Motors and drives
Built-In Frequency Analyzers
Some frequency analyzers can be built right into controllers. They should be a top consideration when choosing a motion controller for complex system applications — as frequency analyzers can be used to design for servo systems with low mechanical stiffness....
Recent Articles in Motors & Drives
Roller-pinion linear drives
Roller-pinion drives use a motor-actuated pinion and linear rack to convert rotary motion into linear advancement. Sometimes the rack is fixed; in other...
Calculating a practical hotspot safety margin
Two-parameter motor models assume that the entire motor exhibits one dynamic temperature. Four-parameter thermal models are just as easy to use, but far...
Going green with highly efficient motors
The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) goes into effect December 19, 2010, and has far-reaching implications for many industries. The act has...
Solid ground with selecting servos
Want to avoid the quicksand that troubles others? This article gives common goofs made while selecting precision motion control drives...
Tutorial: Selecting an appropriate pump motor
As in any other application, a well-chosen pump motor must match the application. Large centrifugal pumps, however, demand to be known precisely or you may not even be able to start them...
Adjustable speed drives and more
Here we cover several new technologies and existing motion products...
Piezomotors and actuators: Streamlining performance
Motion-device functionality is influenced by a myriad of design requirements. Consider medical-instrument manufacturing: The research, design, modeling,...
Variable frequency drives
Adjustable speed drives (ASDs) or variable speed drives (VSDs), also called variable frequency drives (VFDs), typically control a motor's velocity or...
Two-drive micropositioning
Electronics and medical applications that involve focusing, scanning, adjustment, and inspection often use sub-micrometer positioning. Piezo motors are...
Variable frequency drives: Shaped control + efficiency
Adjustable or variable frequency drives AFDs or VFDs use rectifiers to convert ac powerline electricity into direct current. Then inductor-capacitor filters...
Green gearmotors
means different things to different people. For most, it refers to energy efficiency, and that's probably the easiest way to think about it: Minimize...
Small motor market faces uphill battle
According to new statistics from IMS Research, Austin, the 2009 economic downturn has cut more than $700 million from the small motor market, which had...
Top 10 tips: Specifying stepper drives
Know the four most common microstepping myths. Myth 1: A high microstep count will result in evenly spaced steps at that count. Microstepping is good...
Stepper-based linear actuators
Rotary motor motion is usually converted to linear through rack and pinion sets, belts and pulleys, and other mechanical linkages. These are effective...
Driving for energy savings
Energy is an increasingly scarce and expensive commodity that significantly impacts manufacturing costs. However, modern drive systems can reduce expenditures...
