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

 

Troubleshooting Basics: AC Motors

Posted by Johann Tang on Oct 19, 2022 6:20:20 PM

AC motors are the workhorses of industrial automation.  They're robust, easy to use, and offer a wide product breadth.  What do you do if they stop working, and you don't have a spare?

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Topics: AC Motors, Troubleshooting, Motion Control Basics

The Right Motor for Tension Control

Posted by Johann Tang on Sep 1, 2022 12:00:00 PM

Tension control is a niche application that is not easy to implement.  Using the right type of motor is the first step to success.  Hint: you don't always have to use a servo motor.

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Topics: AC Motors, Torque Limit (Push Motion, Tension Control)

Is There an Option Between Stepper Motors and Servo Motors?

Posted by Johann Tang on Aug 1, 2022 5:45:00 PM

Servo motor systems are expensive but great for demanding applications that require high speed, peak torque, or feedback.  Stepper motors are cost-effective but do not offer the peace of mind of feedback.  For designs that do not need the bells and whistles of servo motor systems, there is another option.

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Topics: Stepper Motors, Robotics, Absolute Positioning, Alphastep Hybrid Control, Linear & Rotary Actuators, Servo Motors, Network

Case Study: Using Agricultural Automation to Improve Production Efficiency

Posted by Johann Tang on Jul 19, 2022 7:57:05 PM

Agricultural automation has been a trending topic lately due to rising food inflation.  This case study tells the story of an agricultural producer who has successfully improved production efficiency by building in-house automation.

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Topics: AC Motors, Speed Control, BLDC Motors, Washdown, Case Study

Pneumatic Actuators vs Electric Actuators: Which is Better?

Posted by Johann Tang on Jun 21, 2022 7:45:09 PM

Pneumatic linear actuators and electric linear actuators are often compared for linear motion requirements that do not require the high forces of hydraulic linear actuators.  Here are 15 factors that should be considered.

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Topics: Stepper Motors, Linear & Rotary Actuators, Servo Motors

Case Study: SCARA and Cartesian/Gantry Robots for Automated Assembly

Posted by Johann Tang on May 17, 2022 3:34:48 PM

In this post, we introduce a real-world SCARA and cartesian/gantry robot example of in-house automation built using our AlphaStep AZ Series family of motors, actuators, drivers, and our 4-axis robot controller.

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Topics: Stepper Motors, Robotics, Absolute Positioning, Alphastep Hybrid Control, Linear & Rotary Actuators, Software, Rotary/Index Tables, Case Study

Carbon Output Calculation of Electric Motors

Posted by Johann Tang on Apr 22, 2022 2:18:22 PM

Increasing power efficiency and minimizing the carbon footprint is the trend these days.  Do you know how to calculate CO2 emissions from your electric motors, and which types of motors emit less?

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Topics: AC Motors, Speed Control, BLDC Motors

What is Modular Automation?

Posted by Johann Tang on Mar 16, 2022 7:04:08 PM

Modular automation is the next phase of factory automation where a production line is separated into modules and can be quickly reconfigured for different purposes.  We're ready for this.  Are you?

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Topics: Stepper Motors, Robotics, Alphastep Hybrid Control, Linear & Rotary Actuators, Speed Control, VIDEOS, BLDC Motors, Application Examples

Video Explainer: Features of the New BLV Series R Type

Posted by Johann Tang on Jan 28, 2022 8:27:56 PM

The BLV Series R Type brushless DC motor and compact driver not only reduces the size and weight of the original BLV Series driver but offer an upgrade to the motor as well.  This blog post uses videos to explain the features offered by the BLV Series R Type.

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Topics: Robotics, Smooth Drive, Speed Control, VIDEOS, BLDC Motors, Software, Network

Motor Sizing & Selection Example: Variable Speed Belt Conveyor

Posted by Johann Tang on Dec 28, 2021 12:00:00 PM

Many motor manufacturers offer a motor sizing tool to help with product selection, but if you don't know how to use it, you may still end up paying for it in the long run.

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Topics: Speed Control, Motor Sizing, BLDC Motors