium-voltage VFD design mitigates harmonics and improves power quality. ...
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BLDC Control with Advanced Motion Controls for Robotic Hand Applications
From: Constar Motion Co., LtdDescription: Brushless DC (BLDC) motors represent a pivotal advancement in the realm of robotic technologies. Their unique structure and operation not only offer high efficiency but also ensure reliability in ...
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How to Choose a VFD for Medium-Voltage Motors
Description: Understand the advantages of multi-level output drive topology in medium voltage (MV) motor applications. Motor insulation reliability and reflected waves: What to consider when selecting a variable ...
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Using a VFD to Troubleshoot Pumping Problems
Description: Yaskawa Applications Engineer breaks down four different case studies to explain how understanding the system is vital for troubleshooting. ...
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Motors and Drives: Three Topics in Energy Efficiency
Description: Industrial energy efficiency is important for machine design as measurements for motor and drive efficiencies show. ...
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What are Manual Motor Starters?
Description: Manual motor starters are devices used to control the operation of electric motors in industrial settings. They serve several key functions: ...
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Integrating HMI-PLC Systems
Description: When working on an application requiring PLC and HMI, you face an array of choices. Traditionally, controllers and interfaces were separate entities, but advancements in processing power and cost ...
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What is the Difference between Single-Phase and Three-Phase Drives?
Description: VFDs are commonly used in industrial and commercial applications where precise control of motor speed is required. Here's how they work and some of their key features: ...
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What is an AC Drive?
Description: VFDs are commonly used in industrial and commercial applications where precise control of motor speed is required. Here's how they work and some of their key features: ...
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What Design Criteria Need to be Accounted For with an AC Drive?
Description: Designing an AC Drive (also known as a variable frequency drive or VFD) involves considering several important criteria to ensure the drive meets the specific application's requirements and operates ...
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AgroWheel Drive: Electric Propulsion for Agricultural Automation
Description: As technologies continue to advance, the agricultural sector is seeing significant improvements in productivity and efficiency. One primary shift in the industry is its adoption of electrification for ...
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How to Choose the Right Brushed DC Motor for Your Application
Description: Brushed DC motors are powerful, versatile tools built for a wide range of vehicles, heavy machinery, industrial equipment, and other applications. Because there are so many options available on the ...
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Innovative Motion Solutions Fuel Latest Robotics Trends
From: PortescapDescription: Robotic innovations are being fueled by developments in automation and Artificial intelligence (AI), which opens up new markets that require the creation of smaller, more intelligent robotic designs. ...
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Servo Loop Tuning - Part 2
From: IntelLiDrives, Inc.Description: To remedy this instability, derivative action is required. Because the D term differentiates the position error which changes fast in case of instability it helps suppress the large changes by ...
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What are the Different Types of Pressure Transmitters?
Description: What are the different types of pressure transmitters? ...
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When to Upgrade from Indicator Lights to an HMI
Description: To perform component-level fault diagnostics on industrial equipment, the use of charts and diagrams is often necessary. While standard push buttons and indicator lights are adequate for basic ...
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What is the Role of HMIs when Monitoring Energy?
Description: Thanks to the use of HMI software, systems controlling wind energy and wind turbines are effectively monitored and maintained. ...
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What's the Difference between a PLC and DCS
Description: It's worth noting that DCS does have a few drawbacks, with a significant one being the scarcity of skillsets in the market. Most floor technicians are familiar with ladder logic programming and can ...
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Are there any Downsides to Using an AC Drive?
Description: AC drives offer numerous advantages in controlling the speed and torque of AC motors, but they also have some downsides or potential limitations. Here are some of the downsides or considerations ...
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Why Should I Care about MTTF?
Description: MTTF, or Mean Time To Failure, is an important reliability metric that you should consider when selecting an AC (Alternating Current) drive for your applications. MTTF is a measure of the expected ...
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Adjustable Frequency Drive - Basic Properties, Terminology, and Theory
Description: WHAT IS AN ADJUSTABLE FREQUENCY DRIVE? ...
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AC Drives - Properties, Terminology, and Theory
Description: WHAT IS AN AC DRIVE? ...
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The 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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Cross-Referencing: 4 Steps to Sizing an AC or DC Drive
Description: Ideally, when a drive needs to be replaced, you simply reorder it by using the manufacturer and model or part number of your existing drive. Looking for a replacement AC drive or DC drive that is not ...
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What is the Most Important Thing to Consider when Selecting a Drive for a Motor?
Description: Current and Voltage ...
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What are the Benefits of Using an AC drive?
Description: AC drives offer several benefits in various industrial and commercial applications. ...
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Boosting Efficiency in Automotive Manufacturing: The Role of Motors, Variable Frequency Drives, and Power Supplies
Description: The automotive manufacturing industry is constantly evolving, driven by the pursuit of greater efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. To meet these demands, manufacturers have turned to ...
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Demand for Micro AC Drives Grow: Control Techniques' Answers with Optimized Commander S
Description: Micro AC drives have emerged as a powerful and versatile motor control solution, transforming how industries manage electric motors. These compact electronic devices offer precise control over motor ...
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More Answers on Software Tools you Need when Working with AC Drives (VFDs)
Description: Software tools for variable frequency drives (VFDs) were the topic of a November 16 Control Engineering webcast. After the presentation, the presenter answered questions from the audience in a live ...
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Power Pulse: 70V Motor Controller and Driver for BLDC Motors Plus Eval Kit
From: QorvoDescription: The PAC5524 from Qorvo is a Power Application Controller© (PAC) product that is optimized for high-pin count and high-speed BLDC motor control. ...
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The Allure of the Front Door Drive Device
Description: The L99DZ200G is ST’s first automotive front door driver to include two H-bridge drivers and four integrated half-bridges for up to 7 A loads, thus enabling it to power all front door ...
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Embracing 2024: Revolutionizing Product Trends in Industrial Electronics & Automation
Description: As 2024 marks a new chapter in industrial electronics and automation, we are witnessing a convergence of groundbreaking trends that are reshaping the landscape for OEMs, MROs, system integrators, and ...
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Simplify Semiconductor Wafer Handling with Modular Products from the Same Family
From: Oriental Motor USADescription: Semiconductor wafers are the foundation of semiconductor chip manufacturing. The growing demand for semiconductors, driven by technological advancements like AI, IoT, and robotics, makes it crucial to ...
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Stepper Motor Drivers: Should You Build or Purchase Them?
From: Oriental Motor USADescription: Drivers provide power and logic to various types of motors and are essential components of any motion control application. This article explains the pros and cons of building a stepper motor driver ...
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An Overview of Encoder Technologies (and Selection Tips)
From: Oriental Motor USADescription: Encoders are typically installed on the motors inside a machine to precisely track their position and speed. Encoder feedback closes the loop and can be used to enhance motion control accuracy and ...
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HVAC: The Real Cost of Downtime
Description: Continuous Process, Discrete Process, and HVAC/Facility ...