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Motion Control – ADVANCED Motion Controls Release New Micro-Sized FlexPro® Servo Drive model FM060-60C-CM

July 1st, 2022

Editor/Publisher

Motion Control – Right Angle Gearheads

Vaughan, Ontario, Canada — Motion Control — ADVANCED Motion Controls has released a new 60A continuous FlexPro servo drive model FM060-60C-CM. This model is the second “machine embedded” version in this power range adding CANopen communication to the previously released EtherCAT version.

The 60A continuous current rating means the servo drive can operate at the 60A peak rating continuously with no need for current foldback. This feat is impressive because the new model is in the same package size as our “micro-sized” FlexPro models meaning up to four units can fit within the footprint of a business card.

Motion Control – Moticont Adds 1 Inch Stroke, Direct Drive Linear Actuator to Their Patented SDLM Series of Electric Cylinders!

June 28th, 2022

Editor/Publisher

Motion Control – Electric Cylinders!

Van Nuys, CA — Motion Control – The SDLM Series of Electric Cylinders from Moticont now includes a 1.0 inch (25.4 mm) stroke actuator in their compact 0.750 in. (19.1 mm) diameter series of linear actuators. The new SDLM-019-095-01-01 actuator features a continuous force of 6.8 oz (1.9 N) and a peak force of 21.6 oz (6.0 N). A precision linear optical quadrature encoder is integrated and protected inside the actuator housing.

Motion Control – The Minuteman Series, Teflon® Composite Bearings Are Now Available As A Twin Pillow Block Linear Rail Assembly!

June 25th, 2022

Editor/Publisher

Motion Control – Teflon® Composite Twin Bearing/Pillow Block Rail Assembly!

E. Longmeadow, MA –Motion Control – Save time and energy by ordering one or more Minuteman^TM M-SRBT Twin Pillow Block Linear Rail Assemblies from LM76. Recognized by engineers, machine builders, and retrofitters, the Minuteman^TMSeries of Teflon® composite bearings from LM76 are ideal for applications that involve linear, rotary, and/or oscillating motion. The self lubricating Minuteman Series composite bearings can handle 10 times the load, has a very low coefficient of friction, dampen vibrations, tolerates shock, and are lower in cost than that of conventional linear ball bearings.

These composite bearings can be submerged, washed down with water, high pressure steam, or chemicals, and can operate in harsh, abrasive, and contaminated environments.

Motion Control – Low Cost 1, 2, 3, and 4 ADAGIO Axis Stepper Motor Motion Control Systems Available from Optimal Engineering Systems, Inc. (OES)!

June 21st, 2022

Editor/Publisher

Motion Control – Stepper Motor Motion Control Systems

Van Nuys, CA – — Motion Control – To complement the Optimal Engineering Systems’ (OES) expanding line of single and multi-axis motion control stages, OES has added the ADAGIO-X-STPR Series of Motion Control Systems. The tables, depending on length of travel, measure 120 x 120 mm (4.73 in x 4.73 in.), 150 x 150 mm (5.90 in x 5.90 in.) and 160 x160 mm (6.30 in x 6.30 in.) The AQ150 Series has top and side rail covers. Featuring a 4 mm per turn, precision 2 µ backlash lead screw, typical performance specifications of the AQ140 and AQ150 linear stages include: repeatability of 5 µ, positional accuracy 8 µ, straightness 6 µ, driving parallelism 15 µ, pitching 25 arc seconds, and deflection 25 arc seconds.

Motion Control – Servo Controller for Non-commutated Devices, eg. voice coil motors, from Equipment Solutions!

June 18th, 2022

Editor/Publisher

Motion Control – Servo Controller for Non-commutated Devices!

Motion Control – SCA601 Linear Servo Controller: High Performance analog PID Servo Control law; Digital control of PID tuning parameters; Analog Position Sensor input; High current linear amplifier; RS232 interface; 76 x 76 x 25

Forestville, CA, – — Motion Control – The SCA601 Linear Servo Controller was specifically designed to control single phase, non-comutated devices like voice coil motors. It is a high performance single axis DC motor controller and amplifier system. It is comprised of a highly integrated single PC board level product with a cohesive interface and a compact heat sink.

