February 2008

MXE Electric Actuators from Tolomatic Now Available in 12 Models to Solve a Broader Range of
Applications

MXE is available in two rugged, durable bearing options. The trapezoidal Solid Bearing (S) design reduces stress concentration by 59 percent, optimizing stress distribution for high performance. With the Profiled Rail (P) design, MXE uses THK Caged Ball technology to reduce friction and extend actuator life. MXE also offers reverse parallel or in-line motor mounting configurations, and all in-line mounting selections are supported by Tolomatic’s Your Motor Here program, an easy-to-use online database that checks in-line motor-to-actuator mounting compatibility. In addition, the mounting hardware is provided free of charge, and Tolomatic will mount the hardware to an MXE actuator and ship it in five days or less.

With MXE, customers can also select from a choice of five solid nut screw designs, composed of engineered resin for quiet and affordable performance, or from three ball nut screws, which deliver positioning accuracy and repeatability for longer life with low-backlash. Plus, MXE features upgraded reed and solid-state style switches, which are both CE rated and RoHS compliant. Switches are flush mounted for drop-in installation. In addition, both switches feature red or yellow LED signal indicators, and solid-state switches also feature an additional green LED to signal power activation.

For more information visit www.tolomatic.com

2008 Motor, Drive & Automation Systems Conference CD ROMs Now Available for $290!
The 2008 Motor, Drive & Automation Systems Conference, which recently took place in Atlanta, Georgia, brought together hundreds of OEMs and leading motion control solutions providers for two action-packed days of in-depth presentations and discussions of the latest advancements in electric motor & drive, and automation systems technology.

If you were unable to attend but are interested in staying up-to-date on the materials presented and exhibited at this conference, the Conference CD ROM is now available for $290. The Conference CD ROM includes:

• PDF Presentations of the Technical Sessions (37 Sessions)
• Video & Audio of many of the Technical Sessions
• Exhibitor Information / Materials (60 Exhibitors)
• Attendee Information (Name / Company / Title / City / State)
  

To order your 2008 Motor, Drive & Automation Systems Conference CD ROM, visit http://www.infowebcom.com/conf_cdorder2008.php or contact Jeremy Martin (jeremym@infowebcom.com) with questions.

The highly energy efficient UQM PowerPhase 100 and UQM PowerPhase 150 generators have been selected to offer Traction Technology customers maximum choice. The generators will be coupled directly to a diesel engine. Traction Technology also has plans to introduce the UQM PowerPhase 150 as a propulsion system option later this year. The Traction Technology hybrid electric power pack is expected to enable a city bus to meet the upcoming Euro V Diesel Emissions Standards while at the same time improving vehicle performance. Working in conjunction with Transport for London operator Epsom Coaches, Merseytravel and Ipswich Buses Limited, Traction Technology plans to develop the hybrid power packs to meet the Low Emission Zone requirements set forth by the 2010 EU air quality objectives.

“We are pleased that Traction Technology has selected our highly efficient generator and propulsion system to power their hybrid electric power pack product.  The energy efficiency of our motors and generators is a significant factor in enabling the city buses powered by their hybrid electric power pack to meet performance and emission objectives”, said Jon Lutz, UQM Technologies’ vice president of Technology.

For more information visit www.uqm.com

ACS Motion Control Develops the First Configurable Machine and Motion Control Solution for OEMs

ACS Motion Control, an international manufacturer of advanced multi-axis motion controllers, machine control systems and integrated control modules, has developed a rack-based modular control system that offers the flexibility to control up to eight rack servo drives and 64 distributed axes via CANopen. Designated MC4U, the motion control system is designed for multi-axis motion control applications where a combination of high performance, multiple support axes, flexible drive configuration, PLC motion and logic control, and convenient packaging are required. The cost-effective, high performance MC4U control system integrates controllers, drives, power supplies and additional I/O and networking capability to provide complete control of machine automation functions (motion, logic, power and data).

Developed for OEM production, test or inspection equipment, semiconductor, electronic assembly, general automation, medical and flat panel display applications, the MC4U is the first configurable solution using standard components that addresses the customized machine and motion control needs of virtually any OEM application.

