When learning about servo motors and servo systems, you’re likely to encounter the phrase “closed-loop system.” If you’ve ever wondered what that means and how it works, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s step through some of the most common…
Robotic joint design almost always involves tradeoffs. But does it have to be that way? Let’s look at the three most common compromises.
If you’re looking for precise motion with easy setup, then stepper motors should be your first choice when building or upgrading a machine.
In many applications, both a motion controller and a servo drive are required to complete the system. But what is the difference between a motion controller and a servo drive?
To get the most out of your stepper motor, you need to pair it with the proper drive. There are three critical elements to keep in mind when making your selection: voltage, current and inductance. Each one plays an important part in a motor’s…
Missiles operate in some of the most demanding conditions. They can experience massive heat flux when going through the layers of the earth’s atmosphere and because of the sheer speed that the missile is traveling at. With speeds in excess of 10,000…
For rapidly evolving Aerospace and Defense (A&D) requirements, engineers are facing many challenges to keep up with ever evolving demands. From supply chain issues to changing government regulations, companies are being tasked with not only…
The Low Voltage Directive defines low voltage from 50 – 1000 Vac, or 120 – 1500 Vdc, which is based on the mains voltage used to power the electrical system and ties in with specific IEC regulations on safety and risk of shock and arcing. When low…
Accessible and affordable automation for all has made a giant leap forward with the release of an AMR platform that enables users to install out-of-the box automation technology in less than a day.
All electric motors heat up during operation, which is simply a product of passing current through a coil of wire. Electric motors use copper wire to form coils that are part of the electromagnetic circuit required to produce rotation. While copper…
The performance benefits of direct-drive motors are well documented: industry-leading performance, improved accuracy, higher throughput, better reliability and quieter operations. This is because, unlike a conventional motion setup, a direct-drive…
Compared to mechanical and hydraulic presses, mechanical servo metal stamping presses use high torque brushless motors to create more complicated stampings at faster speeds. But the type of motors used—a traditional geared or chain drive system or a…
We are no longer settling for unsustainable. More than ever before, we are painfully aware that our ability – or inability - to act over the next few years will directly shape the lives of all future generations. And our best bet to step up to the…
Until recently, purchasing drives, motors, and cables from different suppliers was routine. The technology simplified the process of choosing the cables, and any installation technician was capable of choosing cables that met a specific application’s…
A motion controller is a programmable device that manages connected electronic drives and motors to perform specific functions for automating and controlling machinery. Motion controllers can range from very simple microprocessor chips embedded into…