Innovative Motion Control – Mars helicopter receives Collier Trophy

June 14th, 2022

Editor/Publisher

Innovative Motion Control – Mars Helicopter!

Innovative Motion Control – The Mars helicopter team is awarded the Collier Trophy for being the first aircraft to achieve powered, controlled flight on another planet. NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter flies with electric motors from the Swiss company maxon, a provider of precision drives. This prestigious award was presented on June 9th in Washington DC by the National Aeronautic Association (NAA)

innovative motion control - collier award

The Swiss specialist for quality drives maxon is a developer and manufacturer of brushed and brushless DC motors, as well as gearheads, encoders, controllers, and entire mechatronic systems. maxon drives are used wherever the requirements are particularly high: in NASA’s Mars rovers, in surgical power tools, in humanoid robots, and in precision industrial applications, for example. To maintain its leadership in this demanding market, the company invests extensively in research and development. Worldwide, maxon has 3,059 employees at nine production sites and is represented by sales companies in more than 30 countries.

Taunton, MA — Innovative Motion Control – Application – Sachseln, Switzerland – NASA’s Mars helicopter is the first controlled aircraft in history to be used on a planet other than Earth, laying the way for future airborne exploratory missions to other planets. The pioneer project has been developed by a team of engineers, including from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), AeroVironment and maxon.

Motion Control – Tutorial – Motion & Automation Controllers

June 13th, 2022

Editor/Publisher

Motion Control – Tutorial

Tutorial – Vaughan, Ontario, Canada – A Motion Controller or Automation Controller is the primary intelligence, or brain, within a motion control system. It is responsible for calculating and generating the output commands for a desired motion path or trajectory. Motion controllers vary in complexity; sophisticated motion controllers typically consist of a trajectory generator (path planner), interpolator, and control loop for servo motor control.

An industrial motion control system is one that controls the position, velocity, force or pressure of some machine. As an example, an electromechanical based motion control system consists of:

Motion Control – FDA/USDA and 3A-Dairy Compliance Brochure features Linear Motion Components from LM76!

June 1st, 2022

Editor/Publisher

Motion Control – FDA/USDA/3A-Dairy Compliance Brochure

E. Longmeadow, MA — Motion Control Components – Linear Motion – Food processing and beverage plants’ wash down areas are unique environments that undergo harsh treatment from high pressure washers, steam, and a multitude of caustic chemicals used in the cleaning and sanitizing production equipment.

Motion Control – Miniature Voice Coil Stage has 35 mm Travel and Features 200 Nanometer Position Repeatability!

May 30th, 2022

Editor/Publisher

Motion Control – Miniature Linear Voice Coil Stage

VCS-35 Voice Coil Stage: 35mm of linear motion; Optional clear aperture; Recirculating ball bearing guidance system; 200 nanometer position repeatability; 37 G’s acceleration; Direct SCA814 Servo Controlled Amplifier compatibility; 38 x 41 x 102mm, 320 grams

Forestville, CA – Motion Control – Products – Equipment Solutions, Inc. (ESI) is a provider of engineering and manufacturing services. ESI specializes in the design and production of automation and instrumentation products including motion control components and sub systems.

Motion Control Components – Low Inertia, High Precision, Linear Voice Coil Stages from Moticont!

May 30th, 2022

Editor/Publisher

Motion Control Components – Voice Coil Stages!

Van Nuys, CA – Motion Control Components – Moticont has introduced two high performance linear DC motor driven stages. The VCDS-051-032-01-B1-30 (pictured) and the VCDS-051-032-01-F1-30 linear voice coil stages feature high speed, high acceleration/deceleration, zero backlash, smooth motion, precise positioning of 30 microns, high reliability and low cost. These non-commutated stages are clean room friendly, quiet, and available off-the-shelf.

