Prepare for Takeoff: NWI Aerostructures Thrusts Forward with CNC Control System

The aerospace industry is in an era of profound innovation. Airplanes and air travel are transforming in response to the needs of the global economy, necessitating the building of aircraft at an accelerated pace. Enter NWI. With over 50 years of long-bed machining expertise, NWI is a contract manufacturer of complex structural components, sub-assemblies, and complete major assemblies of wing structures. Read on to learn more.

Essential Control and Visualization, Combined

Modern PLC+HMI platforms have overcome weaknesses of older devices and now provide a top-performing and space-optimized option for designers to implement control and visualization for a variety of diverse applications.

Biomimetic “Myriapod” Robot Relies on Dynamic Instability to Navigate

Researchers have invented a new kind of walking robot that takes advantage of dynamic instability to navigate. By changing the flexibility of the couplings, the robot can be made to turn without the need for complex computational control systems.

Aerospace Vehicle Entry Flightpath Control

This novel flightpath control system exploits the dihedral effect to control the bank angle of the vehicle by modulating sideslip.

Measurement Technology Drives Vehicle Development Forward

Thorough vehicle dynamics tests provide the data that will inform the final setup of the chassis and the characteristics of the control systems.

Active Flow Control System for Simple-Hinged Flaps

This simple, elegant invention can control flow separation resulting from the high flap deflections required by simple-hinged flap systems making such flaps a viable option for aircraft designers.

Ginning Up a Modern Automation Platform

Although the basic function of cotton gins is quite old, today’s versions can benefit further from modernized control systems.

Autonomous Assemblers Assemble

In-space and planetary surface assembly for human exploration is a challenging domain that encompasses various technological thrusts to support human missions. NASA is developing autonomous assembly agents to...

Powerful Micro-PLCs Enhance Equipment and Testing Systems

For many types of machinery and test equipment, there is a great need to perform basic automatic control functions, or even just sensor monitoring. Developing hardwired automation is...

Stabilization Control of a Self-Balancing Robotic Vehicle

Students designed important components for self-balancing two-wheeled robotic vehicle.

When Robots See: An Additional Sense for Better Performance

To make robots truly see, you need the right software.

Inductive Non-Contact Position Sensor

Potential uses include MEMS accelerometers, vibration monitoring, and other precision motion control applications.

Illumination Design Considerations for Robotic Surgery Vision Systems

To have a successful product, one must consider all the required sub-systems to deliver high-quality illumination.

Drive-Based Platforms Provide Flexible Concepts for Machine Safety

Drive and control platforms provide the vital protection of people and machines in automated manufacturing efforts.

Independent Collaborative Robots

Artificial intelligence helps train robots to work together to move an object around two obstacles and through a narrow door in computer simulations.

Magnets Improve Control of Prosthetic Limbs

A system uses tiny magnetic beads to rapidly measure the position of muscles and relay that information to a bionic prosthesis.

2021 Motion Control Product Directory

Explore manufacturers and products in over 25 motion-design categories.

Connections for Control: Communications Interfaces for Position and Motion Sensors

Learn about widely used communications technologies for motion control.

Servo Motion Improves Robot Operations

Servo motion control delivers powerful, fast, and precise movement onboard robots and for associated equipment.

Options Abound When Selecting a Sensor for Motor Feedback

Designers who must sense motor position, speed, or acceleration have a lot of choices, including resolvers, optical encoders, and Hall-effect devices.

Machine Control Power Quality and Surge Protection

You may not be able to see them, but power anomalies that originate within your automated control system are costing you expensive downtime.

Astronaut Experience Inspires Single-Handed Drone Flight Controller

The interface enables one person to accomplish tasks that previously required two sets of hands.

Charge Control Methods for Supercapacitors

A comparison of passive and active supercapacitor charging methods emphasizes the need for a close inspection on power source and supercapacitor demand.

Machine Health & Asset Monitoring in Industrial Applications: A Look at Sensor Technologies

Learn about the sensors assessing and analyzing plant equipment.

Open Controllers Simplify Automation Systems

By consolidating tasks traditionally performed by multiple devices into a single, high-performing controller, manufacturers can improve operations.

Industrial-Grade Open Source

Open source microcontroller technologies in industrially hardened form factors address critical applications.

EEG-Based Technique for Controlling a Robotic Arm with the Brain

This technique can be used by people who are paralyzed or have neurodegenerative diseases.

Resolution, Accuracy, and Precision of Encoders

Here's what you'll need to know when you’re choosing an encoder for a motion control system.