Mechatronics and Motion Control

November-December 2021 Control Engineering digital edition and related links became available at www.controleng.com in December 2021. Courtesy: Control Engineering
Mechatronics and Motion Control December 29, 2021

Control Engineering November-December digital edition, Global System Integrator Report

Inventory insights, standardization help for the supply chain, cloud and edge, motion system efficiency, control systems and AI, vibration measurement are among topics in the November-December 2021 edition of Control Engineering. Global System Integrator Report, Oil & Gas Engineering, and ebooks also are included.

By Mark T. Hoske
Mark Rzchowski and Chang-Beom Eom. Courtesy: UW-Madison
Mechatronics and Motion Control November 23, 2021

Low-voltage, piezoelectric membrane is big advance for spintronics

University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers have developed an all-thin-film membrane composite of the relaxor-ferroelectric material lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (PMN-PT) and ferromagnetic nickel that demonstrates an intrinsic coupling between voltage and spin.

By Jason Daley
Courtesy: Chris Vavra, CFE Media and Technology
Mechatronics and Motion Control November 17, 2021

Integrating controllers and robots with coordination

Integrating a single, motion-centric coordinator to control a machine and robots can provide advantages in development time, cost and performance compared to separating PLC and robot control functions.

By Dave Greensmith
Courtesy: Virtual Training Week from CFE Media and Technology, SEW Eurodrive
Mechatronics and Motion Control October 18, 2021

Understand total system efficiency for motion control

Motion system efficiency, more than induction motor efficiency, also depends on electrical input power, variable frequency drives, gearboxes and transmission elements like chains and belts. Learn more in an Oct. 22 CFE Media and Technology Virtual Training Week course.

By Mark T. Hoske
Courtesy: Beckhoff Automation
Mechatronics and Motion Control October 7, 2021

Machine control migrations hinge on system openness

Cover Story: When upgrading controllers and automation platforms consider increasing flexibility and adding capabilities while being cost conscious. Four controller selection questions are highlighted.

By Doug Schuchart
Courtesy: Chris Vavra, CFE Media and Technology
Mechatronics and Motion Control October 5, 2021

Machine control migration goals and risks

Upgrading control systems can be a fraught process and there are many things users need to consider. Seven questions are highlighted.

By Pratul Singh
Courtesy: Festo
Mechatronics and Motion Control September 28, 2021

Simplified electric motion, intelligent air flow control, I/O modules

Simplified electric motion, intelligent motion terminal flow control, decentralized I/O modules are among products shown at the Festo booth at Pack Expo Las Vegas, Sept. 27-29.

By Mark T. Hoske
Courtesy: Lenze
Mechatronics and Motion Control September 27, 2021

Smoother machine designs, better integration

Integration of motion control and robotics, along with high-powered processing capabilities enable smoother, more secure machine designs for packaging and other industries. See video from Pack Expo.

By Mark T. Hoske
Courtesy: PI
Mechatronics and Motion Control September 14, 2021

Designing motion control and precision positioning equipment for high-vacuum applications

How motorized positioners meet requirements of vacuum applications through specific design, selected materials and components, and vacuum-enabling manufacturing and quality control processes.

By Stefan Vorndran
Mechatronics and Motion Control September 4, 2021

Motion control standard simplifies machine design, improves machine effectiveness

Standardized motion control function blocks combined with a state diagram from PLCopen are helping to shift mechanical machine designs to more efficient and effective mechatronic (mechanical and electric) designs, helping machine builders and machine builder customers, end users.

By Eelco van der Wal