Reference Articles 1 - 93 of 93
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Tech Advances Impact Motion Control
Recent developments in amplifier size reduction and high speed network architectures have made it possible to build the 'holy grail' of motion controllers: the 100% digital network that allows the...(read more)
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Optimizing Method Applied (.pdf)
Consider, for example, specifying the lightest possible three-phase dc-brushless motor for use in a miniature aircraft....(read more)
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Selecting Keyless vs Keyed Connections for Motor to Gear Reducer (.pdf)
Knowing the differences between keyless and keyed-shafted connections is vital in distinguishing the advantages and disadvantages of both types of specifications when choosing a gearbox for your...(read more)
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Energy Savings Using Intelligent Drive Technology (.pdf)
Energy is steadily becoming a rare and cost-sensitive item that can have a significant influence on the manufacturing cost of a machine. This cost factor can be minimized by using modern drive...(read more)
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Combustion Assisted Belt-Cranking of a V-8 Engine at 12-Volts (.pdf)
Implementation of engine turnoff at idle is desirable to gain improvements in vehicle fuel economy. There are a number of alternatives for implementation of the restarting function, including the...(read more)
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Performance, Robustness, and Durability of an Automatic Brake System for Vehicle Adaptive Cruise Control
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) technology is presently emerging in the automotive market as a convenience function intended to reduce driver workload. It allows the host vehicle to maintain a set speed...(read more)
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Energy Efficiency in Gearhead Selection (.pdf)
Energy and cost efficiencies in gearbox and motion systems are a top priority for today's design engineers. Learn the real cost savings of gearbox component selection for system efficiency from...(read more)
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Pump Control with Variable Frequency Drives (.pdf)
While the inefficiency of driving a car with the gas pedal to the floor and then controlling your speed using the brake is obvious to any driver, many facilities use that very same approach for pump...(read more)
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Using Regenerative Converter Units to Recover Over Voltage Energy in AC Drive Systems (.pdf)
Regeneration occurs in an AC variable frequency drive system when the load overhauls the motor. This can occur when trying to decelerate the load, or when some external force causes the motor to...(read more)
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F4D2 Closed Loop Control Technology (.pdf)
Servo-step technology for complete motor control Ever Elettronica uses the proprietary F4D2 (Fast Forward Feed Full Digital Drive) servo-step technology, to regulate the torque, speed and position...(read more)
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Parker - SSD Drives Doubles Productivity and Reduces Energy Costs on Laminating Line (.pdf)
Replacement of inefficient machanical drives with common bus AC890 drives on an existing converting line has yielded a 45% reduction in energy consumption and greatly reduced downtime and setup time....(read more)
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Technology Innovation on AC Servo System for 5-Axes Simultaneous Movements of CNC Machine
Technology innovation on AC servo system for 5-axes simultaneous movements of CNC machine 1 ?Introduction? Summary: The article will introduce the technology innovation of ESTUN ProNet series digital...(read more)
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Encoder vs. Resolver-Based Servo Systems (.pdf)
Motion control requires precise and repeatable indication of where the moving parts of the machine are located. Modern motion control methods provide accurate and quick movement in a machine process,...(read more)
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Architectures for Economical Motion
Over the last 20 years advances in motion-control technology centered around more powerful yet less-costly processors in the form of DSPs and CPUs. In addition, the development of inexpensive power...(read more)
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Improving Motion Positioning With Dual-Loop Control and Scurve
Microscope x-y stages need fast, smooth, and accurate motion for highest performance. In addition, we want to use the most cost effective hardware that can get the job done. What control techniques...(read more)
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Motoring, Positioning Your Way to Success
