Motion Control and Automation

With an understanding of the economic implications of VFDs running until failure, it is also important to be aware of the safety implications of such a feature.

Current data on cyber ransom is alarming. Most companies do not report their attacks because they do not want it to be advertised. This article discusses ways that IT and OT personnel can work together to make your company more secure.

It is on the top of every decision makers mind in the semiconductor industry: yield. Operators are continually doing what they can to improve their throughput and maximize yield in terms of wafer production, all with keeping an eye on increasing profitability. 

The process industries have control valves with actuators designed to open, close, and control them. Many people prefer pneumatic actuators given their long history, reliability, and high performance.

For the past 30 years, Inventek has utilized the expertise from the engineers at Valin to better understand and master the technology it needs to best serve its customer base.

As long as products have had ethernet ports, people have been asking for remote access to them. They believed they could just plug the devices into the internet, and it would all work. As more software tools became available and internet speeds increased, capable users found ways to give themselves access, however, there was a catch.

Maintaining a consistent internal environment for your enclosures is critical for equipment to function properly. The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has defined standards for specific enclosures designed for the application and environment when correctly installed. Learn more.

Strategic implementation of sensors helps maximize a process from the start and equips operators with enough information to constantly be aware of everything happening in a line. So, what type of sensor(s) will work best for your environment?

Looking for ways to support your systems more easily, more safely, and more quickly for your customers?  Perhaps you are wondering what remote access technology is for industrial control systems.

Automation of product testing with IAI hardware and EtherNet/IP communication successfully eliminates monotonous manual labor and human error.

For automating machines that require only two to three axes of electric actuators, pulse outputs may be the simplest way to go.

When manufacturing engineers are tasked with automating a process that is currently done manually, their main question for an automation supplier is "Have you ever automated this specific process before?" In complex applications, the answer is typically "no." Learn more.

Closed-loop stepper motors may be the best choice for tasks typically done by servos because traditional steppers couldn't handle them.

Predicting your plant's future depends on collecting and analyzing the correct type and amount of equipment and process data. Predictive maintenance (PdM), much like "IIoT," "Industry 4.0," and "Plug n Play," may be exciting concepts, but many plants still aren't leveraging them fully. Learn more.

Engineers building linear-motion systems can use ground-up DIY approaches or purchase complete turnkey solutions. Here we explain where each tactic is most profitable.

Robotics and motion control are closely related in many ways, but robots lean towards a "pre-engineered" solution while motion control leans towards a modular solution. Before deciding to install a robot or motion control component, these are ten questions to ask yourself.

Robotics can be narrowed down to five types: Cartesian, Cylindrical, SCARA, 6-Axis, and Delta. Each has specific elements (speed, size, workspace) making them ideal for certain applications. Knowledge of each type can help machine designers choose the best robot for their process. Learn more.

The latest developments in servo technology allow for the benefits of high-performance motion control to be used in harsh environments.

We think of routine care and maintenance of a system to stave off failures as standard practice, but what about preventive maintenance of the replacement parts used when the system does fail?

Electromechanical drives continue to capture more factory automation projects, but pneumatics technology still offers distinct advantages in many fields.

Employing flexible automation technology now is vital for companies to sustain growth, keep a diverse range of products flowing through their lines, and minimize downtime with product changeovers. Advances in industrial technology and the evolution of automation have been unprecedented. Learn more.

As electronics and technologies become smaller and more intricate, engineers are running into new challenges in automating manufacturing processes. The challenges of manufacturing new products extend beyond the capabilities of precise motion control mechanics to include environmental control.

Inside of plants today, AC motors are becoming the industry standard. Many plants are shifting to AC motors from hydraulic motors or DC motors when powering heavy loads, which were more popular in the past. This shift can be attributed to a variety of reasons and most have to do with cost.

For automation applications, one of the larger misconceptions in the industry today is that when someone uses the phrase "motion control," they can just as easily use the term "robotics," as if the two are interchangeable. Read more.