New Products

Torque Motor

ThinGap (Camarillo, CA) has developed the first member of a new motor family of high peak torque density brushless PM motors that reach over 20 Nm/Kg. The frameless LSI 105 torque motor model is 105 mm OD (4.125 inches) and 25.4 mm (1.0 inch) long. Continuous torque reaches over 2Nm (283 oz-in) in typical applications. The motor has torque ripple of less than -1%, and zero cogging. A frameless configuration is combined with large ID through-bores to ease assembly into OEM motion products. The efficient potted winding and thermally conductive structure provide heat transfer in enclosed places, and the motors also work with active cooling systems such as cooling loops or oil filled assemblies. Adjusting windings are available that cover common bus voltages and speed requirements.

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Accumulation Chains

A range of accumulation chains offered by iwis drive systems, LLC (Indianapolis, IL) are used for conveying, accumulating, and separating goods in logistics and material handling applications. The chains, which feature low-friction rollers, are available in different versions. These include chains with offset accumulation rollers for optimized load distribution, maintenance-free Megalife accumulation chains with nickel-plated plates and pins for lubricant-free operation, accumulation chains with protection for fingers and small parts for increased machine and personal safety, and side-bow accumulation chains with offset accumulation rollers for conveying systems with extremely small bend radii.

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Gear Motors

Yaskawa America, Inc. (Waukegan, IL) created a line of gear motors with a new set of gearheads designed to pair precisely with the company's Sigma-7 servo motors. The gear motors are rated from a low of 50 watts to as high as 15 kilowatts. Five different gear ratios are available, ranging from 3/1 to 50/1. The motors have precision helical gearing with a 40% greater tooth surface area; an enhanced system of bearings, including 45% larger planet bearings; and balanced, concentric shaft couplings to minimize vibration during high-speed operation and reduce the inertia of the gear motor system.

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XYZ Piezo Stages

The QNP3 series XYZ piezo positioning stages from Aerotech, Inc. (Pittsburgh, PA) combine sub-nanometer resolution, high dynamics, and good geometric performance in a compact three-degree-of-freedom (DoF) package. They have a 40 mm × 40 mm clear aperture with closed-loop travels up to 100 µm × 100 µm × 10 µm (open-loop travels to 120 µm × 120 µm × 12 µm). QNP3 piezo stages use an FEA-optimized precision parallel-kinematic flexure and metrology design to ensure multi-axis accuracy, high stiffness, and long device life. The capacitive sensor parallel-metrology design directly measures the output of the positioning carriage, delivering sub-nanometer resolution, linearity errors better than 0.01%, and single-digit nanometer repeatability. An optional mounting plate provides direct mounting to English or metric breadboard optical tables, and a solid tabletop is also offered.

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Accelerometer Modules

Model 2210 Series accelerometer modules from Silicon Designs, Inc. (Kirkland, WA) can measure on one, two, or three orthogonal axes when combined with the company's Model 2330-BLK triaxial mounting block. The mounting block can mix and match up to three single axis modules in similar or different g-levels. The low-noise, single-axis Model 2210 accelerometer modules integrate a MEMS variable capacitance accelerometer chip with high-drive, low-impedance buffering. G-force levels range from 2 to 400. Output scale factor is independent from the supply voltage of 8 to 32 V. At zero acceleration, differential output voltage is nominally 0 VDC; at full scale, ±4 VDC. Sensing elements of the Model 2210 are packaged within a lightweight, anodized, epoxy sealed aluminum housing with a total footprint of one square inch.

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Miniature Accelerometer

PCB Piezotronics, Inc. (Depew, NY) introduced the UHT-12™ miniature accelerometer for applications that demand minimal sensitivity change across a wide temperature range. Model 320C53 has a sensitivity of 1 mV/g and Model 320C52 has a sensitivity of 10 mV/g. Both feature a UHT-12 sensing element to provide stable sensitivity over large thermal shifts. The sensors weigh 1.85 grams with a size of 9.6 mm × 17.3 mm. They are hermetically sealed in a titanium housing, feature thru-hole mounting, and attach to test structures with an insulated mounting screw. Both models have an operating temperature range of -100 to +325 °F (-73 to +163 °C).

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I/P Transducers

The NITRA NCP Series electro-pneumatic transducers from Automation Direct (Cumming, GA) convert a 4-20 mA current signal (I) from a PLC or other controller to a linear pneumatic output pressure (P). The transducers are rated for installation in NEMA 4X (IP65) environments and approved for hazardous locations. They are available in output pressure ranges up to 120 psig for industrial pneumatic and process control applications. NCP2 series I/P transducers can be direct or bracket mounted, and have a 1/2” NPT female conduit connection with wire leads or a field wireable DIN 43650 electrical connector. Optional pipe and DIN rail mounting kits are also available.