Selecting the right motor type is an important aspect of optimizing machine performance. Knowing which type of motor to use in a given application will improve the cost and performance, and simplify...(read more)
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The Evolution of Motion Programming Devices
Software development can be the single greatest engineering cost for many machine design projects. This observation is especially true for motion control projects because of the inherent complexity of...(read more)
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Tuning Servomotors
To paraphrase an adage, there are two types of motion control engineers, those that are comfortable tuning a servo loop, and those that aren't. And if you are one of those engineers that aren't...(read more)
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Motor Control Software Examples
Small motors, less than 300 W, are found in a wide variety of applications. These include automobiles, printers, copiers, paper handlers, factory automation, test equipment, robotics, space &...(read more)
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Sensorless Brushless DC Motor Reference Design
This reference design provides a hardware and software solution for Sensorless Brushless dc motors. This document includes complete schematics, printed circuit board layout, and firmware. The...(read more)
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Stepper Motor Reference Design
Stepper motors are used in a wide variety of applications. They are prevalent in consumer office equipment such as printers, plotters, copiers, and scanners. Stepper motors are also used in automotive...(read more)
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Case Study: Mirus Lineator Installation at Natural Gas Sweetening Plant
A natural gas processing and transportation company, located in British Columbia, Canada, had commissioned the installation of 8 Motor Control Centers (MCC's), each exclusively loaded with adjustable...(read more)
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Brushless DC Motor Control Made Easy
This application note discusses the steps of developing several controllers for brushless motors. We cover sensored, sensorless, open loop, and closed loop design. There is even a controller with...(read more)
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Low-Cost DC Motor Speed Control with CMOS ICs
Two low-cost CMOS ICs manage a 12 VDC, current-limited speed control circuit for DC brush motors. The circuit design (see Figure 1) uses PWM (pulse width modulation) to chop the effective input...(read more)
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RC Model Aircraft Motor Control
As modern MOSFET transistors are developed with lower ON resistance and smaller packages, Electronic Speed Controls (ESC) follow. By using a microcontroller and a few small MOSFETs, high performance...(read more)
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Brushless DC Motor Control Using PIC18FXX31 MCUs
A PICDEM™ MC demo board was used to develop, test and debug the motor control code. The PICDEM MC has a single-phase diode bridge rectifier, converting AC input to DC and a power capacitor bank...(read more)
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Determining MOSFET Driver Needs for Motor Drive Applications
Electronic motor control for various types of motors represents one of the main applications for MOSFET drivers today. This application note discusses some of the fundamental concepts needed to obtain...(read more)
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Bidirectional VF Control of Single and 3-Phase Induction Motors Using the PIC16F72
Single-phase induction motors are extensively used in appliances and industrial controls. The Permanent Split Capacitor (PSC) single-phase induction motor is the simplest and most widely used motor...(read more)
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Controlling 3-Phase AC Induction Motors Using the PIC18F4431
Before getting into actual control applications, we should understand what distinguishes the PIC18F4431 from other Microchip devices used for motor control. The core is a set of unique peripherals...(read more)
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Implementing a PID Controller Using a PIC18 MCU
Continuous processes have been controlled by feedback loops since the late 1700's. In 1788, James Watt used a flyball governor on his steam engine to regulate its speed. The Taylor Instrument Company...(read more)
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Speed Error in PWM Fan Control Systems
Brushless DC fan (BDC) speed can be varied using pulse-width modulation (PWM). The typical PWM control scheme inserts a power switch in series with the fan, as shown in Figure 1. In such applications,...(read more)
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An Introduction to AC Induction Motor Control Using the dsPIC30F MCU
