News

Performance Motion Devices, Inc. (PMD) has expanded on its line of Prodigy's motion control cards. The Prodigy Family of motion cards support multiple motor types such as the DC brush, brushless DC, step and microstepping motors and come with serial, CAN and Ethernet communications options. Available versions include 1, 2, 3 and 4-axis. Additional capabilities include new features, peripherals, and simplified programming and connectivity. User accessible on-board non-volatile memory or NVRAM is a key upgrade to the Prodigy/CME controllers; users can store data directly on the motion control cards and bypass the power up sequence. Upgrades to Prodigy motion control applications include the Interconnect Module or the IM-600 to improve speed and simplify the connection between motion peripherals and Prodigy card. The IM-600 provides "breakout" functionality for easy connection of devices to the Prodigy and also a DIN mountable package for panel mounting. The Prodigy cards provide user-selectable profile modes including S-curve, trapezoidal, velocity contouring and electronic gearing.

Misumi introduces a line of drive shafts in various sizes and configurations. The line includes straight drive shafts, one end stepped drive shafts, both ends stepped drive shafts, one end stepped and one end double stepped drive shafts, drive shafts with flange, and one end stepped drive shafts with flange. The drive shafts all features a h7 tolerance fit or the optional hardened shaft with h6 tolerance.

Baumer introduces its VeriSens Vision Series 1500 and 1800 vision sensors for system integrations with sanitary and bio-cleaning needs. With its stainless steel housing, IP69K protection class, Ethernet interface and digital I/O, the vision sensors can inspect, identify and recognize characters.

SMAC introduces its SMAC Series Electric Cylinders for an improved quality. The CA series of  electric cylinders are available in diameters of 8, 12, 16, 24, 35, 36, 50, 75 and 150mm with strokes that range from 10 to 50mm and encoder resolutions of 20, 5, 1, 0.5, 0.1 or 0.05 microns. The electric cylinders incorporate a low moving mass and a self-lubricating splines shaft linear guide. Their features support an elimination of handling damage, programmable position, force, and speed and a low controlled contact force. They are ideal for force control and quality feedback.

For Digital Motor Control systems, the MCK2812 servomotor driver by GAO Embedded is equipped with an EVM2812 board containing the DSP, an LVD, or Low Voltage Driver, and an IB2812 board serving as the interface. The MCK2812 low voltage servomotor driver features a chip with SPI interface, an on-board IEEE1149 JTAG interface, standard RS232 and a CAN communication interface. Digital servo-motion control system is supported by connections to one or two DC brush/brushless servomotors, AC asynchronous motor(s), AC permanent-magnet synchronous servomotor(s) or stepper motor(s). The driver offers protection against over-current, over-voltage, under-voltage and over-heating.

Parker Hannifin introduces its new electro-hydraulic controller - the Compax3F. Features include optimised force/pressure control, pre-settings for closed loop position control, library of Parker valves and multi-axis tool. From absolute/relative position, force/pressure control, positioning to electronic gearing, the controller provides 31 motion profiles with two hydraulic axes.

Bosch Rexroth AG offers its new IAC-R and IAC-P integrated axis controller series built with intelligence, hydraulic units, and field bus capabilities. The IAC-R valve operations includes position, pQ and force control with 4 analog sensors and analog and digital interfaces. The IAC-P valve includes a digital controller with open and closed loop controls for pressure sensor and real volume flow control. Both adaptable IAC valves operate in open and closed loop settings with condition montioring skills.

Wittenstein presents its control loading system technology to the motion control industry as well as the aerospace and simulation industry. The system incorporates high performance servo motors and planetary gearboxes, control electronics, Aktiv8® reconfigurable software, and Aktiv Toolkit customer programming and test interface. Features include a fully integrated mechatronics, standard outlet powers of (115V/230V), high frequency integrated force feedback and short linkage usage.

Siemens has expanded its  S7-mEC modular Embedded Controller system with new PLC hardware interfaces, controller and an integrated HMI. From the S7-300 controller line, the S7-mEC utilizes the S7 controllers and PC-based systems with its built in backplane and I/O modules. Expansion modules include the EM PC and the EM PCI-104 that opens up the availability of PC interfaces. Open interfaces include USB, serial, Gigabit Ethernet, DVI-I monitor port and PCI-104. FOr HMI capabilities, the EC31-HMI/RTX controller utilixes the Intel Core 2 DUO microprocessor. WinAC RTX 2008 and WinCC Flexible 2008 allows for minimal configuration and easy installation.

Intelligent Motion Systems, Inc offers its MDrive Linear Actuators equipped with an integrated step motor and driver. The MDrive Linear Actuators are available with a selection amongst three NEMA motor sizes of 14, 17, and 23 and between two shaft styles of non-captive and external. Additional options include a controller that is fully programmable and motion control technology. Features include an input voltage range of12 to 75 VDC, maximum load of 200 lbs, full capabilities of 256 x 200 microstepping and an operating range of –40 to +85°C. Screws of these linear actuators are developed with premium grade stainless steel for resistant to corrosion and magnetism. Teflon coating is available on the screws as well as various lead pitches, end finishes and length increments of 0.1".

