Motion Controls Monthly e-News: Motion Control News & Product Information

The source for the latest Motion Control news, research and product information.

Featured Product

Surface Scanning Sensor Measures Transparent Objects with 0.0004Mil Precision
The Keyence LT-9000 Series Surface Scanning Laser Confocal Displacement Sensor performs 0.0004Mil (0.01µm) thickness measurements on transparent/reflective targets using a single sensor head, even on wet, angled or irregular surfaces. Measurement modes include: thickness, profile, angle and cross-sectional area. Measurement occurs only when the laser beam is focused on the target surface. A built-in CCD camera facilitates precise beam positioning. Details and specs.

News

Some Innovative Applications for Moving-Magnet Linear Motors

Vehicle suspension systems, nonlinear material modeling, and test instruments are a couple of applications covered in this article. Read about it by clicking on the headline.

Ametek Acquires Maker of Customized Motors and Motion Control Products

The Motion Control Group is now part of AMETEK’s Technical & Industrial Products (TIP) unit, which produces brush-commutated DC motors, brushless DC motors, and other products. Read about it by clicking on headline.

Motor Shipments Trends—Some Up, Some Down

Demand for integral horsepower motors has remained strong, but there’s been a significant decline in fractional horsepower motor shipments. Click on headline for more information from NEMA’s latest report.

2008 Manufacturing Webexpo & Conference

On May 21, 2008 the manufacturing show comes to your office!

The Manufacturing WebExpo and Conference brings you and your manufacturing team the advantages of a traditional trade show without any of the travel cost! Participate in a webcast (including Parker Hannifin - Tube Fittings Division), visit a trade show booth from one of our exhibitors: Sealevel Systems, AutomationDirect, EFD, FactoryMation, Parker Hannifin - Tube Fittings Division and Strong-Hold Products and pick up valuable literature -- all from the comfort of your office.

To register for this free event, visit www.newequipment.com/webexpo

Tax Breaks, Rebate Checks Flow from the President’s Economic Stimulus Package

Rebate checks for taxpayers and their families are the cornerstone of the 2008 economic stimulus package. Businesses, however, also get some significant incentives in the legislation approved last month. Click on headline to learn more.

Products

***Brushless AC Motor Features Integrated Controller***

SOUTHBOROUGH, MA: A new, brushless AC motor with a built-in controller is ideal for OEMs seeking a compact, integrated system for high duty cycle applications. The Sevcon HypAC™ is a brushless permanent magnet AC motor (PMAC) that features an integrated controller, accepts 24 to 80 VDC inputs, and provides output from 1 to 5 kW. Designed for products requiring a highly reliable alternative to DC systems, this integrated PMAC is IP54 sealed, provides soft-starting, and is smaller than equivalent DC motors. Designed to operate at fixed speeds to assure consistent performance across varying operating voltages, and/or a compensation mode regulating speed relative to the applied load, the Sevcon HypAC™ accepts standard ANSI pump shaft interfaces. ---Sevcon Inc.

***Linear and Rotary Piezo Motors***

CLEARWATER, FL: MicroMo Electronics, Inc. announces the addition of a family of linear and rotary piezo motors to its product offering. The simple, cost-effective, robust designs meet the needs of applications from consumer electronics to metrology instrumentation. The Piezo LEGS(R) and PiezoWAVE™ motor lines eliminate common problems and offer new possibilities. Interfacing piezo-electric material directly with the output drive allows backlash-free positioning down to nanometer or microradian resolution and eliminates the need for gearboxes, leadscrews, nuts, and other fragile transmission components. In addition to increasing longevity, the removal of complex transmission increases system efficiency. ---MicroMo Electronics, Inc.

***Torque Feedback Device Provides Position or Velocity Feedback***

WOOD DALE, IL: The Torque Feedback Device combines tactile and position or velocity feedback with a steering wheel interface in a compact, IP66 rated package. This allows electronic vehicle system (EVS), personal mobility and related mobile off-highway machine builders to develop robust vehicles and machines that deliver the performance and maintenance benefits of electric or steer-by-wire systems, with the tactile response of a hydraulic system. "The Torque Feedback Device provides input to a controller that commands the actuation mechanism in steering and other by-wire applications. The device also provides continuously variable torque output to simulate the 'feel' that users of hydraulic systems are comfortable with, allowing operators to more easily adapt to an electric steer or steer-by-wire vehicle system. With legacy electric steering systems this functionality either didn't exist, was too complex, or had to be developed and implemented by the vehicle manufacturer," says Geoff Rondeau, Product Manager. The Torque Feedback Device is available in five standard configurations, with torque densities ranging from 2.5 Nm to 12 Nm. ---Danaher Motion