Get the latest linear motion news from industry experts. Linear Motion Tips is committed to providing engineers and manufacturing professionals with up-to-date information. Our resourceful articles discuss linear motion components tools, products and procedures designed to help with efficiency in the field.

Autonics sensors & controllers Selection Guide Ver. 12.1

 

Established in 1977, Autonics is a leading company of sensors & controllers in Korea and the No.1 exporting company as well, its world class products over 5,000 items are marketed in more than 100 countries world wide to satisfy customer needs in various fields of Industrial Automation.

 

Click here to download the Autonics selection guide.

Aerotech introduces new standalone multi-axis drive and motion control system

Aerotech (www.aerotech.com) has expanded its Ensemble portfolio of advanced multi-axis motion controllers with the addition of its latest Epaq MR Series. Featuring a selection of up to eight micro-stepping drives or servo fitted in a 19-inch 3U rack, the newcomer comes complete with connectors and power supplies for feedback, motor power and expandable machine I/O.

The Epaq MR offers multitasking programming for five separate tasks of synchronized multi-axis motion as well as I/O with circular and linear interpolation, velocity profiling, electronic gearbox and contouring functions. Data capture and I/O triggered ‘on-the-fly’ position registration functions are also included as a single-axis implementation of the company’s innovative Position Synchronized Output (PSO), where laser power control and axis position and other external events are coordinated tightly.

The new Ensemble Epaq MR supports technologies such as linear stage and PWM servo amplifiers for brushless and brushed motors, and micro-stepping drives.

Each axis of the Epaq MR features servo feedback that includes primary and secondary encoders. It also offers a selection of 4096 or 65636 multiplication factors to offer the connected mechanical system with positioning resolution ranging from micron- to nano-level. Every drive features a complement of I/O that comes with an optional expansion card for additional analogue and digital I/O.

Specifically designed with Integrated Development Environment (IDE) software platform, the Epaq MR seamlessly blends simplicity with adaptability through optional software modules.

The Ensemble range of motion controllers also features a remote ASCII interface for non-Windows (including Linux) or Windows programs, enabling external command via the standard Ethernet port.

ATEX-Rated High-Temperature Hazardous Location Positioner from Exlar

Chanhassen, Minn. – Exlar’s EXP-24 Positioner conforms to both ATEX (Directive 94/9/EC) and CSA regulations for explosion-proof applications, and can be used to control most of the company’s three-phase linear and rotary actuators, including the EL100 linear and ER115 rotary actuators.

Housed in an IP66-rated enclosure, the Exlar EXP-24 Positioner integrates a fully featured 24VDC motion controller and brushless servo motor amplifier, and is able to power most resolver feedback brushless motors on the market. With an operating temperature range of -29 to 82°C, the EXP-24 is ideal for process control applications and provides the functionality to position a valve or damper by following an analog input signal and providing position feedback via an analog output. For other applications, additional motion modes are available to accommodate the widest possible range of motion control applications.

Designed for analog control, the EXP-24 also includes an isolated RS485 Modbus serial interface for easy integration into factory-wide process systems. Several diagnostics features are available including real time monitoring, following error, position error, input and output status, communication diagnostics, a multi-channel oscilloscope and data logger.

The EXP-24 is set up via Windows-based software. The software lets users select all aspects of configuration and control required for operation. Tabbed pages provide access to input all of the parameters necessary for configuration of valve control or general motion control applications and further simplify the set-up process.

www.exlar.com

Techno’s New TechnoMod Gantry CNC System

Techno, Inc. Linear Motion Systems (www.technoautomation.com) is proud to introduce the TechnoMod Gantry Machine – a multi-axis motion platform complemented with complete cabling, controls, enclosure and software that were fully assembled.

Available in three different sizes, the TechnoMod Gantry CNC system can be used for dispensing, pick and place, assembly, drilling, testing, welding, routing and general automation applications.

“The New TechnoMod XYZ gantry table is completely assembled when it arrives. All electronics are wired, and software installed, allowing customers the ease of running the machine in any work cell shortly,” said Joe Griffin, Sales Manager of Techno Linear Motion. “The only setup customers may have to perform is the mounting of drill, dispenser, laser or automation tooling required for their application, and in many cases Techno can do this for the customer prior to shipping.”

