January 12, 2021 | Volume 17 Issue 02 |
Manufacturing Center
Product Spotlight
Modern Applications News
Metalworking Ideas For
Today's Job Shops
Tooling and Production
Strategies for large
metalworking plants
PI offers an ultra-low-profile Z-Tip-Tilt stage designed for demanding alignment applications in optics, semicon-ductors, precision assembly, and photonics. Based on air bearings and linear motors, the stage is wear-free, maintenance-free, and cleanroom compatible. High speed is ensured by 3-phase linear motors, while high resolution and precision are provided by closed-loop operation with linear encoders with 1-nm resolution. Comes in 5- and 6-axis combinations.
Learn more.
Curtiss-Wright's Actuation Division has expanded its popular Exlar electric actuator product offerings to include hygienic actuators with FDA-approved materials and finishes. Designed for automation systems in the food and beverage, packaging, and pharmaceutical industries, the GTF with inverted roller screw technology helps customers achieve hygienic certifications more economically. Ideal for builders of hygienic machinery to easily incorporate into their designs.
Learn more.
The MELFA RV-12CRL vertically articulated robot has the longest reach of any robot in Mitsubishi Electric's low-cost robot series: 1,504 mm (59.2 in.). With a 12-kg (26.4-lb) payload capacity, this unit is an ideal candidate for machine tending, case packing, and pick-and-place applications. Built-in features provide enhanced safety, streamlined implementation, and an overall reduction in downtime. Features internal cables and air hoses for end-of-arm tooling.
Learn more.
Siemens' new stainless steel SIMOTICS S-1FS2 line of servomotors has been designed for the clean condition requirements of the food, beverage, sterile packaging, pharma, and other process industries. These motors are highly resistant to corrosion and acidic chemicals and are offered in a variety of power ratings, from 0.45 to 2 kW (0.60 to 2.68 hp) with torque from 3.1 to 14 Nm (2.28 to 10.32 ft-lb). Features include high dynamics due to low inherent inertia, high overload capacity for pick-and-place, and precise movement of heavy loads. Easy installation and cleaning. Compatible with the SINAMICS S210 drive system.
Learn more.
Matt Sherman, eMobility Sales and Application Engineer at KEB America, runs through different options to drive an AC motor, including one called "Sensorless Closed Loop" that does not require additional hardware such as encoder, resolver, or cables on the motor.
Read this informative KEB America blog.
The precision and reliability offered by modern rotary encoders are essential in many product categories. These include robotics, machine tools, printing presses, motion control systems, medical equipment, aerospace, gaming and entertainment, and automotive. Learn all about magnetic rotary encoders -- and important developments in the technology's future.
Read the full Avnet article.
Tolomatic has introduced five new products in its RSX line of high-force actuators to meet a wider range of industrial applications. These five sizes expand the RSX's capabilities to include forces up to 66,000 lbf (294 kN). RSX actuators, which feature high-precision planetary roller or ball screws for longer life in harsh environments, enable the easy replacement of traditional hydraulics to eliminate leaks and improve system performance.
Learn more.
Piezoelectric motion components are highly valued for their fast response times, capable of dynamic movements at frequencies reaching several kHz, and delivering motion resolution down to the sub-nanometer level. Learn why amplified piezo actuators have the edge over traditional piezo stack actuators.
Read the full article.
Engineers from Performance Motion Devices take a comprehensive look at how to control two-phase stepper motors, beginning with the basics (operations, strengths and weaknesses) and moving on to traditional and updated advanced techniques for control including closed loop. A very thorough presentation.
Read this informative Performance Motion Devices article.
Automation-Direct has added the new SQ series table lifting systems from Ergoswiss. These lifting systems use electrically driven columns that allow the operator to reposition the height of a worktable, conveyor, etc. to meet specific requirements. In doing so, the operator can perform their tasks in a more comfortable working posture, helping to reduce work-related injuries. These systems are all electric (no hydraulic mess or manual hand cranks), and each lifting column features a housed motor and screw drive to perform the needed height adjustments.
Learn more.
The GVCM-032-025-02M Linear Voice Coil Servo Motor is the first of a new series of non-commutated, brushless linear servo motors from Moticont. This clean and quiet unit has a 12.7-mm stroke with built-in shaft and bearing, a continuous high-force-to-size ratio of 9.3 N (2.1 lb), and 29.3 N (6.6 lb) of peak force at a 10% duty cycle. Features include: high reliability, high speed, zero cogging, high acceleration/deceleration, and, when used in a servo loop, very high accuracy and repeatability. An ideal choice for: haptic feedback, medical devices, laser machining and drilling, work holding and clamping, scanners, optical focusing, testing, sorting, and assembly.
