Motion Control Resource Center

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Controls engineers need a variety of information on topics such as drives, motors, servos and steppers, motion software, motion controllers, hydraulics, pneumatics, electromechanical, linear actuators, power supplies, valves and cylinders.

Electronic drives provide enhanced speed, position, and torque control compared with mechanical options.

Both AC motors and DC motors are applicable for motion control, depending on factors such as available power or specific motion requirements.

Servo motors and stepper motors are most often used for precise rotary positioning applications, driven by controllers or amplifiers.

Linear motion and its control are carried out through the use of electromechanical components such as ballscrews and leadscrews, belt-driven linear slides and guides, pneumatic cylinders, and direct-drive linear motors.

Hydraulics power and control are used for many motion applications with high-power requirements.

Timely news, back-to-basics primers, feature articles, technical white papers and descriptions of the latest products all provide valuable insights that can be used in designing and building machine controls.

Machine Builder Spotlight: ATS Supertrak
ControlDesign.com
Laurence Oldacre, senior director, business development, and Javan Taylor, product manager, products and engineering services, of ATS Automation Tooling Systems take us on a tour of the automation and technology in the Supertrak pallet conveyance system from ATS.

Running time: Approximately 13 minutes.

Old-World Sealing in the New World
ControlDesign.com
Sonderhoff USA Brings the Legacy of Its Parent Company to North America

Gear Up Machine Performance
ControlDesign.com
Flexibility and Constant Innovation Keep Packaging Machine Builder in Touch With Its Customers’ Needs

New PAC Combines Network Needs
ControlDesign.com
Bosch Rexroth Expands Its Line of IndraLogic PLCs and PACs

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White Papers: In Depth Research

Mitigating VFD-Induced Electrical Damage to AC Motor Bearings
Author: William Oh
Posted: 10/02/2008
Due in part to an increased focus on energy savings, the use of pulse-width-modulated variable-frequency drives (VFDs) to control AC motors has grown dramatically in recent years. However, shaft currents induced by VFDs can destroy motor bearings, leading to costly downtime and lost production. Without some form of mitigation, destructive voltages build up until they find a path to the motor frame (ground). All too often, these voltages discharge through the bearings, causing damage that can result in bearing noise, bearing failure, and subsequent motor failure. The challenge facing system designers and engineers is to cost-effectively mitigate this damage.

Present State and a Futuristic Vision of Motor Drive Technology
Author: Yaskawa
Posted: 09/10/2008

One of the main driving force behind the industrial revolution was the invention of the electric motor more than a century ago. Its widespread use for all kinds of mechanical motion has made life simple and has ultimately aided the advancement of human kind.

The advent of the inverter that facilitated speed and torque control of AC motors has propelled the use of electric motor to new realms that was inconceivable just a mere 30years ago. Advances in power semiconductors along with digital controls have enabled realization of motor drives that are robust and can control position and speed to a high degree of precision. Use of AC motor drives has also resulted in energy savings and improved system efficiency.

Yaskawa Electric Corporation has been at the forefront of technology, creating reliable drives that consistently push the envelope of engineering achievement. This paper reviews Yaskawa’s role in the development and application of the inverter technology to AC motor drives and introduces some futuristic vision for the motor drive technology. The development of more efficient, more powerful electric motor drives to power the demands of the future is important for achieving energy savings, environmentally harmonious drives that do not pollute the electrical power system, and improving productivity. Yaskawa wants to be an integral part of this future and hopes to contribute significantly to achieve this.

Introduction to PID Control
Author: Yaskawa
Posted: 09/10/2008
All in all, PIDs play a pivotal role in many aspects of our lives, by making it much easier to regulate and control things. By breaking down the concept behind the P, the I, and the D, and taking a look at what they do and how they work, it gives one a much better understanding, perspective and appreciation of their importance. Each part of PID functions as a tool of regulation, with each having a specific purpose. Sometimes only one is necessary for proper regulation and sometimes only all three will properly provide the functionality necessary for a successful application.

Finding and Eliminating the Weak Link
Author: Yaskawa
Posted: 09/04/2008
Improving Operational Efficiency with Distributed Motion Networks.
This paper describes a machine control topology that can improve the speed of unexpected repairs by automatically configuring replacement servo amplifiers. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and end users can both realize resource optimization benefits from the reduced commissioning times achievable with a digital, distributed motion network.

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