National Instruments (Austin, TX) has announced the NI 9505, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA)-based, H-bridge servo drive module for the NI CompactRIO embedded platform. The module offers direct connectivity to actuators such as fractional-horsepower brushed DC servo motors, relays, solenoids, lamps, and valves. A...

New Scale Technologies (Victor, NY) offers the SQ-2300 series benchtop motor controller for computer control of the company's SQUIGGLE motors and closed-loop linear nanopositioning stages. Using the controller, SQUIGGLE motor speed can vary continuously from micrometers per second to millimeters per second with better than...

Haydon Switch & Instrument (Waterbury, CT) has released the “W” series of anti-backlash nuts, designed to minimize backlash between the leadscrew and nut interface. A blend of self-lubricating polyacetal and stainless steel screw material compensates for wear to avoid lock-ups. Available in a range of diameters and leads...

The Acam-Messelectronic TDC-GPX chip from Transducers Direct (Miamiville, OH), allows distance measuring of ±1 mm rms to a range of 1,500 meters. The chip has four selectable operating modes: I-mode provides eight LVTTL input channels, a resolution of 81 picoseconds (ps), infinite measurement range, and 5.5 nanosecond (ns)...

Elmo Motion Control (Westford, MA) has unveiled its Maestro Multi-Axis Supervisor with firmware for support of the DS305 configuration protocol, DS401 CAN network IO integration protocol, and the DS402 motion control protocol. The Maestro is based on distributed motion control architecture and is now also integrated...

Nippon Pulse America (Radford, VA) has released the RoHS-compliant Motion Checker MCH-5, a palm-sized, standalone stepper motor controller with a built-in constant voltage driver. Front panel controls enable setting of rotation direction, speed control, position control, operation mode, stop time of the stepper motor,...

PHD (Fort Wayne, IN) has introduced the Series PLM pin locating clamp, a pneumatically powered actuator to locate, clamp, and support parts in welding applications. To protect against slag and other contaminants, the clamp is fully enclosed. A built-in locking mechanism fixes the pin in any position to secure parts if air...

The WCS2A/WCS3A PosiTrak™ Position Tracking System from Pepperl+Fuchs (Twinsburg, OH) consists of a U-shaped read head, a code rail and support hardware, and network and control interfaces. The read head optically scans a coded rail to determine a carrier mechanism's position. An internal microprocessor translates a 48...

The CRK series from Oriental Motor USA Corp (Torrance, CA) combines a five-phase stepping motor with a compact, low-vibration microstepping driver. In microstep operating mode, the driver provides 25 preset angle selections up to a capability of 250 microsteps per full step. The basic angle can be adjusted to match a...

PI L.P. (Auburn, MA) has released the M-110 series translation stages that provide linear motion of 5, 15, and 25 mm. Available are X, XY, and XYZ systems, which can be combined with the M-116 miniature rotary stage. The systems can be equipped with high-speed piezo drives. Features include 50-nm true minimum...

MRC Bearings Services (Kulpsville, PA) offers the R Series inch-sized stainless ball bearings for small shaft diameters. The single-row, deep-groove radial conrad-type bearings carry radial and thrust loads in either direction at high speeds. Bore sizes range from 1/8 to 1 ½", and open, shielded, and sealed bearings are available....

Prior Scientific (Rockland, MA) has added patent-pending Intelligent Scanning Technology (IST) to its Prior ProScan™ II H101A, H107, and H117, 4 × 3" scanning stages. IST allows each stage to be pre-programmed with a unique set of operating characteristics to that particular stage. The technology also allows the controller to...

With a zoning ordinance requiring businesses to throw up big, bright, eye-catching signs, Times Square in New York City has an illuminated-sign density rivaling Las Vegas. When Toys “R” Us moved into the neighborhood, it contacted Revolution Display Systems, (Toronto, Canada) to create...

When the City of Atlanta finalized plans for the capital-improvement project at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, an integral part of the 10-year, $5.4 billion project included upgrading the ventilation system of the underground Automated People Mover (APM)....

The spine is the most complex mechanical system in the human body. With the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Instron (Norwood, MA) is utilizing the BioPuls™ Multi-Axial Spine Testing System to characterize the multi-axial dynamism of the backbone. Such testing will help further the understanding of spine...

