Motion Control Products - Just the Basics

By Todd Smith


Motion control products are vital to several industries , but for the majority of people the way in which they work is totally unknown. There are many elemental things which make motion control products valuable and effective. It all begins with software. Programmed computers tell the product how to position itself.

A motion controller takes the info from the PC and moves using servos. The motion controller gets assistance from an amplifier which can provide drive for the motor. As with any other machine motors create energy. The size of the motor has to house the power necessary to run the system, in particular the revolution required for the machine to reach its target. Together with this there are inbuilt feedback sensors in many motion control products. Servo motors need them but 'stepper motors' may not.

Let's look a touch more closely at each one of these elements. Software starts with designing basic configurations that measure automation. Next comes the prototype that can be tested to determine if it works efficiently for the motion required. Then you get into Visual Basic and other trade languages to make a functional application.

That process isn't fast or simple. The goal is to get to a prototype phase. Basically the prototype gets put through all the potential eventualities as what could be predicted to happen with the final user. To help with this there is various sorts of cooperative valuation software that measures precision. The results from those reports lead directly to further 'tune ups ' till the configuration of the motion control system is correct. Since motion control is like a brain for a machine, this is a critical step.

There are a lot of variables with motion control, but trajectory ranks highly. You need to get the machine where it has to go, at the rate it needs to go and then stop when it needs to stop.

So what precisely are motion control products utilised for? A conveyor is a good example. Conveyors need to move with the minimum amount of vibration. They also have to speed up or slow down based on production. In this example the most commonly used motion control tools are AC motors, brush-less motors and stepping motors.

Another example is linear actuators,eg the ones that apply thread. You want precision in the size of stitches combined with another system that moves the base material along at a controlled rate. Stepper motors are not unusual in this type of application.

The world of motion control products is very large and frequently difficult to navigate without some consultation. Use the professionals in your field or reach out to an organization that will help you find the best elements or machine for the application desired.




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