Linear Motor Stage
PI (Physik Instrumente, Auburn, MI), announced the release of the V-141 linear motor stage family. Engineered by PI USA’s development team and manufactured in Hopkinton, MA, the V-141 direct-drive stage offers advanced capabilities for space-constrained, high-speed, and high-precision applications. The V-141 linear motor stage is currently available in three travel ranges — 40 mm, 60 mm, and 100 mm — and features impressive performance specs, including bidirectional repeatability of 0.12 μm, straightness to 2 μm, and maximum velocity of 1.1 m/sec. With a footprint of just 80 × 80 mm for the 40 mm version, the V-141 is ideal for compact integration in OEM systems, lab automation, microscopy, semiconductor, and photonics applications where space is limited but precision cannot be compromised. Engineered with direct-drive linear motor technology, the V-141 eliminates the need for mechanical transmissions such as gears and screw drives, reducing maintenance and enabling smooth, wear-free motion with zero backlash.
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UL-Certified Drives
The Applied Motion (Morgan Hill, CA) products STF Stepper Drives and SSDC StepSERVO Drives are now UL Certified by Underwriters Laboratories. The drives now meet stringent safety standards with certification, reducing risks of electrical hazards, fire, or component failures. The STF Stepper Drives are DC-powered microstepping drives that control two-phase, bipolar step motors. They feature advanced current control and an anti-resonance algorithm that electronically dampens motor and system resonances, enhancing motor smoothness and usable torque across a wide speed range. Additionally, the drive incorporates electronic torque ripple smoothing and microstep emulation, significantly reducing motor noise and vibration for optimal performance. By integrating closed-loop servo control algorithms and pairing them with StepSERVO Motors equipped with high-resolution encoders, these drives enable StepSERVO systems that outperform traditional step motor solutions. Benefits include up to 50 percent higher peak torque, smoother and quieter operation, and reduced power consumption.
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Brushless Magnet Motors
Arnold Magnetic Technologies Corporation (Rochester, NY) offers Brushless DC Permanent Magnet (BLDC PM) Motors, reliable materials and manufacturing solutions to meet the stringent demands of the aerospace and defense sectors. These motor materials and manufacturing processes are meticulously engineered to deliver optimal performance, reliability, and compliance for mission-critical applications. Arnold’s BLDC Permanent Magnet Motors are built with a focus on customization and adaptability, featuring precision-engineered permanent magnet rotors, high slot fill stators, and precision motor housings. Their modular design ensures seamless integration into various aerospace and defense systems, from advanced avionics to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The brushless architecture eliminates the need for maintenance-prone components, providing unparalleled reliability and extended operational lifespans in challenging environments.
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Automation Software
ICONICS (Foxborough, MA) announced the release of GENESIS. This new platform (also referred to as GENESIS version 11) leverages ICONICS’ decades of software development expertise, embracing an innovative architecture that will empower organizations to transform their operations now and in the future. GENESIS is a next-generation SCADA automation and digitalization platform engineered for scalability, flexibility, and intelligence. GENESIS propels industrial automation and digital transformation forward with groundbreaking features including unlimited licensing, and scalability to handle any system size; advanced visualization, comprehensive alarm management, and enhanced system control; data-centric architecture featuring an embedded industrial-strength historian and robust security; universal connectivity and native integration; rapid deployment, future-proof support, and full extensibility; as well as asset modeling with unified namespace (UNS) and adherence to industry standards.
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VDA Adapter
Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR, Odense, Denmark) has announced the MiR VDA 5050 Adapter that bridges the company’s AMRs with VDA 5050-compatible third-party fleet management systems. By simplifying integration to third-party systems, this new software adapter enables interoperability for warehouses, distribution centers and manufacturing facilities seeking a standardized approach to managing diverse heritage robot fleets, reducing integration complexities and improving operational efficiency. Initiated by the German Automotive Industry Association (VDA) and the VDMA Material Handling and Intralogistics Association, the VDA 5050 standard enables communication between multiple AMR robot types from various suppliers using a common control system. The standard allows customers to improve traffic management and coordinate operations when using different automated vehicles. The adapter connects MiR’s existing RESTFUL robot interface with the MQTT protocols facilitating VDA message exchange between MiR AMRs and third-party systems.
