March 1, 2009
Features
A controlled STOP
Fast, powerful and controllable, servomotors are an essential part of many designs. But what happens when power to them shuts down? Without energy to...
Introduction to PID control
Everyone uses control loops. Anytime you adjust how you do something based on previous results, you are forming your own control loop. For example, when...
Machine vision passes inspection on the production line
Vision sensors, in contrast to traditional photoelectric sensors, help machines inspect, analyze, and reject faulty parts....
Design by Objective: Green engineering
When it comes to saving energy and using resources more efficiently and sustainably, today’s engineers and bean counters alike know that green is the new black. This special report on green engineering takes a look at some of the latest tools and tactics for greening up your next design....
LEDs lighting the way
While energy production and distribution have always been a challenge, today it is increasingly urgent to reduce power consumption — and lighting is no exception. Light-emitting diodes or LEDs provide an alternative to conventional lighting for consuming less power, lower thermal dissipation, and longer life. In fact, LED products are already spurring evolution in lighting, and it is anticipated that power LEDs will lead the way in combining high intensity and efficiency. So what is the structure of LEDs, and how do they emit light?...
Articles
Web Contents
CANopen free online class Learn all about it! CANopen, based on Controller Area Network or CAN technology, is a proven serial bus that links multiple...
Sun shining on engineers
Finally, science and technology are once again elevated to their rightful pedestal as the means to a stable and prosperous future for Americans. Washington's...
In Response
The following letter is in response to an article in our January issue that showcased a 1925 Lanchester 40HP Tourer that ran into car trouble involving...
Moving rod ends
Similar to ball-and-socket joints, rod ends integrate a spherical bearing with a threaded shaft to make a support structure for other pivoting or moving...
Q&A
What options are there for the inner working surfaces? The surfaces of two parts come into contact and generate friction in every rod end: the inner rounded-out...
Timely tips for dealing with drive accessories
Beware of VFD-induced motor currents Engineers are often unaware of the currents induced on motor shafts by variable frequency drives (VFDs) and the havoc...
Save time with displacement sensing
Long-life sensors reduce downtime LP750 linear position sensors save maintenance time and cost over more delicate potentiometers. These noncontact, long-stroke...
Servo couplings
Stainless steel bellows couplings Precision couplings Flex B and Flex K provide excellent kinematic properties with three types that offer different combinations...
Update your files quickly and easily.
Get your next project off to a fast start, no matter what it entails, by collecting design-oriented information now. Send in your response card (stitched...
Mechanical speed adjustment
In 1959, when Motion System Design made its debut, mechanical systems were the only way to control system speed. Now we ask of one inaugural-issue headline:...