The MC4U can be ordered in two ways. A fast prototype for low volume needs consists of standard plug-in components, mating individual motherboards (back panels), external network components, standard rack mount enclosure, front access panel/rack-mount and a delivery time of one to two weeks after receipt of order (ARO), thus shortening the applications time to market.

The custom configuration option provides a lower unit cost approach and integrates specific customer requirements such as standard components (controller, drives, supply), standard rack mount enclosure, specially designed motherboard per customer needs, elimination of manual wiring, customer-preferred connectors, customer-preferred mounting and access, rack-mount with back access or front access, panel-mount with front access, and the addition of customer's plug-in cards with a delivery time of up to three months ARO.

"Built from standard components, our MC4U is a panel or rack-mounted system that addresses all multi-axis motion control needs, resulting in shorter development cycle time, reduced risk and lower costs," said Evan Reed, vice president, ACS Motion Control Inc. "The MC4U system manages demanding applications without compromising accuracy and throughput."

The MC4U system integrates robust and reliable power supplies designed specifically for the MC4U system; high-performance PWM drive blocks featuring current loop digital control for smooth constant velocity; linear drives that eliminate jitter; and three-phase motor filters that increase motor functionality by reducing the common mode and the differential mode noise; to provide a low-noise, low-position jitter and low-cost motion control solution.

The robust and reliable components, combined with ACS Motion Control's high performance SPiiPlus CM control module, also lowers the cost of controlling two to eight demanding axes by eliminating the need for an intelligent controller at each axis. The host computer no longer needs to manage the network and can simply interface with the single MC4U system.

Designed for panel or rack mounting, all connections are accessible from the front, making the MC4U configurable any number of ways to meet exact customer specifications. The MC4U also features logic control with OpenPLC standard IEC 61131-3 PLC control and communications for data management with two Ethernet ports.

For more information visit www.acsmotioncontrol.com

Torque Feedback Device Provides Position or Velocity Feedback, with the “Feel” of Hydraulics, in Electric and Steer-by-Wire Systems

Danaher Motion introduces the Torque Feedback Device (TFD).  The new TFD combines tactile and position or velocity feedback with a steering wheel interface in a compact, IP66 rated package. This allows electronic vehicle system (EVS), personal mobility and related mobile off-highway machine builders to develop robust vehicles and machines that deliver the performance and maintenance benefits of electric or steer-by-wire systems, with the tactile response of a hydraulic system.

“The Torque Feedback Device provides input to a controller that commands the actuation mechanism in steering and other by-wire applications. The device also provides continuously variable torque output to simulate the ‘feel’ that users of hydraulic systems are comfortable with, allowing operators to more easily adapt to an electric steer or steer-by-wire vehicle system. With legacy electric steering systems this functionality either didn’t exist, was too complex, or had to be developed and implemented by the vehicle manufacturer,” said Geoff Rondeau, product manager.
The Torque Feedback Device is available in five standard configurations, with torque densities ranging from 2.5 Nm to 12 Nm. They are tested to provide long life of more than 10,000,000 revolutions at 120 rpm, and are engineered to operate in ambient temperatures from -35ºC to 60ºC.  The TFD has a footprint as small as 3.25 in. (83 mm) by 4.00 in. (102 mm), and is available as a stand-alone component that can be integrated into nearly any electric or steer-by-wire system, or as part of a larger Danaher Motion vehicle system.

The Torque Feedback Device provides a variable torque output in proportion to a DC input for steering and other by-wire applications by applying state-of-the-art friction materials and a patent pending electromagnetic actuation system.  The TFD also incorporates redundant sensors for failsafe shaft feedback and serviceability.  A modular design enables the device to be easy adapted to specific application needs. All components and the finished assembly meet EU directive 2002/95/EC (RoHS), and are designed for use in EN 1175 and IEC 61508 compliant systems.  

For more information visit www.danahermotion.com

Galil Motion Control’s integrated DMC-2153 5-axis controller is now being used in TomoTherapy Incorporated’s Hi-Art treatment system, a focused radiation therapy device that targets cancerous tumors without harming the surrounding healthy tissue. The device results in more effective treatment deliveries, with minimized side effects.