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Compact Modules
Bosch Rexroth (Charlotte, NC) has expanded its extensive compact modules portfolio. The new size, 280, can support items up to 250 kg, which makes it ideal for transferring battery modules, machine tools, furniture, palletizing gantries, robotic transfer units, and other larger items. Compared to the largest version to date — the 200 — performance (more weight with the same dynamics) with the 280 increases by more than 50 percent. Payloads of up to 250 kg can be moved over a length of 5,500 mm. The high acceleration of up to 5 g and a maximum speed of 5 m/s are suited for short cycle times while maintaining high degrees of precision. As a configurable component, the modules can shorten the engineering of single axis, multi-axis, and Cartesian robots. The modules can be paired with automation packages that include a motor, drive, and controls, which speed up commissioning and make operating easier. The increased load capacity allows the module to withstand more than 4x the cantilevered forces as the 200 model.
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Multi-Turn Encoder
Kollmorgen (Radford, VA) servo motors are now available with our fourth-generation SFD-M smart feedback device. This encoder offers four times greater positioning accuracy and uses energy-harvesting technology to track absolute multi-turn positioning even when the system is powered off. It allows machine builders to achieve high-resolution multi-turn feedback with absolute positioning information available at system startup. Designed to work with AKDTM and AKD2G drives, the SFD-M absolute multi-turn encoder can be integrated into Kollmorgen housed servo motors at no additional charge compared to the SFD-3 single-turn absolute encoder, providing multi-turn performance, four times greater positioning accuracy and fifty times lower EMF noise. The SFD-M measures the position of the rotor shaft throughout each 360° rotation without requiring reference to a home position, and it registers the total number of rotations the shaft has made in either direction. This absolute multi-turn positioning capability is ideal when precise tracking of position is required over large rotational distances.
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Automation Platform
Emerson (Austin, TX) is further expanding its DeltaV™ Automation Platform with the DeltaV version 15 Feature Pack 3 update for its distributed control system. New capabilities in Feature Pack 3 help users improve the availability of Ethernet-based field device networks through PROFINET system redundancy. Feature pack enhancements improve users’ ability to track changes and produce validation reports for version control both internally and for regulating authorities. In addition, new simulation enhancements continue to improve training options to upskill workforces more easily. The latest DeltaV release is a continuation of the evolution toward a software-defined automation system integrating proven technologies to deliver increased flexibility for adapting to an increasingly complex operating environment. With DeltaV version 15 Feature Pack 3, users now have access to the infrastructure for the highly anticipated IQ controller, a fault-tolerant, modular, software-defined controller deployed in a server-based environment performant for even the most demanding process control applications. DeltaV PK Controller now supports S2 system redundancy for increased resilience during controller switchovers.
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Miniature Linear Servo Motor
Moticont (Van Nuys, CA) has added the SDLM-016-032-01-01-M (Metric) Direct Drive Linear Motor with an integrated encoder and temperature sensor to its SDLM Series of Metric and Imperial dimensioned high precision linear actuators. This motor is the smallest of the series of linear motors featuring: Zero backlash, zero cogging, high acceleration, high speed, high resolution, and long life. Also known as an electric cylinder, this compact direct drive linear motor is just 15.9 mm (0.625 in) in diameter and 31.8 mm (1.25 in) long. Protected inside the motor housing, a 1.25 micron resolution linear quadrature encoder directly connected to the shaft provides the greatest possible accuracy with zero backlash. Additionally, monitoring the temperature from the internal temperature sensor optimizes highest possible throughput.
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