This application note demonstrates how you use the dsPIC30F MCU to control an AC Induction Motor (ACIM). The discussion is based on the dsPICDEM MC motor Control Development System, but you can use...(read more)
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Sensored BLDC Motor Control Using dsPIC30F2010
The dsPIC30F2010 is a 28-pin 16-bit MCU specifically designed for embedded motor control applications. AC Induction Motors (ACIM), Brushless DC (BLDC) and DC are some typical motor types for which the...(read more)
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Sensorless BLDC Motor Control Using dsPIC30F2010
This application note describes how to provide Sensorless BLDC motor control with the dsPIC30F2010 Digital Signal Controller. The technique used is based on another Microchip application note: Using...(read more)
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Sinusoidal Control of PMSM Motors with dsPIC30F DSC
This application note describes a method of driving a sensored Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) with sinusoidal currents controlled by a dsPIC30F Digital Signal Controller (DSC). The motor...(read more)
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Using the PIC18F2431 for Sensorless BLDC Motor Control
Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) motors have many advantages over other types of motors available in the industry. Previously, we have discussed the working principles of BLDC motors and the basics of...(read more)
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AN1162 - Sensorless Field Oriented Control (FOC) of an AC Induction Motor (ACIM)
AN1162 Sensorless Field Oriented Control (FOC) of an AC Induction Motor (ACIM) operate at a speed that is roughly proportional to the Author: Mihai Cheles input frequency. As you decrease the...(read more)
- Analog Solutions for Automotive Applications Design Guide
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Sensorless BLDC Control with Back-EMF Filtering
This application note describes a sensorless brushless DC (BLDC) motor control algorithm, implemented using the dsPIC® digital signal controller (DSC). The algorithm works by digitally filtering...(read more)
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Sensorless BLDC Control with Back-EMF Filtering Using a Majority Function
AN1160 Sensorless BLDC Control with Back-EMF Filtering Using a Majority Function SENSORED CONTROL VERSUS Author: Daniel Torres Microchip Technology Inc. SENSORLESS CONTROL The BLDC motor is used for...(read more)
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Sensorless Field Oriented Control of PMSM Motors using dsPIC30F or dsPIC33F Digital Signal Controllers
AN1078 Sensorless Field Oriented Control of PMSM Motors This application note focuses on the PMSM-based sen- Author: Jorge Zambada sorless FOC control of appliances because this control Microchip...(read more)
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Stepper Motor Control Using the PIC16F684
AN906 Stepper Motor Control Using the PIC16F684 MICROSTEPPING Author: Reston Condit Microchip Technology Inc. Single stepping, or turning a stepping motor at its rated step size, results in less than...(read more)
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Using the dsPIC30F & dsPIC33F DSCs for Sensorless BLDC Control
AN901 Using the dsPIC30F for Sensorless BLDC Control Known Limitations Author: Charlie Elliott Smart Power Solutions, LLP As delivered, the maximum output frequency at Co-author: Steve Bowling which...(read more)
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Application of Pick-and-Hold Modules
Geeplus's Pick & Hold Modules are designed to work with a wide range of different solenoids, and over a wide range of operating voltage. We recommend the use of a high source voltage to minimise...(read more)
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EMC Installation Guidelines for Motor Drives
Theses guidelines cover the basic points to be considered when installing a motor drive, this is in order to achieve minimum Radio Frequency Interference (achieving Electromagnetic Compatibility,...(read more)
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Motor Drives in Industrial Applications
Amendment A11 to the EMC product standard EN61800-3 for variable speed electrical power drives brought about a large number of changes and more precise definitions as compared to the standard...(read more)
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Open Standards in Motion Control & Industrial Automation
When a long-time company in the motion control industry makes a deliberate decision to turn away from its proprietary systems and move to open standards, there has to be a good reason behind the...(read more)
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Activated Roller Belt Switch Fact Sheet
