Automation & Controls

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Pro-Dex (Irvine, CA) offers miniature air motors for medical, robotic, and industrial use with stall torques from 2.8 in-oz to 1200 in-oz and free speeds of 7 RPM to 40,000 RPM. They feature a ¾" diameter barrel to fit into tighter spaces than other motors. Since it is air-driven, it does not require expensive Class 1, Division 1 electrical components.

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Clippard Instrument Laboratory (Cincinnati, OH) has launched an expanded 3D catalog that includes its electronic and control valve miniature pneumatic lines. Clippard Minimatics are used in control, interface, sensing, logic, and actuation functions in a broad range of applications and industries including medical equipment and machinery.
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Haydon Kerk Motion Solutions (Waterbury, CT) has introduced the Kerk® RGS/RGW linear rail platform, now including a 180° folded-over motorized design that allows for a small footprint linear actuator system. The folded-over linear rail contains stepper motor, belt, and pully, precision lead screw, bearing supports, and rail with load carriage. The rail also contains the capability of mounting sensors within the integrated dovetail grooves. The standard drive ratios available from the motor to the screw are 2:1, 1:1, and 1:2, using lightweight aluminum pulleys and a fiberglass reinforced neoprene timing belt. Screw leads available range from 0.050 in/rev to 1.2 in/rev. When using a 2:1 ratio, a 0.050 in/rev lead screw, and a 200 step/rev stepper motor, a positioning resolution of 0.125 thousandths is possible.
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Key selection factors for OEMs to consider include wireless protocol selection, battery selection, operating-voltage and space constraints, and wireless receiver location.

Wireless foot switches for the control of medical devices are gaining acceptance and growing in popularity — prompting OEMs to design medical equipment for use with a wireless foot switch or to accept a wireless foot switch as a pre-sale or post-sale option.
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The Eazy Series Variable Frequency Drive system from Amtech Drives (Atlanta, GA) is designed to precisely manage the electrical current for ultra high-speed motors and spindles. It utilizes a proprietary PWM sinusoidal waveform and provides control and protection to AC induction motors in the 40 to 1875 horsepower range. The system includes a 5th-generation IGBT power inverter, a SVPWM control strategy, a power losses ride trough, built-in energy meter, slip compensation function, true overload and ground fault protection, and standard RS-485 modbus-RTU communications software, in addition to standard encoder built in. Applications include rayon spinning equipment, centrifuges, and air compressors.
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The EPOS2 36/2 motherboard from Maxon Precision Motors (Fall River, MA) gives the designer either a standalone multi-axis motor controller or one that can be integrated into the final product as a sub board. Starting with 11 nodes connected together via CAN-Open, the unique snap apart construction allows for quick multi-axis customization on a “single” board. Each node mates with an individual EPOS2 36/2 drive/controller and provides connection points. Two digital inputs and one digital output are mapped on the board with an additional I/O expansion module as an option. USB and RS232 communication modules are available for users who don’t want to use CAN.

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Dover (Westborough, MA) offers the Airglide LED Wafer System, now available in a wide base version for additional stiffness and support for larger payloads up to 50 kg, over travels up to 1 full meter. This positioning solution is designed for stepping or scanning applications, and is suitable for laser processing of LED or semiconductor wafers, as well as metrology or precision imaging systems applications. It can be set up as an individual precision axis, or stacked as an XY assembly. The system delivers straightness to ±0.5 μm, compensated accuracy to
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