Bosch Rexroth AG presents its ready-to-install MSC-EL mini-slide with integrated electrical drive for minimal time on customized handling systems. The mini slide is available in various lengths and travel from 50mm to 150mm. Its Easy-2-Combine interface allows for speedy connections without adapter plates. The mini-slide is powered by the brushless 24V DC motor. Components inlcude an integrated belt drive gear, ball screw assembly, and lubricated ball rail system. Features include a maximum load of 5kg horizontal motion and 2.5kg vertical motion, parametrization up to 16 positions, repeatable positioning of 0.01mm, digital I/Os, CANopen interface, and pre-assembled cable sets.

ADLINK Technology has released its complete distributed motion and I/O solutions. For motion control applications, the solutions provides up to 256 axes and I/O control of up to 2,016 control points less than 1ms with the implementation of Motionnet and High Speed Link. ADLINK's comprehensive solutions combine a master controller and slave modules. The line of master controllers include the PCI- based control board called the PCI-7856 and the compact, fanless controller called the DPAC-3000. The line of slave modules includes three single-axis control modules, MNET-4XMO series of 4-axis control modules with real time performance, and HSL digital and analog I/O modules.

Advanced Micro Controls Inc. releases its new 3100 series two-axis motion control modules for use with its 1762 MicroLogix I/O. The 3100 series is available in the 3102 version with its X-Y motion control and 3102i version with its X-Y motion control and interpolation. The 3100 series 2-axis controllers plug directly into the MicroLogix PLC and provide encoder feedback and closed loop positioning. Both the 3102 and 3102i are completely compatible with MicroLogix 1100, 1200, and 1400, and programmable using Allen-Bradley’s RSLogix 500 software. The 3100 series motion modules are easy to program without any extra software required. The modules can perform a variety of motion commands such as commands include registration, jogging/changing speed on the fly, and blend move. The 3102 module controls servo and stepper drives with step and direction input. The 3102i module performs linear and circular interpolation commands and can reach specific target positions and output contoured motion profiles.

Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. is offering the TMPM370, its newest 32-bit microcontroller. TMPM370 is ideal for high-efficiency AC motor operations. It is equipped with a 80MHz ARM® Cortex(TM)-M3 processing core with a hardware vector engine that greatly reduces the CPU load. It is capable of driving two independent motors. The microcontroller also features on-chip 256Kbyte FLASH, 10Kbyte SRAM, dual 12-bit analog-to-digital converters, 4 serial interface controllers, eight 16-bit timers, 76GPIOs, voltage regulator, power-on reset, low voltage detection and oscillator frequency detection.

Omron is offering a 3G3MX2 series of powerful mid-range micro drives in 230V and 460V and power ranges up to 20HP.  The compact drive is able to exchange data via Modbus, DeviceNet, Profibus, EtherCAT, Mechatrolink-II and etc. Its features include smooth control down to zero speed with its auto tuning capability, precision and torque control capability in open loop. The 3G3MX2 also delivers comprehensive functionality for positioning, speed synchronization and logic programming. The 3G3MX has two safety inputs and an External Device Monitoring (EDM) output with easy assembly. The 3G3MX2 is both a drive and position controller. Up to 8 positions and the home can be selected without an external unit. The drive enables built-in PLC functionality.

Technosoft introduces its pluggable 180W minidrive - the PIM3605. The minidrive is ideal for motion contorl where a compact size and easy installation is important. Its compact size is 67 x 43 x 20 mm and only weighs 27 g. The minidrive controls brushless, DC and linear motors as well as step motors with a limit of 180W. The PIM3605 integrate a series of I/O digital and analog signals with the capability to incorporate incremental encoders. It can also perform complex motions without the need of an external controller. Instead operations can be processed via PC or PLC. The drive also features EasyMotion Studio software and Technosoft Motion Language (TML).

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The Matrix MXE-1000 and MXC-2000 series are cable free and fanless I/O platforms. They are both based on the Intel Atom N270 while the MXE-1000 features embedded I/O functions and the MXC-2000 features configurable PCI with the option of PCI Express slots with easy maintenance. Both platforms are designed to withstand a temperature range of -20 to 70 degrees Celsius with a 5G vibration. The MXE-1000 and the MXC-2000 series are equipped with a single board computer and easy to mount directly on PCB iwthout any internal wiring.

H2W Technologies features a new low cost with high performance linear stepper motors that can operate in any axis. The 12 lb motor is a complete package; the forcer is lead by the roller or air bearings besides the chrome, hollow or solid platen, a precision ground track. The 2 or 4 phase forcers were created to improve the speed and accuracy of previous models. Multiple forcers can function on one platen simultaneously. The signal from the microstepping drive to the forcer is fed by a power cable. The linear stepper motors are ideal for light loads with open loop positioning operations. Maximum velocity is set at 80 inches or 2 meters per second. Its strokes can reach up to 144 inches or 3.6 meters. Its peak force reaches up to 65 lbs while its continuous force reaches up to 50 lbs.

TR Electronic's new SENSEable line has added incremental and absolute encoders to its line. Interfaces are offered in a variety such as serial, parallel, SSI, fieldbus and all Industrial Ethernet protocols. All devices utilize TR Electronic's optical and magnetic automation. Arrangements are available as shafted, hollow shaft, blind shaft, and integrated coupling.

Misumi's LX Series Single Axis Actuators welcome the High Precision Class Actuators and Motorized Actuators to their line. The High Precision Class Actuators LX Actuators are designed for extremely precise positioning with its compact size and precision ground ball screws. The LX Actuators with Motors come as a standard or cover type version with the selection amongst eight different stepper motors.