A "soft start" is a manner in which a motor will develop torque gradually, as compared to a standard on/off system that applies full motor torque immediately. A Variable Frequency Drive can be an...(read more)
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Component-life Theory Comes Down to Earth
A fundamental question engineers face when designing a motion system is determining how long it will last. Movement in linear-motion systems (LMS) creates stresses between rolling elements and their...(read more)
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Eccentric Loading Shouldn't Mean Shorter Life
The life of components in linear-motion systems (LMS) was discussed in the December 13th issue of Machine Design. The systems represented in that article were assumed to be centrally loaded. While...(read more)
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Save with the Right Distributed Motion Control
In today's automation applications, it seems there's no room for dumb machines and there's plenty of space for intelligent choices. A case in point is distributed motion control, in which intelligence...(read more)
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Mathematics of Electronic Motor Control
In the last ten years several trends have been at work to drive the use of sophisticated, complex motor control algorithms. The most important trend is the desire for lower energy consumption and the...(read more)
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Motion Performance Trace
Machine designers have a difficult task. More often than not they are asked to squeeze the maximum possible performance out of a machine design for the lowest possible cost. To accomplish this task,...(read more)
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Motoring to Success
When most engineers think about selecting a motor for their latest design, the highest level of excitement that can be expected is a heartfelt yawn. Motion control, which is tied to manufacturing...(read more)
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Intelligent Handling of I/O using Galil's RIO Controller
Galil has introduced a new version of its RIO smart I/O controller which provides higher range and resolution of the analog inputs and outputs. The new RIO-47120 provides 8 analog inputs and 8 analog...(read more)
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Simplifying Motor-Control Feedback Loops (epn)
To control speed, angle... With more than 15 billion electrical motors installed around the globe, it is not a surprise that some people conclude that it's motors that make the world go round, not...(read more)
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Applications of SmartFan Technology
Benefits of using SmartFan include acoustical noise reduction, environmental (humidity, temperature or pressure) regulation, greater product reliability, increased fan life, improved safety and energy...(read more)
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Automatic Inductive Guidance System for Forklifts uses CANopen
STW, as a premier manufacturer of mobile electronics and measurement technologies for off highway and on-highway vehicles, developed a new "state of the art" inductive guidance system for...(read more)
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ADwin-Based System Tests Six Switches in Parallel
Multi-axis motion control systems are used extensively for positioning in manufacturing. These systems often rely on feedback from position sensors to maintain closed-loop control for improved...(read more)
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Dual Servo Reducers Eliminate Axis Backlash on Traveling Gantry
A gantry mill manufacturer wanted to improve the positioning accuracy of their existing rack & pinion drive. The backlash at the rack & pinion caused inaccuracies while cutting material....(read more)
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Helical Rack Speeds Part Removal on Injection Molding Robot
A pick & place robot manufacturer needed an axis drive solution for the Injection Molding industry to reduce their part removal time, thereby increasing the throughput of the injection molding...(read more)
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Integrated Rack Simplifies Machine Design on Waterjet Machine
A manufacturer of waterjet cutting machines needed a axis drive solution for a new traveling gantry machine. They wanted to reduce the amount of machining needed for a typical rack & pinion drive,...(read more)
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Split-Pinion Ensures Precise Positioning on Material Feed Axis
A punch press manufacturer needed to precisely position a sheet of metal in order to accurately punch parts. The material feed axis had to have high repeatability and no lost motion....(read more)
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Lin Engineering: Is Your Step Motor and Driver Contributing to the Inaccuracy of Your System?
