Motion control
Modular multi-axis robotic joints (12/12/2011)
Robolink is a system of modular multi-axis joints designed by igus for use in humanoid robots and lightweight automation applications, particularly in projects where masses are to be kept as low as possible.
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New dimensions in decentralised drive architecture (21/11/2011)
B&R is expanding its range of drives with a series of motor-integrated servo drives with IP65 protection.
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Efficient drive solutions complement IE2 and IE3 motors (18/10/2011)
More than two thirds of the total energy spend for industrial automation is consumed by electric drive technology and that an individual electric motor’s energy consumption makes up about 98% of its total cost of ownership over its average life.
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TÜV certifies Mechatrolink Network Safety Protocol 19/09/2011
Mechatrolink Members Association (MMA) has received confirmation that its Mechatrolink motion control network meets industry safety standards. Certification was received after an independent third party confirmed that these specifications satisfied the requirements of IEC61508 safety integrity level SIL3.
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Copalp system passes PLCopen tests 13/09/2011
PLCopen has announced that Copalp has successfully passed the tests performed by the test laboratory of iƒak in Germany, for the Certification of a system according to PLCopen Conformity Level ST (Structured Text for its Straton version 8.2 offering.
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Drives and controls upgrade for Saica Packaging 19/07/2011
The UK operation of Saica Packaging has succeeded in increasing its productivity levels following a drives and controls upgrade by Optima Control Solutions (OCS) on a corrugating line at its Edinburgh plant.
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Integrated motors in packaging equipment on the rise 10/05/2011
A recent study from IMS Research indicates that integrated motor sales into the packaging industry are forecast to continue growing following a 48.8% growth in 2010.
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PLC and motion control combines with visualisation 31/03/2011
The Lenze 3200C controller, launched at the 2010 SPS/IPC/Drives, interestingly combines PLC and motion control functionalities with visualisation in a bid to target complex machines with multiple axes and centralised control such as packaging machinery, handling systems and robots.
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Slimmed down servo control 22/03/2011
The incredibly thin new servo controller from Beckhoff - measuring just 12mm wide - was displayed at SPS/IPS/Drives. The EL7201 servo terminal, for the Beckhoff EtherCAT Terminal system, integrates a complete servo drive for motors up to 200 W into a standard I/O terminal housing.
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Huge energy savings realised on Coca-Cola bottling line 04/03/2011
While retrofitting a transportation system, Vienna-based Coca-Cola Hellenic Austria used a mechatronic drive which has allowed for a 75% energy saving, which is equivalent to an annual reduction of 41 tons of CO2.
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Linear motors application guide update 01/03/2011
Aerotech has released an updated edition of its popular Linear Motors Application Guide including a new section on applying linear motors as components in servo positioning systems.
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Multi-axis coating machine handles high volume throughput 15/02/2011
A real-time Ethernet motion control system has helped Advanced Coating Robotics (ACR) to create a new conformal coating machine that combines exceptional three-dimensional spraying accuracy with high throughput.
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Robot-style handling and positioning performance at a fraction of the cost 08/02/2011
A compact, integrated motion control subsystem for automation applications has been introduced by Festo, to offer machine builders a flexible way of providing programmable rotary and linear movement. Said to be suitable for parts handling and positioning applications, the EHMB module incorporates an interesting decoupled design which enables the rotary and lifting movements to be controlled completely independently, enabling fast and accurate positioning.
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