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DURApulse GS30 AC Drives from AutomationDirect

Automation-Direct has added new high-performance DURApulse GS30 drives that support several control modes including sensorless vector control, closed-loop flux vector control, and torque control in a compact package. The GS30 series expands the DURApulse family by adding internal tension control loop expanded parameter sets for greater versatility, as well as optional EtherCAT and single- or dual-port EtherNet/IP communication cards. GS30 drives support up to four independent induction motor parameter sets or control of a single AC permanent magnet motor. Sizes up to 3 hp for a 230-VAC single-phase input, 50 hp for a 230-VAC three-phase input, and 100 hp for a 460-VAC three-phase input. This series offers PID control, built-in PLC functionality, and STO capability typically found with more expensive high-performance AC drives.
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Power steering systems for warehouse and autonomous vehicles

Allied Motion has introduced the electric power steering (EPS) series for steer-by-wire warehouse vehicles, autonomous AGVs, and similar material transport vehicles. This compact system includes a fully integrated motor, gearbox, controller, and optional output pinion. It is available in three frame sizes and 16 models to cover virtually any electric steering requirement in applications from small pallet lifters to AGVs/AGCs to multi-ton reach trucks. An optional, patent-pending feature, Turning Wheel Absolute Position Control, allows the controller to know the turning wheel position without external sensors.
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New brushless motors maximize power density

Allied Motion Technologies has introduced the KinetiMax 95 High Power Drive (HPD), an outer-rotor brushless motor. This frameless motor is designed to maximize power density for its volume with a nominal output torque of 2 Nm at 2,300 RPM, resulting in 480 W of continuous output power. At only 37 mm axial length, this compact stator-rotor set is an ideal solution for applications such as material handling systems, AGVs, mobile robots, handheld power tools, and more.
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Compact rod motors: Effective linear thrust generation

RDM-A Series rod motors from Akribis Systems are great for space-constrained applications requiring high motor forces and smooth linear motion. These compact motors feature a tubular design to distribute magnetic flux evenly along the circumference of the stator. They achieve continuous forces from 2.1 to 137.8 N and peak forces from 6.2 to 413.4 N. An air gap between the coil and magnet track enables non-contact axial linear movement and steady force production over the length of the stroke, and ironless construction ensures cog-free motion.
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NORD's heavy-duty drive systems tackle tough industrial applications

Industrial gear units from NORD DRIVE-SYSTEMS are used for a variety of heavy-duty applications, providing high output torques and long service life with minimal maintenance. Combining high-efficiency motors and dynamic VFDs, users get high performance and smooth operation. Learn which drive systems are used for which real-world applications in industries including grain, cranes and hoists, wastewater, food and beverage, and bulk material handling. Good info here.
Read the full article.

XYZ nanopositioning stage for scanning and positioning in photonics and microscopy

PI's P-616 XYZ Piezo Nanoposition-ing Stage, based on a parallel-kinematic design, features a single, lightweight moving platform for all three axes. It offers high precision (sub-nanometer resolution) and dynamics in a compact package. Known as the NanoCube^®, it is the smallest and lightest system with capacitive feedback, providing a 100-µm linear travel range in three degrees of freedom.
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Robot with longer reach handles heavier payloads

The new RV-35/50/80FR robot series from Mitsubishi Electric Automation is ideal for handling large workpieces and heavy objects. This series has a max reach of almost 83 in. (2,100 mm) and a max payload over 175 lb (80 kg), so it's a great solution for palletizing and machine tending. These robots have a wide range of safety functions, including position and speed monitoring, and simplified installation and programming when paired with Mitsubishi Electric's MELFA Smart Plus card.
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Linear servo press solutions from Tolomatic

Improve your pressing systems with electric linear actuators from Tolomatic. While hydraulic presses are a traditional choice in many manufacturing applications, a new generation of high-force Linear Servo Press technologies is now replacing high-maintenance hydraulics. They offer significant advantages in precision, programmability, energy efficiency, reliability, and flexibility.
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Tech Tip: What is a stepper motor linear actuator?

What is a stepper motor linear actuator (SMLA), what types are available, and what can they do for your linear motion designs? Find out in this informative Thomson video. Learn how precision lead screws can be combined with a stepper motor in a number of ways, and discover which type can benefit your linear motion applications.
View the video.