Learn more.
With the help of a motion controller and a stepper driver, all stepper motor linear actuators can be programmed to position a load to a precise location. However, standard configurations do not provide a feedback mechanism that tells the operator whether the move is completed or not. Adding an encoder can be an effective and simple solution to get real-time motion feedback about your application.
Read this informative Thomson article.
Overhead conveyor drives from NORD DRIVE-SYSTEMS are engineered with long-lasting performance and durability in mind. They feature high-quality components, heavy-duty construction, and an output mounting flange and shaft for easy drop-in replacement of industry-standard footprints. They are an ideal solution for meat and poultry processing, automotive assembly, and other manufacturing systems where utilization of vertical space is required. Lots of options and many more features.
Learn more.
maxon, a leader in DC motor and drive solutions, has unveiled its latest innovation: the ESCON 2 controller. This advanced speed and current controller, designed for micro motors, significantly enhances control precision. The ESCON 2, suitable for brushed and brushless DC motors up to 1,800 W continuous duty, is engineered for seamless OEM integration into customer systems. Enhanced control features include field-oriented control (FOC), acceleration, and velocity feed-forward capabilities. Supports 4-quadrant operation. Lots more features. Available from Electromate.
Learn more and get all the specs.
The next evolution of the award-winning Aircore EC motor from Infinitum is a high-efficiency system designed to power commercial and industrial applications such as HVAC fans, pumps, and data centers with less energy consumption, reduced emissions, and reduced waste. It features an integrated variable frequency drive and delivers upward of 93% system efficiency, as well as class-leading power and torque density in a low-footprint package that is 20% lighter than the previous version. Four sizes available.
Learn more.
General Motors will be the first automaker to use an almost completely wireless battery management system, or wBMS, for production electric vehicles. This wireless system, developed with Analog Devices, will be a primary driver of GM's ability to ultimately power many different types of electric vehicles from a common set of battery components.
The wBMS is expected to drive GM's Ultium-powered EVs to market faster, as time won't be needed to develop specific communications systems or redesign complex wiring schemes for each new vehicle. Instead, the wBMS helps to ensure the scalability of Ultium batteries across GM's future lineup, encompassing different brands and vehicle segments, from heavy-duty trucks to performance vehicles.
GM's wireless battery management system is expected to drive the company's Ultium-powered EVs to market faster, because time won't be needed to develop specific communications systems or redesign complex wiring schemes for each new vehicle. [Photo: Jeffrey Sauger for General Motors]
Much like the pack design of GM's Ultium batteries, which is flexible enough to incorporate new chemistry over time as technology changes, the wBMS' basic structure can easily receive new features as software becomes available. With expanded over-the-air updates provided by GM's all-new Vehicle Intelligence Platform, the system could even be upgraded over time with new software-based features via smartphone-like updates.
"Scalability and complexity reduction are a theme with our Ultium batteries -- the wireless battery management system is the critical enabler of this amazing flexibility," said Kent Helfrich, GM executive director of Global Electrification and Battery Systems. "The wireless system represents the epitome of Ultium's configurability and should help GM build profitable EVs at scale."
The wBMS will help GM's electric vehicles balance chemistry within the individual battery cell groups for optimal performance. It can also conduct real-time battery-pack health checks and refocus the network of modules and sensors as needed -- this helps safeguard battery health over the vehicle's lifespan.
By reducing wires within the batteries by up to 90 percent, the wireless system can help extend charging range by creating lighter vehicles overall and opening extra room for more batteries. The space and flexibility created by this reduction in wires not only enables a cleaner design, but also simpler and more streamlined battery restructuring as needed and more robust manufacturing processes.
This wireless system also provides a unique repurposing capability for battery reuse in secondary applications more easily than conventional wired monitoring systems. When the wireless packs are capacity-reduced to the point where they are no longer ideal for optimum vehicle performance, but still functional as consistent power supplies, they can be combined with other wireless battery packs to form clean power generators. This can be done without a redesign or overhaul of the battery management system traditionally required in second-life usage.
GM's wireless battery management system is protected by cybersecurity measures that are foundational to the company's all-new electrical architecture, called the Vehicle Intelligence Platform. The DNA of this system includes protective features within the hardware and software layers, including protection of wireless communications.
The wireless battery monitoring system will be standard on all planned GM vehicles powered by Ultium batteries.
Source: General Motors
Published September 2020