When it comes to precision in the motion control industry, there are many important factors that contribute to inaccurate steps. As a total system, engineers must become knowledgeable of their step...(read more)
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Lin Engineering: Pole Damping Technology
When it comes to precision in the motion control industry, there are many important factors that contribute to inaccurate steps. As a total system, engineers must become knowledgeable of their step...(read more)
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DC Micromotors Pack A Powerful Punch
Today, mobile robots are often deployed in critical situations that are simply too dangerous for humans to handle - as part of industrial operations, law enforcement or anti-terror measures, e.g. to...(read more)
- Motion Control Handbook
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New Approach for High-Performance Motion Controls
Closed loop control of hydraulic or electric systems offers an excellent means of achieving precision movement with big loads and high forces. However, hydraulic servo drives in particular have a lot...(read more)
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Driven to Excel: Switched Reluctance Motor (SRM) Drives
Switched reluctance motors (SRMs) have attracted considerable attention in industry over the past few years. Their unique capabilities (e.g., robustness, ease to closed loop control, low-cost...(read more)
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High-Efficiency Operation of an Hybrid Electric Vehicle Starter/Generator Over Road Profiles
Efficient operation of induction motor starter/alternator systems is an important part of the power-management function that is required in the self-contained vehicular environment. However, the...(read more)
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Basics of PCD Series: Pulse Control LSIs
This document is intended for customers who will use our LSIs specifically to control motors for the first time. It explains operations in terms of the simplest NPM LSIs, the "PCD series." A PCD...(read more)
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Basics of PCL Series: Pulse Control LSIs
PCL-240 family In this family, each command is allocated a specific bit. Basically, this is a simple family that has only four modes: start mode, control mode, register select mode, and an output mode...(read more)
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Basics of Servomotor Control
This report explains the difference between a servomotor and a stepper motor when connected to a servo driver. It covers the terms used in controlling the pulse train supplied to servomotors by a PCL...(read more)
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What are PCL Series LSIs?
The PCL series chips are LSIs that can control servomotors and stepper motors by receiving control instructions (commands) from a CPU interface. Using operation data, numeric values for each...(read more)
- Application Note: Common Causes for Stepper Drive Failures
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Application Note: Preventing Motor Drift After an E-stop Condition
Recommendations: This problem occurs due to the DC Bus Capacitor within the drive or amplifier holding the bus voltage after power is no longer applied. It still could take several seconds for the...(read more)
- Application Note: Understanding Torque Ripple
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Drives@Work
Adjustable Speed Drives are used in any application in which there is mechanical equipment powered by motors; the drives provide extremely precise electrical motor control, so that motor speeds can be...(read more)
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Reducing Adjustable Frequency Drive (AFD)-caused Harmonics at Partial Loads
The need for controlling the level of harmonic current in power distribution systems is widely recognized as an important factor in selecting and applying adjustable speed drives and other non-linear...(read more)
- Fan Controller Technologies and Motor Efficiency
- Integrating Fan Control with Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture (ATCA)
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Manual Tuning Methods for Servo Systems
Tuning the controller seems to be a difficult task to some users; however, after getting familiar with the theories and tricks behind it, one might find the tuning procedure simple and fun. This...(read more)
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Tuning Servo Systems
This paper is an abstract for the "Tuning Servo Systems" on-line tutorial. The complete tutorial with audio can be viewed at http://www.galilmc.com/training/webconf.html This course presents some...(read more)
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Microstepping Performance
Microstepping is a method for controlling stepper motors. It offers improved performance by providing finer position steps, reduced vibration, and smoother motion. However, microstepping has...(read more)
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Servo Amplifier Tutorial
The "Servo Amplifier" on-line tutorial reviews the operation of servo amplifiers used to drive DC and brushless motors. The complete tutorial with audio can be viewed at...(read more)
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Application Example For MSK4310 Speed Controller
The MSK4310 3 Phase DC Brushless Speed Controller hybrid is a complete closed loop velocity mode controller for driving a brushless motor. It requires no external velocity feedback devices for...(read more)
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The Proper Kind Of DC Brushless Motor Controller
When making a DC brushless motor controller choice, there are several issues that have to be addressed so that the proper device is selected for a system. If the application is a simple fan or blower,...(read more)
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Fundamentals of Servo Motion Control
The fundamental concepts of servo motion control have not changed significantly in the last 50 years. The basic reasons for using servo systems in contrast to open loop systems include the need to...(read more)
- Motion Controller FAQs
- Speed Controls, Synchronizing Controls, Servo Motor Amplifiers, Motion Controls
- Torque Control vs. Speed Control
- Mechanical Torque Limiters Still Make Sense
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Understanding Drives
Stepper motors require some external electrical components in order to run. These components typically include a power supply, logic sequencer, switching components and a clock pulse source to...(read more)