The TechnoMod Gantry CNC system’s travel ranges are 650x650x275mm for the Model 65, 650x450x275mm for the Model 45 and 650x300x275mm for the Model 30. A fourth or fifth rotary axis can also be added to the machine for complex operations, while all of its drive motors are DC brushless servos that provide high torque and precision. The system can be offered with or without electronics and a sliding front door with safety interlock. It features a built-in rugged swing arm and industrial computer console, which includes a keyboard and monitor.

iMC-V CAN Controller from Techno, Inc.

New Hyde Park, NY – Techno, Inc. Linear Motion Systems announces the New iMC-V CAN controller, a single-to six-axis controller unit complete with drives, power supply, I/O, enclosure, onboard computer and 10″ touch screen. The iMC-V is compatible with all Techno’s gantry tables, linear slides, belt drive actuators and rotary tables and can be used for pick and place, dispensing, assembly, testing, drilling, routing, welding and general automation.

There are 16 digital inputs and 8 digital outputs per unit, which can be expanded up to 128 points of I/O through the CAN bus. The iMC-V can also perform linear, circular and helical interpolation, ultimately expanding the applications it can be used for. A rugged industrial desktop enclosure (optional frame mount) with 10″ touch screen and keyboard make for a robust system which can operate on the plant floor. Recent applications include a 6-axis version used in the automotive field and a 4-axis version used to manufacture cosmetics.

Techno, Inc. Linear Motion Systems
www.techno-isel.com/tic/Catdas/Multi-AxisServoMotionController.htm

CAN in Automation 402-CANopen Profiles Extended to OEM Drives

Covina, Ca. – QuickSilver Controls, Inc. has added CANopen® DSP 402 (CiA® DSP 402 v3.0) to its OEM line of controllers/drivers for NEMA 11, 17 and 23 frame brushless servo motors, further extending the capabilities by adding encoder following and hard-stop homing capabilities as a manufacturer extension to the specification. This adds the QCI-D2-MG-C and QCI-D2-IG-J low-cost and small format controllers to the QuickSilver products supporting CANopen. These controllers provide 3.5A continuous and 4.5A peak output at 12 to 48V.

CiA 402 refers to CAN in Automation (CiA) CANopen Drives and Motion Control Profile 402. This profile defines such functions as start-up and homing techniques as well as motion profiles. A host controller, for example a PLC, supporting CiA 402 could command multiple CiA 402 motor controllers from multiple vendors.

CiA 402 runs on top of CANopen (CiA DSP 302 v4.0) which can be configured for peer-to-peer, master or slave. This allows controllers to share I/O and registers with other CANopen enabled SilverDust™ controllers or 3rd party CANopen devices such as I/O blocks, encoders, PLCs, etc.

For more information on CANopen and CiA DSP 402, visit http://www.can-cia.org/

www.quicksilvercontrols.com

Two-Axis Motion Control Modules from AMCI

Terryville, Conn. - Advanced Micro Controls Inc. (AMCI) announces the 3100 Series two-axis motion control modules for the 1762 MicroLogix PLC. These two-axis controllers plug directly into MicroLogix PLCs and are available in two versions: 3102 (X-Y motion control) and 3102i (X-Y motion control + interpolation).

AMCI’s 3100 series modules provide encoder feedback in addition to a wide range of motion commands, satisfying simple to sophisticated application requirements. Both the 3102 and 3102i are 100% compatible with MicroLogix 1100, 1200, and 1400, and are easy to program using Allen-Bradley’s RSLogix 500 software.

AMCI’s 3100 series motion modules are easy to program with no extra software required, and offer a wide range of motion commands including registration, jogging/changing speed on the fly, and blend moves. Linear and circular interpolation are exclusive to the 3102i module, enabling more sophisticated motion control. Both modules provide encoder feedback, providing closed-loop positioning.

The 3102 module can control servo and/or stepper drives with step/direction input.  Motion commands include jog, home, and point-to-point control. Common applications for this motion controller include assembly lines, conveyor control, in-process gauging, and valve control, among others.

Developed to simplify more complex applications, the 3102i module includes linear and circular interpolation commands. These additional features make this module stand out with the ability to reach specific target positions and output contoured motion profiles.  Popular applications for this more advanced controller include high-speed assembly, water jet cutting, storage and sorting, laser trimming, needle inspection systems, and more.
www.amci.com