The revolutionary machine, designed to leverage the ring gantry geometry used in CT scanning, integrates optimized planning, image-guidance and helical delivery to provide precise, continuous intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) from all angles around a cancer patient.

Galil’s DMC-2153 5-axis controller handles the X-Y-Z motion of the patient couch, which slides into the gantry. Galil’s controller places the couch to within +/-1mm accuracy, and TomoTherapy is moving toward sub-millimeter accuracy in future models.

“We considered several motion controllers for the Hi-Art system and Galil’s controller met our requirements for its Ethernet-based control of stepper and servo motors, ability to multitask, SSI feedback capability and robust programming language,” said Graham Reitz, TomoTherapy research engineer. “It had to be small enough to fit in our very small, allowed space.”

The DMC-2153 precisely controls the Z-axis for handling the “Up/Down” motion of the couch. An integrated motor and stepper driver work in concert with the DMC-2153 to control the Y-axis for moving the couch in and out of the bore, and the X-axis for right/left lateral movements. The DMC-2153 controller also accepts two forms of feedback, incremental and SSI absolute, to “double check” and maintain the couch position should there be any disruption due to power loss, and to ensure precise synchronization of the X-Y axis. To accommodate TomoTherapy’s needs, Galil customized the controller so it could easily accept all of the SSI devices for feedback.

TomoTherapy has over 150 Hi-Art treatment systems installed at clinics around the world, treating tumors that result in prostate cancer, lung metastasis, scalp carcinoma, multiple lesions and more.

For more information visit www.galilmc.com

New 3300 V Dual Fast Recovery Diodes from Powerex Feature 6000 V Isolated Mounting

Featuring a blocking voltage of 3,300 volts, a fast recovery time of 1.2µs max and an isolation voltage of 6,000 volts, Powerex has added four new products (QRD3310001, QRC3310001, QRD3310002 and QRC3310002) to its line of fast diode modules. Options include a choice of the standard dual or common cathode configuration and a choice between Aluminum Nitride or Alumina isolation materials, offering low thermal impedance.

Applications for these fast recovery diodes include switching power supplies, inverters, choppers, welding power supplies, free wheeling diodes and high frequency rectifiers.

For more information visit www.pwrx.com

Making Motor Prediction Less Complex with the TeSys T Motor Management System from Schneider Electric

Effectively managing a motor system can be complex and costly. Users can overcome the difficulties and compatibility issues of upgrading their electronic systems with the Telemecanique brand TeSys T, a new class of motor management protection. The TeSys T advanced motor management and protection system combines primary motor protection requirements with additional functionality. This unique system guarantees perfect adaptation to all installed base motor management needs.

“Engineers are faced with the urgency of gathering and interpreting information to manage work and maintenance schedules. They need a smart solution that can adapt motor management needs based on all ystem inputs,” said James Fox, product staff specialist, Schneider Electric North American Operating Division. “The TeSys T motor management system records motor history, statistics and time-stamped faults to give users a comprehensive real-time view of their motor control.”

The additional information offered by the TeSys T motor management systems allows users to improve analysis of current faults and anticipate future system performance. Adapting the monitoring protection and control systems helps avoid nuisance trips, reduces downtime and lowers maintenance and repair costs. The combination of the controller’s basic protection functions and the expansion module’s advanced protection guarantees maximum analysis accuracy.

Unlike any other product on the market, the advanced solution supports up to five fieldbus types (Ethernet, Modbus, CANopen, DeviceNet and Profibus) without any other auxiliary modules or communication gateways. As a result, the TeSys T motor management system becomes an integral component of automation strategies optimized for integration into intelligent motor control centers and low voltage switchboards. It’s easily used for fixed, disconnecting and draw-out assemblies that meet NEMA or IEC standards for local or international applications.

The TeSys T motor management system offers six motor control functions, including overload, two-step and two-speed modes to simplify configuration and implementation of the motor starter. The system guards against motor malfunctions, such as overload, current peak, excessive consumption and more.

The TeSys T motor management system is especially suited for industrial applications where a high degree of available production equipment is a requirement, such as iron and steel, cement works, paper mills and raw material extraction. The system also is suitable for the oil and gas, chemistry, pharmaceutical, and water and wastewater industries.

