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Brushless slotted flat motor weighs only 15 grams

The 20ECF brushless slotted flat motor is the latest motor to join Portescap's flat motor line. The motor's 19-mm rotor diameter is notably smaller than the 20-mm diameter of competitive solutions. At 15 grams, the 20ECF provides a mass savings of at least 30% when compared to competing motion solutions. The motor's design optimization also helps it achieve a 50% improved motor regulation factor relative to standard available solutions. Applications include surgical and service robotics, lab automation, premium tattoo machines, electric grippers, LiDar, and pumps.
Learn more.

Efficient, reliable and flexible robot gripper optimizes machine tending operations

To continuously deliver high-quality results to its customers, WEFAG AG not only invested in new CNC machines, but also deployed a collaborative application with the 3FG15 gripper from OnRobot to tend the CNC machines. This makes it possible for the Swiss family-owned company to meet extremely short delivery times and smaller batch sizes confidently, while also reducing the workload of employees, who can now focus on more demanding tasks.
Watch how the 3FG15 delivered an ROI in 2 months.
Learn more: How to automate machine tending.

Differences between types of multi-axis positioning stages -- parallel vs. stacked

According to the experts at PI (Physik Instrumente), stacking individual motorized stages is a fine approach for assemblies of just a few axes, but as applications become more complex a 6-axis stage design based on parallel kinematics could be the best option. Learn about stiffness, inconsistent dynamics, size and weight fragility, and even cabling considerations for multi-axis applications. Lots of good info here.
Read this informative PI blog.

Universal Robots' new UR20 Cobot makes its U.S. debut at IMTS 2022

Attendees at North America's leading machine tool show (IMTS) are experiencing how the all-new collaborative, industrial cobot from Universal Robots delivers the longest reach and payload in its class, offering the ability to automate even more hard-to-staff tasks in a market struggling to hire. Also learn about cobot grippers, machine tending, robo welding, and more.
Read the full article.

Miniature voice coil servo motor with 1-micron resolution

The miniature GVCM-016-019-01M Linear Voice Coil Servo Motor from Moticont is smaller in diameter than a dime and features a high force-to-size ratio of 1.5 N (5.3 oz) continuous force and 4.6 N (16.6 oz) of peak force. These brushless mini linear servo motors are clean, quiet, and feature high acceleration/deceleration, high speed, high reliability, and cog-free linear motion. An ideal choice for haptic feedback, pipetting in medical devices, machining and drilling, scanners, laser beam steering, sorting, assembly, and more. Can also be a low-cost replacement for pneumatic linear actuators.
Learn more.

MAHLE claims new EV motor is most durable -- can run indefinitely with high performance

Automotive supplier MAHLE says it has developed "the most durable electric motor available" for electric vehicle (EV) applications. Unique to the market, the traction motor -- with a continuous output of more than 90% of its peak output -- can run indefinitely with high performance thanks to a new cooling concept.
Read the full article.

What are Crossed Roller Bearings?

Learn all about HIWIN Crossed Roller Bearings that are three to four times more rigid than standard bearing solutions and are capable of handling loads in the axial, radial, and moment directions. They consist of an outer ring, an inner ring, and a plurality of rollers and spacers. The roller lies between the inner and outer ring with the spacers placed between the rollers to prevent the mutual friction between them, thereby decreasing the torque resistance for rotation. Many options are available depending on the level of rigidity needed.
Learn more.

Compact electrically controlled hydraulic actuator

Bosch Rexroth has expanded its range of standardized self-contained actuators by adding the CytroMotion system solution. With the help of the new compact actuator, linear movements involving forces up to 110 kN can be achieved in a range of machines and systems in smaller spaces -- more efficiently and more sustainably. These benefits can be seen over the entire life cycle. Thanks to fully electric control, CytroMotion makes engineering and commissioning easier. The efficient, power-on-demand drive and the maintenance-free, hermetically sealed design also minimize operating costs.
Learn more.

Belt-driven actuators for harsh environments

Rollon's newly enhanced Plus System lineup of belt-driven linear actuators can be integrated seamlessly with industrial machines. Combining sturdy construction, protective features (sealed), and high-performance characteristics for load, moment control, speed, and acceleration, the Plus System family features an anodized aluminum structure and steel reinforced driving belt. Three types available: Plus System ELM completely enclosed unit, Plus System ROBOT for multi-axis or SCARA robots, and Plus System SC for vertical motion in gantry applications.
Learn more.

Linear positioning and motion systems at IMTS 2022

SCHNEE-BERGER Linear Technology will spotlight its precision positioning and motion systems at IMTS 2022 in September. On display will be a fully functioning demo of a complete linear motion technology system featuring the company's leading and most innovative linear motion components. When linear tech components are designed to work together to create the most effective solution for machine movement, OEMs can accelerate design and manufacturing, reduce assembly time and labor, and achieve a lower TCO.
Learn more.

Micro-sized FlexPro servo drive

ADVANCED Motion Controls' new 60-A continuous FlexPro servo drive model FM060-60C-RM is the third "machine embedded" version in this power range, adding RS-485/232 communication to the previously released EtherCAT and CANopen versions. This drive can operate at its 60-A peak rating continuously with no need for current foldback -- impressive because the micro-package size means up to four units can fit within the footprint of a business card. Applications include cobots, AMRs, AGVs, portable devices, lab and warehouse automation, military equipment, and more.
Learn more.

NSK's new Active Casters help robots move effortlessly

NSK has developed new Active Caster technology for service robots and mobility drive applications. The compact, electric-powered turning unit provides both drive and steering functions based on the difference in rotation between two motors. The developers say it generates less vibration compared to an omnidirectional mobility unit using Mecanum wheels.
Read this informative NSK article.

