Linear Actuator Options
Mechanical Power TransmissionMotion ControlProductProgrammable Control

Linear Actuator Options

Linear actuators, driven with servo or stepper motors, are an effective way to implement accurate automated machine motion. Chip McDaniel at AutomationDirect wrote an article for the January 2023 issue of Design World’s Linear Motion Tips. Titled A Straight Line to Effective Linear Motion, this article explains linear actuator technologies, and it shows how they…
Practical Motion Control Using Micro-PLCs
Motion ControlProductProgrammable Control

Practical Motion Control Using Micro-PLCs

Designers working on smaller automation systems can now take advantage of advanced yet economical motion control by using micro-PLCs and stepper motors. Conor Perry, Technical Product Manager for the HMI and CLICK product groups at AutomationDirect, wrote an article for the October 2022 issue of Applied Automation. Titled Micro-PLC Motion Control Made Practical, the article…
What are Electrical Actuators?
Motion ControlProduct

What are Electrical Actuators?

Electrical actuators are an efficient and accurate way to automate linear motion on machinery and equipment. Automated machinery and equipment frequently require linear physical movement. Sometimes the mechanisms most move a product-holding tray into position, while other times the movement is for performing a manufacturing function, like drilling, inserting, gluing, or taping parts. The motion…
Simpler Servos Speed Solutions
Motion ControlProduct

Simpler Servos Speed Solutions

Servo systems are a leading way to implement high-performance motion control, and the latest servo drives offer functional, programming, and diagnostics capabilities to help users quickly create and commission solutions. Chip McDaniel, technical marketer at AutomationDirect, wrote an article posted July 2021 on Control Design titled Servo Systems Lead the Way to Implement High-Performance Motion…
How to Control a Stepper Motor
Motion ControlProduct

How to Control a Stepper Motor

Stepper motors use specialized control methods to achieve better precision than standard variable speed motors, while avoiding the expense and complexity of servo systems. For industrial automation, the term motion control usually means using an electric motor to positively drive the position, velocity, and acceleration of a physical system. Pneumatics are economical, and hydraulics can…
White Paper: When to Use Steppers for Motion Control
Motion ControlMotorsProductUncategorized

White Paper: When to Use Steppers for Motion Control

Stepper motors can be the best option, even for precision motion control applications, while avoiding the expense and complexity of servo motors. Standard AC induction and DC motors can only produce basic motion control, and servo motor solutions provide exceptional performance but drive up costs and complexity. For many motion control applications, stepper motor solutions…
Stepper Motors | White Paper
Learning ResourcesMotion ControlProductWhite PapersWhitepapers

Stepper Motors | White Paper

Stepper motors play an important role for motion control applications requiring more precision than standard variable speed motors, but not warranting the expense and complexity of servo motors. For many applications, a stepper motor solution occupies the sweet spot of providing the required performance, but at a much lower cost than servo solutions. This white…
Beam Testing at Portland State
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookAutomationDirect SpotlightDiscrete SensingEducation/DIYIndustryIssue 37 - 2017Learning ResourcesMotion ControlNotebook IssuePLCProductProgrammable ControlStudent SpotlightTest and MeasurementVariable Speed Drives

Beam Testing at Portland State

For their undergraduate senior capstone project, a team of Mechanical Engineering students at Portland State University (PSU) recently designed an electronic system upgrade for the control system of a 100-year-old beam testing machine. Using a range of AutomationDirect parts, the purpose of the project was to make the operator experience comparable to modern machines.
Selecting Motors for Industrial Applications
+Tech TopicsAC Motors and ControlsLearning ResourcesMotion ControlMotorsOnline OnlyProductVariable Speed Drives

Selecting Motors for Industrial Applications

Efficient use of motors is always important, but there are many other things to consider when specifying an electric motor. Mechanical and environmental considerations are on the list, as is the application and operation. All of these factors are important, but the application is where the selection process should start. How to Select a Motor…