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:
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Ground helical racks for superior precision and durability
Motion Control & Drives
KHK USA has announced its ground helical rack series, engineered for smooth operation, high torque transmission and long-lasting performance in precision motion systems. The racks are designed for demanding environments such as machine tools, high-speed automation equipment and precision positioning systems.
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SpinDrive launches Magma X100 active magnetic bearing controller
Motion Control & Drives
SpinDrive has launched the Magma X100, a new active magnetic bearing controller platform for applications up to 150 kW. The platform brings oil-free, frictionless bearing technology to mobile machinery, semiconductor equipment and other high-speed rotating equipment at a cost comparable to conventional bearing solutions.
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Sealed split spherical roller bearings deliver rapid installation and reduced downtime
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SKF Cooper sealed split spherical roller bearings combine a split design with premium engineering to enable rapid installation and simplified maintenance, reducing mean time to repair by up to 70% and keeping operations running in sectors from mining to food and beverage.
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Inclination sensors for motion control
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Sensors & Transducers Motion Control & Drives
The JBC dynamic inclination sensor from ifm offers accurate angle measurement in the most demanding conditions, filtering out motion disturbances such as vibrations, shocks and vehicle dynamics to deliver reliable inclination values via IO-Link or programmable switch outputs.
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Inside the Giant Magellan Telescope with mechanical engineering at astronomical scale
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Drives cut energy use by up to 30% amid rising costs
Motion Control & Drives
Rockwell Automation’s PowerFlex 755TS variable frequency drives are delivering energy reductions of 10 to 30% in Africa’s industrial operations, with adaptive control and predictive maintenance features that cut downtime by up to 50%.
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Proportionate specification for hazardous locations
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As automation spreads deeper into processing, handling and transport operations, motors are increasingly required to operate in spaces that sit on the edge of hazardous zones.
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Keep your turbines spinning
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No turbine is immune from wear and tear. Unexpected downtime or poor performance can quickly degrade its value and lifespan, but strategically maintained turbines can deliver decades of performance.
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Linear drive architectures deliver versatility without complexity in medical technology
Motion Control & Drives
Linear drive architectures provide a straightforward, configurable way to deliver precise linear motion, making it an increasingly valuable solution in medical motion designs.
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