With a 0.97 in. (24.6 mm) travel length, a continuous force rating of 6.3 lbs (28.2N) and a peak force of 20.0 lbs (89.9 N) at a 10% duty cycle, these compact voice coil stages measuring just 2.000 in. (50.8 mm) wide by 5.000 in. (127.0 mm) long by 2.875 in. (73.0 mm) high, are ideal for applications such as: Positioning, assembly, laser cutting, welding and drilling, clamping, medical diagnostics and testing, and wafer handling.

Motion Control – Dual Axis Yaw-and-Pitch Stages Feature Full Range of Motion of Each Axis Under a Single Fixed Point in Space!

May 28th, 2022

Editor/Publisher

Motion Control – Yaw Pitch Stages

Van Nuys, CA – — Motion Control – A new, series of Dual-axis Yaw-and-Pitch Stages have been introduced by OES (Optimal Engineering Systems, Inc.). This new series of high precision Yaw-and-Pitch stages are ideal for precise measurements of compound curves and angles of an object during inspection or reverse engineering, laser machining and drilling, scanning, tracking, mirror positioning, and for use with coordinate measuring machines and autocollimators.

The YP100-45 Series of Yaw-and-Pitch Stages were developed through the integration of a rotary stage (yaw axis) and a goniometer (pitch axis) having a travel range of +/- 45 degrees.

Motion Control – High Precision 300 MM Motorized Vertical Lift Stage from OES Features: Stability, High Load Capability, and Low Cost!

May 25th, 2022

Editor/Publisher

Motion Control – Vertical Lift Stage

Van Nuys, CA – — Motion Control – A vertical lift of 300 mm (11.811 in.), high stability, and low cost are just some of the features of the AT20-300 Motorized Vertical Lift Stage from Optimal Engineering Systems, Inc. (OES). This high load, 50 kg (110.2 lbs), vertical lift stage can be easily integrated into almost any application. The large 400 mm x 200 mm (15.748 in. x 7.874 in.) stage has a pattern of threaded mounting holes. The rigid box construction of the moving component of the elevator stage travels on six slide rails assuring smooth vertical travel and parallelism of the table and mounting surface at all times, and features: 3.315 µ (non- Micro-Step) resolution, 5 µ repeatability, and 15 µ positional accuracy.

Motion Control – New LDL Programmable Linear Actuator from SMAC

May 23rd, 2022

Editor/Publisher

Motion Control – A Great Place to Work!

Cost-competitive Alternative to Pneumatics, Starting at $300 US/ea

Motion Control – Vaughan, Ontario, Canada – The New LDL Programmable Electric Linear Actuator from SMAC has been designed as a cost-competitive alternative to pneumatics. A common trend in industrial automation is that users are looking for electric alternatives to their pneumatic components for a number of reasons: increased control, improved cycle life, and reduced operating cost.

The LDL series actuator features several innovative cost reduction elements that result in a list price starting at $300 US/ea.

Motion Control – Miniature Voice Coil Servo Motors Feature: High Speed, High Acceleration, and High Force to Size Ratio!

May 21st, 2022

Editor/Publisher

Motion Control – Miniature Voice Coil Servo Motors!

Van Nuys, CA – Motion Control – The GVCM-016-013-01 and GVCM-016-013-01M (Metric Version) Linear Voice Coil Servo Motors have been released by Moticont. These small 0.625 in. (15.9 mm) diameter Servo motors, also called Electric Cylinders, have a stroke length of 0.250 in. (6.4 mm), a high force to size ratio of 5.7 oz (1.6 N) continuous force and 17.9 oz (5.0 N) of peak force. The housings measures just 0.500 in. (12.7 mm) long and in the fully extended position the shaft extends 0.53 in. (13.5 mm) beyond the face of the housing. The ends of the shafts are threaded: 2-56 UNC-2B by 0.16 in. long and M2.2X0.45 by 4.0 mm long for backlash free connections.

These miniature linear servo motors feature high acceleration/deceleration, high speed, high reliability, and zero backlash.

Motion Control – High Precision Motorized Goniometer Stage from OES!

