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Rugged high-accuracy hexapod for industrial 6-axis alignment applications

The H-815 6-Axis Hexapod from PI is a low-profile, ruggedized, highly accurate positioning and alignment system designed for continuous 24/7 operation in demanding industrial motion applications such as camera lens alignment (automotive, cell phones etc.), micro-assembly, aerospace test and assembly, micro-LED production, fiber optic alignment, aerospace test and assembly, and more. It provides 6-DOF -- X, Y, Z, pitch, roll, and yaw -- to deliver exceptional flexibility. Load capacity is 22 lb.
Learn more and get all the specs.

Long-life electric actuators: Improved controllability, performance

Thomson Electrak LL Linear Actuators now offer your machine designs a higher speed option, more electronic control options (including CANopen), and a 48-V option to meet the power requirements in battery-powered applications. Thomson says the new Electrak LL choices are for those who want to gain more control over the position, load, and speed of their applications, such as smart railway pantographs and couplers, AGVs, automated farming robots, movable steps, and access lifts for trains and buses.
Learn more and get the specs.

New high-payload vacuum gripper automatically adjusts to box size

The powerful and robust new VGP30 vacuum gripper from OnRobot is capable of handling up to 30 kg (66 lb) and is designed to excel at palletizing boxes and handling irregular shapes and porous surfaces -- even those constructed from cost-saving, thinner cardboard. It automatically adjusts to any box size or interlayer, optimizing air consumption and reducing energy costs. This unit is ready for immediate deployment out of the box and includes all the hardware and software needed for all leading robot brands. Lots more features.
Learn more.

Go inside the revolutionary GAM GPL Robotic Flange Gearbox

GAM's new GPL Series Robotic Planetary Gearbox combines the lowest backlash (<0.1 arcmin) and high tilting rigidity with vibration-free motion for smooth, controlled path motion in robotics and motion control applications. Its patented design guarantees backlash will not increase over the lifetime of the gearbox, so no future adjustments required! Many more benefits.
View the video.

Revamped Step By Step tool to configure Galil motion controllers

Galil introduces its revamped Step By Step tool for Galil Design Kit. Now with enhanced functionality and a new user interface, this tool allows first-time users to configure Galil motion controllers. Along with the existing ability to configure brushed and brushless servos, users are now able to configure steppers, set up serial-type and sine-cosine encoders, and tune axes -- all within the new Step By Step tool.
Learn more and check it out.

Stepper drives detect stalls in open-loop control mode

Automation-Direct has added the new Titanio series of stepper drives from Ever Motion Solutions. These drives offer peak performance, a rich feature set, and work seamlessly with AutomationDirect SureStep^® stepper motors. Three new drives are available with two open-loop (no encoder feedback) models and one open/closed-loop version (a motor-mounted encoder provides position feedback to the drive). Unlike typical stepper drives, Titanio steppers can detect stalls in open-loop control mode by monitoring the motor's back EMF. This allows system designers to take advantage of stall detection without the hassle and expense of a closed-loop system.
Learn more.

New high-thrust linear motor stage

IKO's LT170H2 direct drive linear motor stage delivers 260N of rated force and up to 500N maximum, exceeding the thrust ratings of previous LT stages and expanding the linear stage series' range of suitable applications -- especially those that involve positioning heavy objects in tight spaces. Its redesigned linear motor leverages direct drive technology that is free of mechanical power transmission parts that can otherwise hinder positioning accuracy. It includes C-Lube linear bearings for guidance. Together, they allow the stage to achieve higher thrust forces and high speeds with exceptional precision.
Learn more.

What is a low-waving linear motion guide?

If you are having a problem with your linear guides not always staying perfectly straight during use, it may be due to a phenomenon called waving -- a problem that is particularly critical in high-precision markets such as semiconductor and LCD equipment-related applications or machine tools. Thankfully, THK has an answer.
Read the full article.

Advanced motion controller for BLDC motors

The PCR 56/06 EC SD from Portescap is an integrated hardware and software package for single-axis control of brushless DC motors. It features a user-friendly Windows-based software suite with autotuning capabilities to reduce setup times. With a power supply of up to 56V and a continuous current capability of 5.5A, along with Hall sensor and encoder feedback options, the PCR 56/06 EC SD meets various application requirements with ease. A standout feature is the module-only option, which allows the controller to be mounted directly onto the application's PCB to facilitate a smooth transition from prototyping to series production. Ideal for the Aerospace, Automation, Industrial Power Tools, Medical, and Robotics markets.
Learn more.

3-axis motion made simple using CLICK PLUS PLC

Automation-Direct CLICK PLUS PLCs, when combined with stepper motors, make advanced motion control and edge integration simple for smaller systems. Learn motion control basics, motor options, motion with micro-PLCs and steppers, and more in this informative whitepaper from AutomationDirect. No registration required.
Get the AutomationDirect whitepaper.

Ultra-lightweight humanoid robotics arms are ultra affordable too

RealMan's ultra-lightweight robotic arms offer unmatched agility, strength, and precision at a surprising price. Designed with cutting-edge materials and advanced motion control, these arms enable lifelike movements, making them ideal for manufacturing, service industries, and even domestic assistance. Among these, GEN72 is a consumer-grade robotic arm with a load capacity of 2 kg priced at just over $1,000. It is suitable for large-scale applications such as personal research and development, and commercial service scenarios. Lots of other options.
Discover what RealMan Robotics has to offer.

