What motors do you use for pumps? For variable speed pump applications that typically use 3-phase AC induction motors with variable frequency drives (VFDs), there is another type of motor that can transfer fluids more consistently and help reduce footprint.
Topics: AC Motors, Speed Control, VIDEOS, BLDC Motors, Pumps, Application Examples
In the world of industrial robotics, there are several types of robots typically offering multiple axes of motion for tasks such as parts assembly, material handling, or pick and place operations. These include articulated robots, cartesian/gantry robots, SCARA robots, and Delta robots. Variations of end effectors such as grippers, welders or part rotators can be mounted on the end of the arm to perform different tasks. Depending on number of axes or load capacity, costs can easily add up. Limiting the operation range for these robotic axes of motion is an easy way to prevent costly problems or safety issues later.
Topics: Stepper Motors, Robotics, Absolute Positioning, Alphastep Hybrid Control, VIDEOS, Software, Application Examples
The MEXE02 support software is a universal motion control and monitor software used with multiple products from Oriental Motor, such as the AZ Series, RK2 Series, BLE2 Series, and BX2 Series. This article is useful for first-time users to gain a quick understanding of the software and what it can do.
Topics: Stepper Motors, Linear & Rotary Actuators, Speed Control, VIDEOS, BLDC Motors, Software, Servo Motors
For applications where torque needs to be limited, an external mechanical torque limiter is typically required in addition to the motor system. When the torque exceeds the limit, the torque limiter will either decouple the load or limit the torque by slipping. An electric motor system's built-in torque limit function can simplify machine designs by eliminating this extra component.
Topics: Torque Limit (Push Motion, Tension Control), Speed Control, VIDEOS, Capping, BLDC Motors, Application Examples
A driver is a must-have for any stepper motor. In a stepper motor system, a driver controls how the motor operates based on signals received from the controller. It is responsible for sending current through various phases in a stepper motor and also regulates the motor current (torque) and step resolution. With recent trends of minimizing machine footprint, finding space to install drivers could be challenging.
Standard Stepper Motor System Configuration
Topics: Stepper Motors, VIDEOS, Application Examples
Robotic grippers are typically used to grip parts for transport. The driving force behind a gripper can be pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric. Which type is best for gripping?
Topics: Torque Limit (Push Motion, Tension Control), Robotics, Speed Control, VIDEOS, BLDC Motors, Application Examples
With recent trends focusing on improving engineering efficiency, many products have been developed to specifically help shorten design cycles for machine automation. Part of improving efficiency is making products easier to use, so additional time and resources can be spent elsewhere. This post describes a product feature that can make index table applications less complex to manage.
Topics: Stepper Motors, Absolute Positioning, Linear & Rotary Actuators, VIDEOS, Software, Application Examples
There are many stepper motor manufacturers in the market place, but there are even more stepper motor driver manufacturers. The crowded market place provides many standard product options for customers to build their motion control system just the way they like it.
However, if the best possible performance is desired, it would be difficult to beat a tested combination of a specific motor and driver from the same manufacturer. By combining R&D knowledge from both motors and drivers, unique product features can be developed to improve performance further.
Topics: Stepper Motors, Smooth Drive, VIDEOS
Stepper motors are popular for their ability to stop accurately as well as their ease of use. Both the amount of rotation and the speed are controlled easily with the same digital square wave pulse signal. Unlike servo motors, stepper motors do not need an encoder to operate. Example applications of stepper motors are CNC machines, index tables, robotics, scanners, and more recently, 3D printers.
Topics: Stepper Motors, Motor Sizing, VIDEOS, Application Examples
Automation is great for repetitive tasks, such as test fixtures for a process that has to repeated. In this post, we will explain how to perform a reciprocating motion (back and forth cycles) with a product that does not require a PLC or external presence sensors, which can help speed up design cycles.
Topics: Torque Limit (Push Motion, Tension Control), Absolute Positioning, Alphastep Hybrid Control, Linear & Rotary Actuators, VIDEOS, Software, Application Examples