May 18th, 2022

Editor/Publisher

Motion Control – Goniometer Stage

Van Nuys, CA – Motion Control – Optimal Engineering Systems, Inc. (OES) offers a very low-cost solution for the precise measurement of angles or the rotation of an object to a precise angular position.

This 160 mm x 160 mm stage with +/- 15o of rotation at speeds to 10o/sec, features a 400:1 worm gear ratio and a resolution of 0.0005 degrees with a 10 micro-step per step stepper motor driver; the stage is also available with a servo motor and optical encoder.

Motion Control Application – maxon drives are used in the rover and in the first Mars helicopter

May 16th, 2022

Editor/Publisher

Motion Control Application – Maxon Goes to Mars!

The Helicopter is Still Flying …

… 28 Trips and Counting!

Taunton, MA — Motion Control Application – DC motors from maxon have been used in virtually all successful robot missions on Mars. More than 100 of these drives from Switzerland are already on the Red Planet and the number will go up again when the Perseverance rover starts its work. Its mission is to collect soil samples on Mars that will be analyzed on Earth later. The rover also carried the Ingenuity helicopter drone, which will be performing the first flights on the Red Planet. maxon’s precision motors and gearheads are used in numerous mission-critical tasks.

Motion Control – Electromate extends its product portfolio to include Robots from Mecademic!

May 16th, 2022

Editor/Publisher

Motion Control – Electromate adds Robots from Mecademic!

Electromate’s new partnership with Mecademic will expand its reach to end users and manufacturers needing ultra compact and precise industrial robots across Canada.

TORONTO, Ontario — Electromate Inc., a leading Canadian Distributor of Precision Robotic & Mechatronic Solutions, today announced a partnership with Mecademic, a Montreal based premier manufacturer of the world’s smallest, most compact, and precise industrial robots.

Motion Control – Electromate Recognized as: “A Great Place to Work!”

May 15th, 2022

Editor/Publisher

Motion Control – A Great Place to Work!

Motion Control – Vaughan, Ontario, Canada – Company News – Electromate® is proud to announce that we have been recertified as a Great Place to Work® after a thorough and independent analysis conducted by Great Place to Work® Institute Canada. This certification is based on direct feedback from employees, provided as part of an extensive and anonymous survey about their workplace experience.

“Electromate is honored to be recertified as a Great Place to Work®. Creating a ‘Great Place to Work’ has been pivotal in driving employee satisfaction and engagement, which directly results in driving customer satisfaction and revenue”, says Warren Osak Founder and President of Electromate.

Motion Control – Linear Focus Actuator Features, 20 mm Clear Optical Path, <50 nanometer Repeatability, and <3 miliseconds Response Time!

May 13th, 2022

Editor/Publisher

Motion Control – Linear Focus Actuator

Forestville, CA -Motion Control – Products – The LFA-2010 Linear Focus Actuator from Equipment Solutions is a high performance compact motion control positioner, specifically developed for optical applications requiring both high precision and high speed positioning over a short to medium stroke.

The LFA-2010 actuator has a 10 mm range of motion with <50 nanometer positioning repeatability, and a small step response of time of <3 milliseconds. This high force, low noise voice coil motor is typically configured with an analog position feedback sensor and can be optionally equipped with a 1um resolution digital quadrature feedback element.

Motion Control – From soaring heights: Camera stabilization with maxon drives!

May 11th, 2022

Editor/Publisher

Motion Control – Camera stabilization System!

Aerial images can be beneficial for many businesses and industries. Often things are revealed from above that are hidden to the observer on the ground. Drives from maxon are used in camera stabilizer systems.

Taunton, MA — Motion Control Application – Mining companies, for example, survey mines from the air, oil and gas suppliers monitor their drilling rigs, and energy utilities monitor their overland lines. All these applications have one big challenge in common: In these often rough operating environments, the camera needs to be protected against wind, turbulence and the vibration of the carrier aircraft while being kept in a stable position. This is the job of a high-precision stabilization camera gimbal. These gimbals provide users with a stable and level platform that allows them to capture high-quality aerial images.