Brakes for high-speed SCARA robots and more

Precise positioning of semi-conductor wafers during SCARA assembly operations requires instantaneous braking and holding power while minimizing heat in the system. The latest compact and slender Miki Pulley BXR-LE brake models provide the needed, perfectly controlled braking in a confined area of the system using minimal power. The braking response and holding power of this power-off engaged brake makes it ideal for this and other high-speed applications. The BXR-LE brake uses 24 VDC for a split second to overcome compression spring inertia to open the brake, then consumes only 7 VDC by utilizing the BEM power control module.
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Automated piece-picking solution

The MI.RA/ OnePicker is a new and fully automated intelligent piece-picking solution from Comau. The easy-to-use, AI-backed, and collaborative solution reduces upstream process times, saving time, energy, and resources for warehouse, e-commerce, and other applications while increasing overall productivity and cost efficiency. Designed to autonomously pick miscellaneous objects from the same bin, it's a smart way to eliminate unsustainable sorting activities. Comes with Comau's Racer5 six-axis cobot.
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Unlock cost savings: Revolutionary GAM GPL Gearbox

The GPL planetary gearbox, when paired with your preferred servo motor, delivers a solution that can match the fit and performance of direct drive motors while offering significant cost savings. With <6 arcsec backlash, GAM says this gearbox outperforms all other zero-backlash gearboxes on the market, making it the ideal choice for your applications. Discover how one company realized significant savings by replacing multiple direct drive motors with the GPL gearbox in a modular housing.
Read the GAM application story.

Bosch Rexroth new linear motor modules

Fast, compact, and precise. These properties characterize the new linear motor modules (LMM) with integrated screw-free direct drive from Bosch Rexroth. The axes are available in sizes 140, 180, and 220 mm and feature a zero-backlash direct drive. They complement the existing linear motion technology portfolio as a ready-to-install solution offering excellent value for money. The linear motor modules are available in all sizes with iron-core linear motors. Standard strokes are up to 1,540 mm and forces up to 2,400 N.
Learn all the specs and options.

OnRobot doubles payload capacity of its grippers

OnRobot's new 2FG14 and 3FG25 electrical grippers for heavy-duty, collaborative applications are now launching along with the new machine tending solution AutoPilot powered by D:PLOY, developed in collaboration with Ellison Technologies. The new three-fingered 3FG25 gripper provides users with 25 kg (55.1 lb) of payload power in a compact, all-electric, lightweight form, unlocking the potential of the latest cobots. Ideal for CNC machine tending, the 2FG14 is a lightweight parallel-finger gripper with a payload of 14 kg (30.8 lb). It doubles the payload and gripping force of OnRobot's popular 2FG7 gripper while also providing 30% more total stroke.
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Linear guide system corrects misalignments

Bishop-Wisecarver's UtiliTrak^® linear guide system includes vee rails for precision and open rails for misalignment float to provide smooth and accurate motion on inaccurate structures. Because precise parallelism is difficult to achieve, it is not uncommon for mounting surfaces to be slightly out of parallel. UtiliTrak's design compensates for mounting errors and does not require absolute parallelism for accurate operation. Genius.
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Nanosatellites being tested to communicate with U.S. Soldiers

By David Vergun, U.S. Army

Tiny Army satellites may someday provide Soldiers with voice, data, and even visual communications in remote areas, which lack such communications.

Already some of that technology has been successfully tested, said Dr. Travis Taylor.

Taylor is the senior scientist for Space Division, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command - Tech Center, or SMDC, at Redstone Arsenal, AL. He spoke during Lab Day at the Pentagon, May 14, 2015.

The main goal of the SMDC-ONE nanosatellite tests is to demonstrate voice and data communications through a low-Earth orbit satellite using military standard radios. During its first test 185 miles up, ground stations in Huntsville, AL, and Colorado Springs, CO, sent messages back and forth via the satellite, demonstrating beyond-line-of-sight and over-the-horizon communications between stations over 1,000 miles apart. [Photo Credit: U.S. Army]

 

 

 

 

Voice, data
In many remote areas where Soldiers operate today, Army radio over-the-horizon communication from the field to higher headquarters like the brigade is nonexistent, Taylor said.

