Engineering Notes by Oriental Motor

Welcome to Oriental Motor's "Engineering Notes" Blog:

Products and technology are only valuable when coupled with skilled people and services to support them. Since 1978, ORIENTAL MOTOR U.S.A. CORP. has been building a service and support system to better serve customers. It is our goal to provide the best product and service from the design phase, through the sale and beyond.

Our blog will feature:

  • Introduction to new products and technologies
  • Motion control basics and application examples
  • Tips for motor selection, programming, and troubleshooting

 

Introduction to the Stepper Motor Linear Actuator Attachment

Posted by Johann Tang on Sep 30, 2024 12:00:00 PM

Introduction to the Stepper Motor Linear Actuator Attachment
6:30

 

The popularity of micro linear actuators has been steadily increasing, driven by the need to increase productivity in confined spaces.  To help meet the demand of the miniaturization trend, Oriental Motor has developed a compact linear actuator that can be attached to an off-the-shelf stepper motor.

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Topics: Stepper Motors, Robotics, Linear Actuators, VIDEOS, Application Examples, New Product Introductions, Medical

VFD vs BLDC: Which Technology is Better at Speed Control?

Posted by Johann Tang on Aug 31, 2024 11:47:55 PM

VFD vs BLDC: Which Technology is Better at Speed Control?
8:48

While AC induction motors and VFDs are often the go-to choice for speed control applications, several other alternatives are available, from servo motors to AC motors with tachometers. However, brushless (BLDC) motor technology is quickly growing in popularity in compact designs while also offering other advantages that are often overlooked.

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Topics: AC Motors, Speed Control, BLDC Motors

Gearhead Selection for Stepper Motors

Posted by Johann Tang on Jul 25, 2024 6:06:42 PM

Gearhead Selection for Stepper Motors
15:52

Selecting a gearhead for a stepper motor is like picking out the right shoes for the occasion. Sure, you can wear Air Jordans on a football field, but they're not better than a pair of regular cleats. Similarly, you can use a harmonic gearhead to drive a unidirectional conveyor, but you may be overpaying for its zero-backlash capability when you don't have to.  Picking the right gearhead can ensure the best balance between performance and budget.

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Topics: Stepper Motors, Alphastep Hybrid Control, Motor Sizing, Gearheads, Motion Control Basics

Gearhead Selection for Brushless Motors

Posted by Johann Tang on Jun 27, 2024 5:48:20 PM

Gearhead Selection for Brushless Motors
14:08

Gearheads play a crucial role in motor performance optimization. Each type of gear offers its own features and characteristics, and the gear ratio alters a motor's output torque and speed. By carefully selecting the optimal gear type and ratio, engineers can fine-tune motor performance to align precisely with the application requirements.

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Topics: Speed Control, Motor Sizing, BLDC Motors, Gearheads, Motion Control Basics

Case Study: How a Compact Electric Gripper Can Help with Articulated Robots

Posted by Johann Tang on May 31, 2024 8:45:00 AM

Case Study: How a Compact Electric Gripper Can Help with Articulated Robots
14:17

An end effector, such as an electric gripper, is an essential part of industrial robots. More importantly, using the right gripper for the load being transferred prevents damage while improving automation efficiency.  In this article, we share how one system integrator has successfully adopted an electric gripper for one of their articulated robots.

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Topics: Robotics, Absolute Positioning, Alphastep Hybrid Control, Linear Actuators, VIDEOS, Application Examples, Medical, Food & Packaging, Case Studies

What Does Ingress Protection Really Mean for Electric Motors?

Posted by Johann Tang on Apr 30, 2024 9:00:00 PM

What Does Ingress Protection Really Mean for Electric Motors?
9:57

Electric motors drive our world, but they can be susceptible to environmental hazards like dust or water. This article explores IP ratings and codes, what they are, how they're tested, and why they're critical for motor durability and reliable performance.

 

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Topics: AC Motors, Speed Control, VIDEOS, BLDC Motors, Washdown, Application Examples, Motion Control Basics, Conveyors

Redefining Precision and Reliability for Wafer Pin Lifters

Posted by Johann Tang on Mar 28, 2024 5:55:39 PM

Downtime is a no no for semiconductor fabs.  Even a brief interruption can result in significant financial losses and disruptions in production.  In this article, we explain how a linear actuator's built-in precision and reliability can simplify and even improve the design of wafer processing machinery, such as a silicon wafer pin lift.

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Topics: Absolute Positioning, Alphastep Hybrid Control, Linear Actuators, Vertical Lifts, Application Examples, Wafer Pin Lifters, Semiconductors

8 Reasons to Upgrade to the AZ Series Connector Type Motors

Posted by Johann Tang on Feb 23, 2024 9:00:00 PM

Facing a leaner engineering workforce and rising costs, machine designers need a way to build machines faster with less resources.  Aligned with our continuous commitment to simplify motion control, this article explains the innovative features of the new connector type motor for our flagship AZ Series and how it supports faster installation and maintenance.

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Topics: Stepper Motors, Absolute Positioning, Alphastep Hybrid Control, New Product Introductions

Why Electric Actuators Are Better Than Pneumatic Actuators for Packaging Machinery

Posted by Johann Tang on Jan 31, 2024 7:59:00 PM

As the packaging industry continues to evolve, the demand for efficient and reliable machinery is on the rise. One area that has seen significant advancements is in the use of electric actuators. Traditionally, pneumatic actuators have been the go-to choice for many packaging and labeling machines. However, electric actuators are gaining popularity due to their numerous benefits. In this article, we will explore the numerous advantages that electric actuators bring to packaging machinery.
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Topics: Stepper Motors, Absolute Positioning, Alphastep Hybrid Control, Linear Actuators, VIDEOS

Stepper Motor Drivers: Should You Build or Purchase Them?

Posted by Johann Tang on Dec 15, 2023 3:11:48 PM

Drivers provide power and logic to various types of motors and are essential components of any motion control application.  This article explains the pros and cons of building a stepper motor driver versus purchasing one.

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Topics: Stepper Motors

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