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Motor Design Software

Motor Design Ltd. (Ellesmere, England) offers a set of software modules for designing electric motors. The Motor-CAD EMag module is a 2D FEA-based module for electric motor magnetic performance simulations. It provides a range of motor type templates that include brushless permanent magnet (inner and outer rotor), synchronous, and 3-phase induction. The software includes automatic and customizable winding design with a visual editor, utilizes a magnetic materials database and editor, and offers a wide range of electronic drive options. The Motor-CAD EMag module interfaces to the company's Motor-CAD Therm and Motor-CAD Lab modules.

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Strain Sensors

Micro-Measurements (Wendell, NC), a brand of Vishay Precision Group, Inc., introduced its S5060 Series line of Transducer Class^® multi-grid advanced strain sensors for multi-axis force, torque/axial, and torsional load measurements. Design of the S5060 Series incorporates VPG's proprietary Advanced Sensors Technology, from which a specialty arrangement of both shear and axial half-bridge circuits is configured and installed with a common carrier backing. Designers can choose from among multiple resistance values and gage patterns. When installed in pairs, the circuitry pattern of the S5060 Series may be used to construct both a full-torsion bridge and a full-Poisson bridge.

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DC Linear Actuator

Midwest Motion Products (Howard Lake, MN) introduced the MMP LA3-12V-5-A-SP-100 DC linear actuator that accepts any 12V DC input, including automotive battery power. It measures 8.5” long (fully retracted) by 1.65” wide and 3.25” tall. Mounting is accomplished with 0.25” diameter through holes on the rear end of the actuator and near the end of the extending cylinder. The linear actuator has been designed with a steel drive pinion, which allows for 67% greater output force capacity than the company's standard actuators without sacrificing stroke speed. Other features include IP65 ingress protection, 100-mm stroke length, 45-lb output force, and operating temperature range of -15 °F to +150 °F.

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Resolver

The Encoder Digitized Resolver (ERD) from Empire Magnetics Inc. (Rohnert Park, CA) reduces cabling costs through its ability to provide feedback from each station/ device into an Ethernet network. It is well suited for beamline facilities, but can be used for any multi-station automated system with centralized control. Each device has selectable addressing, so the control room can track multiple units on a single cable and display current data with certainty of its origin. The unit includes an isolated 110-220 V power supply and has memory to keep track of the last location, eliminating the concern of losing positional information in the event of a power outage or other disruption.

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Vertical Gyro

MEMSIC Inc. (Andover, MA) has added the VG380 vertical gyro to its assortment of inertial modules. These new vertical gyros provide very accurate pitch and roll (with respect to gravity), in both static and dynamic conditions. The static and dynamic accuracy is specified at ±0.2 and ±1.0 degrees, respectively, over the -40 °C to +85 °C temperature range. The VG380 is offered in two package/interface options, the VG380SA and VG380ZA. The VG380SA is a 41 × 48 × 22 mm module designed for standalone applications, including built in power conditioning (compatible with power supplies from 9 to 32V) and an RS-232/RS-422 interface. The VG380ZA, designed for OEM/embedded applications, has a 24 × 37 × 9.5 mm package, and an SPI/UART interface.

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Remote Access Software

KEB America, Inc. (Shakopee, MN) announced the latest release of its COMBIVIS Connect software, version 8.0. COMBIVIS Connect is KEB's remote access software solution for PLCs and HMIs. This version of Connect was independently certified by ProtectEM, an organization specializing in auditing security solutions in the industrial and process automation industry. New features include support of strong password requirements defined by the IEC62443-3 standard, auto-update of runtime software to remote devices, a static IP VPN pool, full screen mode for viewing the remote desktop, and creation of runtime logs for remote C6 devices that can be exported to CSV.

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Belt Drive Housing

R+W America, L.P. (Bensenville, IL) introduced the CHB belt drive housing for parallel assemblies of motors and actuators. It connects servo and stepper motors to ball and roller screw actuators. These box housings are available in 5 compact sizes and 2 ratios. Each unit is machined to order, and fits the motor/gearbox and actuator mounting patterns. The frame is made from solid machined anodized aluminum that offers corrosion protection and strong construction. The keyless clamping system inside provides smooth operation without slippage, even during fast reversals.

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Sterilizable Encoder

maxon precision motors (Fall River, MA) released the ENX EASY sterilizable encoder for use with the company's brushless DC motors. The steam sterilizable encoder is available in an incremental (1024 counts) and absolute version (4096 steps), both designed for 1000 autoclave cycles. It can be combined with matching BLDC motors and planetary gearheads. The encoder can be integrated into the ECX 13 and ECX 16 SPEED (up to 120,000 RPM and 104 W) brushless drives without any increase in length. Adding the GPX 13 and GPX 16 SPEED (0.2 Nm max continuous torque) gearheads creates a fully sterilizable positioning system.

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