Advanced 4-axis delta robot for high-speed pick and place

igus has launched its latest high-performance 4-axis delta robot, the DR1000. Designed specifically for fast and precise pick-and-place tasks, this new unit sets a benchmark for cost-effective and efficient automation solutions. The DR1000 boasts an impressive working diameter of 1,000 mm and an additional rotary axis that provides four degrees of freedom, enabling users to grip and orient components seamlessly. An ideal choice for end-of-line applications. Fast at 96 picks/min.
Learn more.

How to maximize and optimize stepper motor control

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 Performance Motion Devices article.

Nanotec expands stepper motor line

Nanotec has added the ASA86 to its family of high-performance stepper motors designed to meet the demands of advanced automation applications. All ASA series motors are UL/CSA-certified and offer IP65-rated protection for reliable operation in harsh environments. For precise positioning, they feature a built-in encoder in incremental or multiturn versions. With a holding torque of up to 933 Ncm, the ASA86 is optimized for dynamic, high-load applications. Comes in two lengths and can be combined with various gearboxes.
Learn more.

Electromate offers advanced UAV and drone subsystems in partnership with maxon

Electromate has just announced the availability of advanced UAV and drone subsystems through its partnership with maxon, a renowned Swiss manufacturer of precision drive systems. These durable parts are engineered to meet the specific demands of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). maxon's UAV propulsion systems consist of brushless DC motors, electronic speed controllers, and propellers built for the utmost safety and efficiency.
Learn more.

Landing multi-rotor drones safely and accurately gets big boost from AI and neural network system

Landing multi-rotor drones smoothly is difficult. Complex turbulence is created by the airflow from each rotor bouncing off the ground as the ground grows ever closer during a descent. This turbulence is not well understood nor is it easy to compensate for, particularly for autonomous drones. That is why takeoff and landing are often the two trickiest parts of a drone flight. Drones typically wobble and inch slowly toward a landing until power is finally cut, and they drop the remaining distance to the ground.

The Neural Lander system is tested in the Aerodrome, a three-story drone arena at Caltech's Center for Autonomous Systems and Technologies. [Credit: Caltech]

 

 

 

 

At Caltech's Center for Autonomous Systems and Technologies (CAST), artificial intelligence experts have teamed up with control experts to develop a system that uses a deep neural network to help autonomous drones "learn" how to land more safely and quickly, while gobbling up less power. The system they have created, dubbed the "Neural Lander," is a learning-based controller that tracks the position and speed of the drone, and modifies its landing trajectory and rotor speed accordingly to achieve the smoothest possible landing.

"This project has the potential to help drones fly more smoothly and safely, especially in the presence of unpredictable wind gusts, and eat up less battery power as drones can land more quickly," says Soon-Jo Chung, Bren Professor of Aerospace in the Division of Engineering and Applied Science (EAS) and research scientist at JPL, which Caltech manages for NASA. The project is a collaboration between Chung and Caltech artificial intelligence (AI) experts Anima Anandkumar, Bren Professor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, and Yisong Yue, assistant professor of computing and mathematical sciences.

A paper describing the Neural Lander was presented at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) International Conference on Robotics and Automation on May 22, 2019. Co-lead authors of the paper are Caltech graduate students Guanya Shi, whose PhD research is jointly supervised by Chung and Yue, as well as Xichen Shi and Michael O'Connell, who are the PhD students in Chung's Aerospace Robotics and Control Group.

Deep neural networks (DNNs) are AI systems that are inspired by biological systems like the brain. The "deep" part of the name refers to the fact that data inputs are churned through multiple layers, each of which processes incoming information in a different way to tease out increasingly complex details. DNNs are capable of automatic learning, which makes them ideally suited for repetitive tasks.

To make sure that the drone flies smoothly under the guidance of the DNN, the team employed a technique known as spectral normalization, which smooths out the neural net's outputs so that it doesn't make wildly varying predictions as inputs/conditions shift. Improvements in landing were measured by examining deviation from an idealized trajectory in 3D space. Three types of tests were conducted: a straight vertical landing, a descending arc landing, and a flight in which the drone skims across a broken surface (such as over the edge of a table) where the effect of turbulence from the ground would vary sharply.

The new system decreases vertical error by 100 percent, allowing for controlled landings, and reduces lateral drift by up to 90 percent. In their experiments, the new system achieves actual landing rather than getting stuck about 10 to 15 cm above the ground, as unmodified conventional flight controllers often do. Further, during the skimming test, the Neural Lander produced a much a smoother transition as the drone transitioned from skimming across the table to flying in the free space beyond the edge.

VIDEO: Engineers and computer scientists at Caltech's Center for Autonomous Systems and Technologies (CAST) use a deep neural network to help autonomous drones compensate for complex turbulence to skim and land more efficiently.

"With less error, the Neural Lander is capable of a speedier, smoother landing and of gliding smoothly over the ground surface," Yue says. The new system was tested at CAST's three-story-tall aerodrome, which can simulate a nearly limitless variety of outdoor wind conditions. Opened in 2018, CAST is a 10,000-sq-ft facility where researchers from EAS, JPL, and Caltech's Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences are uniting to create the next generation of autonomous systems, while advancing the fields of drone research, autonomous exploration, and bioinspired systems.

"This interdisciplinary effort brings experts from machine learning and control systems. We have barely started to explore the rich connections between the two areas," Anandkumar says.

Besides its obvious commercial applications (Chung and his colleagues have filed a patent on the new system), the new technology could prove crucial to projects currently under development at CAST, including an autonomous medical transport that could land in difficult-to-reach locations (such as a gridlocked traffic). "The importance of being able to land swiftly and smoothly when transporting an injured individual cannot be overstated," says Morteza Gharib, Hans W. Liepmann Professor of Aeronautics and Bioinspired Engineering, director of CAST, and one of the lead researchers of the air ambulance project.

Source: California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

Published June 2019

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