Hybrid stepper motor with 8-pin integrated connector

Lin Engineering's NEMA 23 (57-mm) hybrid stepper motor can be ordered with an 8-pin integrated connector that allows for multiple connection options. Standard and customized windings and shaft options are available to match your performance requirements, as well as customizable leads and wire harness. This high-volume-availability motor may be the perfect drop-in replacement for your designs if you are experiencing supply chain issues.
Learn more.

IronHorse jet pump and stainless steel motors

Automation-Direct has added the new, economical IronHorse MTRJ series of jet pump motors to their AC motor lineup. They come in a TEFC enclosure with a 56J frame that has a threaded shaft for direct connection to a jet pump, and are available in 120/230 VAC from 1/3 to 2 hp and in 208-230/460 VAC from 1/3 to 3 hp at 3,600 rpm. AutomationDirect has also added the MTS series of IronHorse motors that offer premium efficiency (EISA compliant) and come with an IP69K-rated stainless steel construction that can survive the harshest of environments. They are available in sizes from 1/3 to 20 hp in 208-230/480 VAC 3-phase and in speeds of 1,200, 1,800, and 3,600 rpm.
Learn more.

Machine learning eliminates cogging for linear motors

The highly dynamic AL8000 linear motors from Beckhoff now meet even greater requirements for accuracy and synchronization with the new TwinCAT Cogging Compensation software, which compensates for cogging forces. Cogging forces in linear motors are caused by the magnetic attraction between the iron core in the primary part and the permanent magnets in the secondary part. AL8000 linear motors are particularly suitable for high-precision applications such as milling machines or laser cutting machines.
Learn more.

Navy researchers look to rotating detonation engines to power the future

With its strong dependence on gas-turbine engines for propulsion, the U.S. Navy is always looking for ways to improve fuel consumption. At the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), scientists are studying the complex physics of Rotating Detonation Engines (RDEs), which offer the potential for high-dollar savings by way of reduced fuel consumption in gas-turbine engines, according to Dr. Kazhikathra Kailasanath, who heads NRL's Laboratories for Computational Physics and Fluid Dynamics.

Many Navy aircraft use gas-turbine engines for propulsion, with the Navy's gas-turbine engines being fundamentally similar to engines used in commercial airplanes. The Navy also depends on gas-turbine engines to provide propulsion and electricity for many of its ships. Even as future ships move toward the model of an "all-electric" propulsion system, they will still need gas-turbine engines to produce electricity for the propulsion system and other critical systems. So building a gas-turbine engine that can handle the Navy's requirements for its warfighting ships and provide greater fuel efficiency is a high priority for researchers.

The U.S. Navy finds gas-turbine engines attractive because they scale nicely to large powers, are relatively small and self-contained, and are relatively easy to maintain. The gas-turbine engines the Navy uses today are based on the Brayton thermodynamic cycle, where air is compressed and mixed with fuel, combusted at a constant pressure, and expanded to do work for either generating electricity or for propulsion. To significantly improve the performance of gas-turbine engines, researchers need to look beyond the Brayton cycle to explore alternative and possibly more innovative cycles.

NRL researchers believe that one attractive possibility is to use the detonation cycle instead of the Brayton cycle for powering a gas turbine. NRL has been on the forefront of this research for the last decade and has been a major player in developing Pulse Detonation Engines (PDEs), which use the detonation cycle rather than the Brayton thermodynamic cycle used in previous gas-turbine engines. Use of the detonation cycle eliminates the need for compressors to generate the high pressures required by the engines.

NRL researchers have constructed a model of a Rotating Detonation Engine.[Photo: U.S. Naval Research Laboratory]

 

 

Controlling detonations, however, is the key to maximizing efficiency. The Rotating Detonation Engine (RDE) is an even more attractive and different strategy for using the detonation cycle to obtain better fuel efficiency. It can do this by allowing the detonation to propagate azimuthally at phenomenal speed around the combustion chamber, thereby holding the inflow kinetic energy to a relatively low value and using most of the compression for better efficiency.

NRL researchers have constructed a model for simulating RDEs, using earlier work done on general detonations as a foundation.

Using models to study the detonation processes and dynamics allows the researchers to understand more fully the flow field, wave structure, the basic thermodynamic cycle, and the key role that pressure change plays in engine performance. These simulations also allow researchers to study performance under a wide array of conditions and how it is affected by engine and sizing parameters.

NRL researchers believe that RDEs have the potential to meet 10% increased power requirements as well as 25% reduction in fuel use for future Navy applications. Currently there are about 430 gas turbine engines on 129 U.S. Navy ships. These engines burn approximately $2 billion worth of fuel each year. By retrofitting these engines with the rotating detonation technology, researchers estimate that the Navy could save approximately $300 to $400 million a year.

NRL researchers estimate that retrofitting engines on existing Navy ships, like the USS Arleigh Burke pictured here, with rotating detonation technology could result in millions of dollars in savings a year. [Photo: U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tommy Lamkin]

 

 

 

 

Like PDEs, RDEs have the potential to be a disruptive technology that can significantly alter the fuel efficiency of ships and planes; however, there are several challenges that must be overcome before the benefits are realized, says Kailasanath. NRL scientists are now focusing their current research efforts on getting a better understanding of how the RDE works and the type of performance that can be actually realized in practice.

You can read more about the specifics of NRL's research on RDEs by clicking here to download the NRL Review article titled, "Rotating Detonation-Wave Engines," by D.A. Schwer and K. Kailasanath, Laboratory for Computational Physics and Fluid Dynamics.

Source: NRL

Published December 2012

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