To address this gap in coverage, Army scientists and researchers built the SMDC-ONE nanosatellite, he said, the ONE standing for Orbital Nanosatellite Effect. "It's basically a cellphone tower in space, except it's not for cellphones, it's for Army radios," Taylor said.

The 13-in.-long, 10-lb SMDC-ONE satellite is currently a technology demonstration, he said, adding that one has been successfully tested. It's up in space right now communicating. Three more are scheduled to go up this year, and an undetermined number will go up next year as well.

"Hopefully, we're at a point in the process where the technology is proven and they're wanted, perhaps three to five years" from now, Taylor said.

"If we put five to 12 of these small satellites in orbit, it will cover most areas Soldiers are operating, providing them real-time, all-the-time" communications, he said. Once we've proven it can be done, it will be time to start to deploy a "real constellation" of them that the warfighters can use.

SMDC-ONE is the first Army-developed satellite launched in more than 50 years.

Imagery
What if a Soldier not only wants to communicate, but wants to see if there's a threat or something of interest over the next hill or the other side of a city? Taylor asked rhetorically.

The answer is an imaging satellite, which is several times larger than SMDC-ONE, but still considered nano, he said. This satellite, which is still unnamed, will be given a space test-flight in February 2016, launched from the International Space Station.

The imaging satellite will produce a ground resolution of 2 to 3 meters, he said. That's high enough resolution to inform a Soldier if he's looking at a tank or a truck. Or, if there's smoke in an urban area, the Soldier will be able to tell which building it's coming from. "This is capability the Army doesn't have right now."

Once the technology is successfully demonstrated, the next step will be to establish the process for how it works and provide training to the Soldiers.

"The first step is proving we can collect [the data] and the next step is disseminating it," he explained. For example, a squad leader might need to ask brigade for an image over the next hill. Someone at brigade would need to prioritize that request, because the satellite can only process one image at a time, usually in about a minute.

Then, the data from that image or even the image itself would need to be pushed out to the Soldier on the ground, he said. The details are still fuzzy about how all of that would work, so the focus for now is getting through the demonstration phase.

How it's put in space
The technology is already proven, Taylor said. The biggest challenge is getting the satellites hitched on a ride into space, where they'd be in low-Earth orbit. Most are launched now by piggybacking them as part of a larger payload of a spaceship.

One problem is, you can't put rocket motors on these to change their orbits, because it's considered too dangerous for the mothership and the other payloads, he said, meaning it could inadvertently explode. So, when the mothership drops off its payloads, the Army satellite might not be in an optimal position in space since the mothership can't zigzag around dropping off each payload in different places where their optimal orbits are located.

"So we developed a clever way around that," Taylor said, holding up a plastic container about the size and shape of a fancy pill bottle.

"This is an actual rocket motor, made from a plastic printer," he said. "Inside is liquid nitric oxide and a sparker -- just like a barbeque lighter inside -- so the nitric oxide combusts with the plastic" when the sparker is fired. "That's your rocket fuel. Then you have a very good rocket motor."

Once the rocket motor puts the satellite in correct orbit, the satellite still needs to orient its solar panel array so it's continuously tracking the sun and collecting energy, he said.

Dr. Travis Taylor, senior scientist for Space Division, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command - Tech Center is shown holding a plastic liquid nitric oxide container, which propels the satellite into low-Earth orbit after it leaves the mothership. Behind him is the imagery satellite, and to the right is the smaller data and voice satellite. [Photo Credit: David Vergun]

 

 

 

 

To do that, the satellite contains three wheels spinning in the x, y, and z axis called momentum wheels, he explained. They act like gyros and can be programmed by speeding or slowing each one to adjust the orbit or orientation of the spacecraft. There are also magnetic torque rods in the satellite that interact with the magnetic field of the Earth to help align it.

Once in space, the satellites are not completely immune from damage, Taylor said. Besides space debris, there's solar flares and coronal mass ejections that could penetrate the satellite's shielding. "But we do everything we can to harden and ruggedize them."

These satellites are very inexpensive, he said, adding the biggest cost is the launch.

Taylor concluded: "It's exciting to work with spacecraft that can actually help warfighters in the field of the future. We've had many would-be users tell us that if they had this, they'd use it tomorrow, so I think the odds are good this will be something we see in the future."

Published July 2015

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