More movement on the market

April 2024 Motion Control & Drives

If you want to move something, you have to be able to control the movement. When positioning in the nanometre range everything matters and requires high performance motion control. Six years ago, Aerotech therefore set itself the goal of revolutionising the market for precision motion and machine control systems. The Automation1 motion control platform, which was developed in-house and has been available since 2019, now offers far more capability than many users expect from a motion control system.

Nine functions you wouldn’t expect from a motion controller

• Control positioning systems and connected components such as servo and stepper motors, galvo scan heads, piezoelectric actuators and various other devices on one platform.

• Setup Assistant for the homing configuration of gantries.

• Camera module to display feed from a vision system that can be used to monitor the automation and production process in addition to motion control.

• Intuitive configuration wizard for complete machine setup and rapid implementation of projects.

• EasyTune servo tuning for optimising the servo loop like a control engineer would with access to third-party devices.

• HyperWire bus for drive connection, currently the most powerful communication bus in the motion control industry.

• MachineApps HMI development tool for customising user interfaces for drive systems and allowing support for custom module development for ultimate flexibility.

• EtherCAT compatibility for simple and seamless integration of PLC-based systems.

• Python API and Driver for LabVIEW that enable direct access to the motion control platform.

Further reading:

Robotic filling systems for the pharmaceutical industry
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Pharma Integration, a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer, aims to replace traditional mechanical filling lines with compact, fully automated systems that are 100% robot-driven using machines known as Azzurra. Their integrated Faulhaber drives play a crucial role in the fill-finish process, ensuring the highest precision and safety across multiple production steps.

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New generation soft starter ranges
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Schneider Electric has launched its new generation Altivar ATS430 and ATS490 soft starter ranges in Anglophone Africa, the latest innovations in motor control technology.

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Machinery maintenance and the hidden cost of fuel adulteration
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Fuel adulteration is one of the most insidious threats to industrial machinery, safety and environmental compliance. Craig FitzGerald, chief executive officer of ISO-Reliability Partners, discusses how this widespread issue undermines mechanical performance and operational safety, and also poses significant legal and financial risks.

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Sensorless control of brushless
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Many applications would benefit from a brushless motor without a sensor. A method developed by maxon is now setting new standards for precision and reliability.

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Precise information in the cockpit with FAULHABER stepper motors
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For the display of Bugatti’s upcoming luxury model, Tourbillon, something truly special will be presented. Instead of a digital version, the driver will see a genuine Swiss timepiece behind the steering wheel.

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Complete mine hoist systems
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From friction to single and double drum hoists, ABB is a complete supplier of various types of mine hoist systems.

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Innovative braking technology for heavy-duty hoists
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The electro-hydraulic disc brakes in the DX series from RINGSPANN have been re-engineered, and are proving to be a trendsetter in the holding and emergency stop systems in the hoists of heavy-duty and container cranes.

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Largest private wind farm in South Africa
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The Witberg wind farm will prevent the emission of more than 420 000 tons of CO2 per year in 122 000 households in the Western Cape.

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The environmental benefits of correct lubrication storage
Motion Control & Drives
While selecting the right lubricant for an application is key, how that lubricant is stored between applications is an often overlooked but critical aspect of reducing contaminants in machinery across a plant or site.

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Sustainability is transforming fluid power
Editor's Choice Motion Control & Drives
Sustainability is reshaping the future of fluid power. With the growing demand for cleaner, more efficient technologies and tightening global regulations, fluid power systems are being re-engineered for higher efficiency, lower emissions and reduced material usage.

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