For more information visit www.us.telemecanique.com

Piezo Motor Family Drives Applications

MicroMo Electronics, Inc. has announced the addition of a family of linear and rotary piezo motors to its product offering. The simple, cost-effective, robust designs meet the needs of applications from consumer electronics to metrology instrumentation.

The Piezo LEGS and PiezoWAVE motor lines eliminate common problems and offer new possibilities. Interfacing piezo-electric material directly with the output drive allows backlash-free positioning down to nanometer or microradian resolution and eliminates the need for gearboxes, leadscrews, nuts and other fragile transmission components. In addition to increasing longevity, the removal of complex transmission increases system efficiency. With better efficiency and low voltage operation, the piezo motor offers a superior alterative to many traditional motor solutions, especially for battery applications.

Piezo motor demo kits for each motor type are immediately available from stock with a 24 to 48 hour turnaround.  

For more information visit www.micromo.com

20-Amp Rated Single Phase AC Drives from AirCare Automation

AirCare Automation has expanded the AirCare VariPhase line to include a new 20-amp rated unit (ACV120x). AirCare VariPhase drives are single-phase AC based (115, 220/230, 277) drives that combine intelligent speed control with industry standard MODBUS networking. The versatile design allows for either analog (0 to 5 volt or 20 mA), loop or network speed control.

The AirCare VariPhase line is available over a broad input voltage range (115 to 277 volt single-phase AC) at ratings of just over 1 ampere to 20 amperes. The line provides consistency of features and programming across all products. The register settings are the same across all products, and the 7-way connector interfacing the VariPhase to the outside user has been standardized so they are all the same. These features are easy to access with a set-up and control AirCare Console or through standard MODBUS RTU controls.

For more information visit www.aircareautomation.com

Electromagnetic Simulator Cuts Time To Market for Pioneering Magnetic Drive Technologies

Advanced modeling capabilities in the Opera electromagnetic simulator are helping Magnomatics to bring groundbreaking magnetic power transmission innovations to market.

A recent spin-out from the University of Sheffield, Magnomatics is currently working with numerous organizations on magnetic gearing and power transmission applications. Among the advantages of its magnetic linkage technology are long maintenance-free lifecycles, very high efficiency, an intrinsic tolerance of overloads, no noise and an ability to tolerate misalignments. Such attributes are very attractive to equipment builders in fields as diverse as wind turbines and Formula 1 cars, and Magnomatics expects the first commercial implementations of its ideas to start production in 2008.

During the current equipment design and prototyping phases, and to satisfy interest of many organizations working in a very wide range of application areas, Magnomatics needs to produce design ideas and refinements rapidly, and it has invested in the Opera electromagnetic simulation tool from Vector Fields for this purpose.

Magnetic gearboxes are one of the company's key technologies. This innovation uses an arrangement of three concentric cylindrical shapes, two rotors with differing numbers of permanent magnet poles, and an intermediate ring with stationary magnetic pole-pieces that modulate the magnetic fields to link the rotors' movement.

Other product technologies the team are involved with include magnetic couplings, eddy-current dampers and brakes, and a very novel, patent-pending 'pseudo' direct drive. This latter development integrates a permanent magnet motor/generator with magnetic gearing in a single machine that offers torque densities that are typically eight times greater than a standard naturally cooled permanent magnet machine, and approximately double a transverse flux machine - without the usual penalty of a low power factor.

Magnomatics developers chose the Opera computer-aided engineering (CAE) tool because of a number of special facilities, and for the package's reputation. Among the qualities the development team rely on greatly is the speed of simulation, as Magnomatics' designs can feature very large numbers of magnetic poles, with no magnetic symmetry that would allow the scale of the simulation to be reduced. The tool's flexible ability to dynamically model any number of 'moving' air gaps in three dimensions - some electromagnetic tools will only support one - is important here, as it provides the technical platform to simulate the products while additionally accurately accounting for the differing speeds of the rotors.