Serving as non-locating bearings in large electric motors, SKF USA’s (Kulpsville, PA) CARB® toroidal roller bearings accommodate heavy radial loads and compensate for misalignment. Suitable for both coupled and belted loads, the bearings offer users a single bearing solution for motors, regardless of mounting method....

SPX Fluid Power (Rockford, IL) has released the SPX Smiths Model SMR low-pressure DC bi-rotational hydraulic power unit, available in both holding and non-holding designs. The power unit comes with a standard emergency override shaft, pressure setting options, four tank sizes, and SAE and BSPP port options. A handset...

The TNC 320 contouring control from Heindenhain Corp. (Schaumburg, IL) features the ability to control five axes, an analog drive interface for interfacing to existing drive systems, and one-piece construction, the device sports a 15" TFT color flat-panel display (1024 x 768 pixels). The unit’s main computer contains several...

LMS North America (Troy, MI) has introduced the LMS Test.Lab Vibration Control system for closed-loop vibration control testing under a wide variety of usage and transportation circumstances. Allowing engineers to test products under normal to extreme operating conditions, the system supports endurance testing, online...

Saelig (Pittsford, NY) offers the FMOD-IPDCMOT motion control card that uses an Ethernet bus to communicate data and supply power simultaneously at distances of several thousand yards. Via its integrated Web server, the unit combines a 32-bit motion controller and the speed of the Ethernet communication protocol. The...

The TA330 linear three-phase servo drive from Trust Automation (San Luis Obispo, CA) is a 150-V, 900-W continuous (2700-W peak) linear drive. It can be configured to interface with any motion controller, including three-phase DC brushless servo motors using Hall Effect sensors, three-phase AC brushless motors using external...

The Voyager Series VB1 from Techno (New Hyde Park, NY) is a belt-driven slide that features lengths up to three meters and speeds up to five meters per second. Used for dispensing, inspection, pick and place, and parts transfer, the slide can be assembled to make two- and three-axis systems. It is available in 15 different...

The Model MMP-TM55-12V GP52-308 DC gearmotor from Midwest Motion Products (Watertown, MN) accepts any 12-V DC source including battery power. The unit has a diameter of 2.14" and a length of 7.75", with a keyed output shaft 12 mm in diameter by 25 mm long. Mounting is accomplished with 4 face mount M5 threaded holes, equally spaced on...

The dual-axis EZHR17EN stepper motor controller and driver from AllMotion, (San Jose, CA) is designed for off-the-shelf, rapid implementation in miniature applications. Measuring 1.6 × 1.6" and featuring encoder feedback, it provides up to two amps drive current for one axis and up to one amp for the second, with an...

The LP+/LPB+ Value Line series of gear-heads from alpha gear drives (Bartlett, IL) offer a lubrication concept that makes them maintenance-free. The LPB+ offers the option of adding an integrated geared pulley drive system. The belt pulley eliminates the need for a right-angle gearbox, couplings, and/or additional bearings. At full...

Pepperl+Fuchs (Twinsburg, OH) has introduced the 40-mm-diameter, IP54-protected TVI401 Series incremental rotary encoders capable of providing pulse outputs of up to 1024 ppr. Offering a tangential cable outlet for buckle-free connection, the encoders operate at 4.75 to 30 VDC with short-circuit-proof, push-pull output, or 5 VDC...

Parker Hannifin’s Electromechanical Automation Div. (Rohnert Park, CA) offers high-power Compax3 all-digital servo drives, available with current output to 10A and 15A RMS. The drives feature auto-tuning, internal function generator on all units, and support for Stegmann single- and multi-turn absolute encoders. All Compax3 drives...

QuickSilver Controls (San Dimas, CA) has added multi-thread capability to its SilverDust servo controllers/drivers for NEMA 17 and 23 frame motors. Users can execute two programs simultaneously in the same controller for motion applications where the servo controller is used as the main logic controller. One thread can be...

The Model CAN-PCI-02 Control Area Network (CAN) card from Copley Controls Corp. (Canton, MA) provides an interface between the company’s distributed motion control software and its CANopen servo and stepper drives. It facilitates plug-and-play CANopen operation and is PCI compliant. Compatible with 3.3V and 5VDC environments, the...

THK America (Schaumburg, IL) has introduced a self-adjusting power linear bushing with cages engineered of resin that continually lubricates the rolling elements. The bushing also features a hardened steel ball plate with a ground groove that is slightly larger than the ball, which results in increased contact area between the...