Motion Control/​Automation

Magnetic Lifting Tool

Bunting Magnetics (Newton, KS) offers the MagFORKLift that works with any type of forklift to move up to 1,100 pounds of material. It attaches to the two forks of a forklift and works in conjunction with four different...

DC/DC Controller

Linear Technology (Milpitas, CA) has released the LTC3890/-1 highvoltage, dual-output, synchronous step-down DC/DC controller that draws 50μA when one output is active, and 60μA when both outputs are enabled. With both...

Positioning Sensor

The OLM distance measurement positioning sensor from SICK (Minneapolis, MN) is designed for high-speed positioning of overhead cranes, rail cars, elevators, and other vehicles. The vehicle can be positioned around curves...

Torque Location Sensor Arm

KolverUSA (Westford, MA) offers the torque location sensor arm, an intelligent system that ensures every screw in an assembly is in the correct location at the right torque. Assembly sequences and X-Y coordinates...

Motor Identification Chip

B&R Industrial Automation Corp. (Roswell, GA) offers an embedded parameter integrated chip that stores mechanical and electronic motor data such as serial number, type, parameters, and manufacturer...

Rotary Encoder

Gurley Precision Instruments (Troy, NY) offers the A08/R108 series rotary encoder that provides both incremental (to 4,096 counts) and absolute (up to 12 bits) position information in an 8-mm-diameter package. Available in...

Linear Actuator

Ultra Motion LLC (Cutchogue, NY) has introduced the Series A linear actuator that can be configured for stroke lengths up to 16", for forces up to 500 pounds, or for speeds up to 20" per second. Add-on equipment includes...

Magnetic Particle Brakes

Fan-cooled magnetic particle brakes from Placid Industries (Lake Placid, NY) incorporate an electrically powered fan fastened directly to the brake. The fan cools the brake by blowing ambient air over the outside and...

Pan-Tilt Units

FLIR Motion Control Systems (Burlingame, CA) offers the E-Series family of computer-controlled pan-tilt units that incorporate an integrated 32-bit microcontroller for motion control fidelity, including lower jitter, built-in...

Servo Drive

Technosoft (Bevaix, Switzerland) has introduced the ISD860 intelligent drive for motion applications that require embedded intelligence and high servo control. Based on MotionChip™ DSP technology, the device is able to drive...

Camera/Robot System Increases Quality and Reduces Costs for Vehicle Component Supplier

The Piston Group (Redford, MI and Liberty, MO) builds cooling modules for seven different vehicles. These cooling modules are built on five different...

Innovative Waste Heat Recovery Systems and Improvements with Advanced Turbomachinery

The increasing cost of fuel and U.S. dependency on foreign fuel supplies has renewed interest in conserving energy and in generating electric power using...

Centennial Challenges: NASA’s Prize Program for the “Citizen Inventor”

The Centennial Challenges are NASA’s prizes for the citizen inventor. Through open competitions, we seek novel solutions from diverse sources in technology...

Reducing Electromagnetic Interference in Motion Systems

EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) comes in different forms, frequencies, and levels. Electronic equipment has different categories for both emissions and susceptibility. Under normal...

Rugged-Duty Actuator Enhances State-of-the-Art Pool/Spa Lift

The benefits of aquatic physical therapy and rehabilitation for those who have difficulty with weightbearing activities due to arthritis or injury, or those who are overweight,...

Magnetostrictive Brake

A magnetostrictive brake has been designed as a more energy-efficient alternative to a magnetic fail-safe brake in a robot. (In the specific application, “fail-safe” signifies that the brake is normally engaged;...

DC Motors

AMETEK Technical & Industrial Products (Harleysville, PA) offers the Pittman® Series 8540 30-mm brush-commutated DC motors that integrate bonded neodymium magnets and 7-slot straight armature to minimize cogging. The motors...

Rotary Encoders

Heidenhain Corp. (Schaumburg, IL) offers the 1000 Series rotary encoders with IP 64 protection and absolute position-value formation in a 35-mm-diameter housing size. The encoders are designed as single-encoder measurement...

MEMS Inclinometer

ASM Sensors (Elmhurst, IL) has introduced the PTAM20 Series POSITILT® MEMS inclinometer available in single- and dual-axis versions. It is available in a compact, flat housing and features a measurement range for the...

DC Gearmotor

Midwest Motion Products (Watertown, MN) has released the Model MMP-D22-376H-24V GP52-195 BR-005 DC gearmotor with integral brake. Accepting any 24V DC source, including battery power, the encoder-compatible gearmotor/brake...

Servomotor Brakes

Nexen (Vadnais Heights, MN) has introduced the Eclipse line of servomotor brakes designed to mount to servomotors up to 20 horsepower. The spring-engaged brakes are equipped with a split-hub, zero-backlash clamp collar for...

Linear Stages

Aerotech (Pittsburgh, PA) has introduced the PRO Series of side-sealed, hard-cover, ball-screw-driven linear stages available in 68 standard models with travels from 50 to 1500 mm. A variety of travels, widths, speeds, and load...

Mechanically Commutated Drive

Maxon Motor (Fall River, MA) offers the RE 50 mechanically commutated drive that features an ironless rotor for detent-free running, and a combination of a two-pole neodymium permanent magnet with winding...

Servo Amplifier

Sanyo Denki America (Torrance, CA) offers the SANMOTION R high-speed EtherCAT interface AC servo amplifier that provides 100 Mbps communication. Multi-function software includes a motion simulation function that runs the same...

Magnetic Encoder

Avago Technologies (San Jose, CA) has introduced the AEAT-601B compact, integrated, incremental magnetic encoder for speed detection, knob control, and rotary encoder applications. Housed in a protective plastic housing, it...

Rotary Stage

The M660 high-speed, direct-driven piezomotor rotary stage from PI (Physik Instrumente) L.P. (Auburn, MA) is designed using PILine® piezomotor drive technology. The stage reaches top speeds of 720 degrees/sec and resolution to...