Opera's fine mesh controls and adaptive finite element meshing are very helpful to optimize both the accuracy and simulation speed of the two- and three-dimensional models used, which can vary in size from a few centimetres to more than three meters in diameter. The modeling language's parameterization and scripting capabilities have also become critical to the design team, as they allow previously developed macros for the special geometric shapes to be quickly reused to create proof-of-principle simulations or designs for new applications. These simulations include accurate reports on the torque coupling, which are calculated by Opera's built-in post-processor.

"At this stage in our company development, short turnaround times on design concepts and ideas are very important to us," said Richard Clark of Magnomatics. "Opera allows us to create our own scripts, which greatly shortens the time required to prove the benefits of our magnetic power transmission technology to potential clients. Because our larger designs can have many poles, and because we don't have the symmetry that would allow us to model a segment, simulation speed really matters. Opera's algorithms execute very quickly, enabling us to respond quickly."

For more information visit www.vectorfields.com

February 2008

24-28
APEC, Austin, Texas

27-29
Electric West, Las Vegas, Nevada

March 18-20. 2008
Dallas Convention Center
Dallas TX
www.AviationIndustryExpo.com

The Premier Event for Line Services for Over a Decade!

Aviation Industry Expo is the aviation industry’s ONLY event for line services. Whether you’re charged with fueling operations, running an FBO, worried about safety and costs, or looking for the latest information on ground support techniques and equipment, this show is for you!

The event is host to the National Air Transportation Association’s (NATA) 2 nd annual FBO Leadership Conference, the AMTSociety’s First-Ever Annual Aircraft Maintenance Summit, the U.S. Department of Defense Joint Panel on Aviation Support Equipment’s (JPAVSE) annual gathering, the 3 rd annual Career Center and a wide variety of conferences and on-floor presentations by industry leaders.

Join us in Dallas, March 18-20, 2008, at the Dallas Convention Center. Register today for FREE ($25 value) at www.AviationIndustryExpo.com!

Exposition: March 19-20, 2008 Conference: March 18-20, 2008 Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, NC

Attend AM Expo/ATX South 2008 to find the innovative products and technologies you need to maximize your manufacturing process.AM Expo/ATX South brings you face-to-face with the suppliers and technical experts who can help you streamline your process and help you stay competitive.

Bonus! Your AM Expo/ATX South badge also provides free admission to five co-located manufacturing shows.

For complete information and to register for FREE expo hall admission, visit www.AM-Expo.com.

Media Co-Sponsor:

Explore Opportunities in the Expanding Mobile Robotics and Intelligent Systems Industry

RoboBusiness is the must-attend event for those interested in the business and technical issues related to the development of the personal, service and mobile robotics industry.

Visit www.robobusiness.com for complete event information or click the links below for some highlights.

>> CONFERENCE PROGRAM

>> Conference TRACKS

>> KEYNOTE Presentations

>> World-renowned SPEAKERS

>> Robotics SITE VISITS

>> ROBOT HALL OF FAME Cocktail Reception & Induction Ceremony

>> HIGHLIGHTS and Networking Opportunities

 Register by March 14 and SAVE $200 on Your Full Conference Pass. REGISTER online or call 800-305-0634.

Discover "The Power of Collaboration"
Join over 2,500 of your peers April 29-May 1, in Houston, TX

at ABB’s premier customer event:  Automation World Conference and Exhibition.
Learn about products and services from ABB experts and users, meet with your industry colleagues to discuss their successes and business challenges, and talk directly to ABB development engineers and management.  Explore 40,000 square feet of hands-on exhibits and select from over 300 workshops.

All workshops, training and customer case studies are designed to deliver results!

Top 10 Reasons to Attend!

·        Learning & personal growth
·        Hands-on training with certificates
·        Become more productive & lower costs
·        Access to key industry experts
·        Meet with ABB product development experts
·        Minimize asset life-cycle costs
·        Learn about new technology
·        Get more from your current investment
·        Make great contacts and network with peers
·        Learn the power of collaboration

For Advertising information, contact Sue Hannebrink at
sueh@infowebcom.com or 330-725-5812.

For Editorial submissions, contact Jeremy Martin at
jeremym@infowebcom.com or 800-803-9488 x118.

To be removed from this distribution list please click here
To change the status of any contact information, call 720-528-3770.