Motion Control/​Automation

Bipolar and Unipolar Drives for Stepper Motors: A Comparison

Learn the differences between bipolar and unipolar motors, their driving methods, and advantages and limitations.

Making High-Duty-Cycle Industrial Automation Affordable

A new generation of long-life electric linear actuators has emerged to give designers more flexibility.

NanoGear Molecular Gear

Oscillatory and rotational motions of different parts are combined to pave the way to developing super-miniaturized mechanical devices.

New Products: August 2021 Motion Design

Linear motion bearings, magnetic angle encoders, isolation valves, and more.

“Flexoelectricity” in Soft Elastomers Could Improve Robot Movement

A connection between electricity and mechanical motion in soft, rubber-like materials could improve robot range.

Coiled Linear Actuators for Soft Robotics

This artificial muscle technology enables more human-like motion.

Giving Robots Better Moves

RightHand Robotics combines machine vision with an intelligent gripper design to make more adaptable robots.

Basic Pneumatic Circuits

These common pneumatic circuits can be used alone or as building blocks in larger pneumatics systems.

Back to Basics: Improving Your Drives Investment

An OEM must think about how to build a machine that will work on any kind of power system.

Soft Mate Lifting Device

This below-the-hook device enables gentle crane placement to decrease the risk of property damage.

Shape Memory Alloy (SMA)-Enabled Actuators

SMA tube elements drive rotary and ring gear motion in compact, powerful actuators.

Connections for Control: Communications Interfaces for Position and Motion Sensors

Learn about widely used communications technologies for motion control.

Periodic Wave Disc Brake Rotor

The lightweight brake rotor design with high heat dissipation uses novel surface cooling technology.

Products of Tomorrow: August 2021

A new COVID test, a "ChromoUpdate," and NASA's brake rotor.

Soft Robotic Gripper Based on Twining Plants

The robot firmly but gently grasps objects as small as 1 millimeter in diameter.

Facility Focus: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

WPI supports research in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, cybersecurity, and fire safety.

Safer, Longer-Lasting, Solid-State Batteries

Solid-state batteries offer a higher level of safety and potentially longer life than lithium-ion batteries.

A Soft Robot Replaces Electronics With 'Air Power'

While soft robots hold promise in applications ranging from search-and-rescue efforts to wearable exoskeletons, the technologies are often held back by the electronics, says William Grover,...

Navigating a Heavy Uphill Climb

A team of scientists has uncovered how heavy, motorized objects climb steep slopes — a newly discovered mechanism that also mimics how rock climbers navigate inclines. The “micro-swimmers” are about...

“Sound Tweezers” Pick Up Objects Without Contact

Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University developed a method that allows non-contact manipulation of small objects using sound waves.

Air-Powered Computer Memory Controls Soft Robots

Engineers at UC Riverside developed an air-powered computer memory that can be used to control soft robots. Existing systems for controlling pneumatic soft robots still use electronic...

A Robot That Moves Like a Bug (and a Cheetah)

UC Berkeley engineers have created a lightweight and durable robot that achieves exquisite control and agility by modulating the electrostatic forces between its feet and surfaces.

Algorithm Gives Robots a Faster Grasp

The algorithm speeds up the planning process robots use to adjust their grip on objects for picking and sorting or tool use.

Servo Motion Improves Robot Operations

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

GPS-Enhanced Onboard Navigation System (GEONS)

The open-architecture flight software package provides solutions for onboard orbit determination.

In-Line, Automated CT Scan Data Inspection of Electronic Connectors

A production-based X-ray solution performs product quality evaluation directly on the manufacturing line.