Latest Motor Drive Units Articles

Previously, we described how to use the new Arduino PLC IDE to control discrete devices. This tutorial will describe how…

Previously, we described how to use the new Arduino PLC IDE to control discrete devices. This tutorial will describe how to connect various peripheral equipment (VFD and robot) using analog inputs and outputs.

Many control product manufacturers offer these downloadable ‘EDS files’ for peripheral equipment, but what exactly is…

Many control product manufacturers offer these downloadable ‘EDS files’ for peripheral equipment, but what exactly is an EDS, and how can they aid in the development of a project?

We know that servo motors are found inside machines that rely on precise motion with feedback to verify proper operation,…

We know that servo motors are found inside machines that rely on precise motion with feedback to verify proper operation, but how do they work, and what makes them different from any other kind of motor?

Coil, field winding, rotor, stator, eddy current… When it comes to motors, there are numerous terms that describe the…

Coil, field winding, rotor, stator, eddy current… When it comes to motors, there are numerous terms that describe the theory of operation, but what is inside a 3-phase motor? Take a look, and learn how they work.

Variable frequency drive units can be found inside tons of control cabinets, but what happens if you disassemble one to…

Variable frequency drive units can be found inside tons of control cabinets, but what happens if you disassemble one to see what’s inside and how it works? We did just that. The results might surprise you.

With precise control abilities to manage speed, torque, and direction, variable frequency drives remain one of the most…

With precise control abilities to manage speed, torque, and direction, variable frequency drives remain one of the most common methods of driving 3-phase industrial motors. Below, we introduce a few leading VFD manufacturers.

Increasing motor speed is critical in many situations, but it also poses serious risks in both electrical and mechanical…

Increasing motor speed is critical in many situations, but it also poses serious risks in both electrical and mechanical performance if not driven properly. Enter Rockwell Automation’s new PowerFlex 6000T.

Programming languages often include sine and cosine functions. They simplify programming, but consume valuable memory…

Programming languages often include sine and cosine functions. They simplify programming, but consume valuable memory space and computation time. This can be overcome using simple approximations.

Explore the design of a servo pick and place sample case using B&R Automation Studio, from the project creation to the…

Explore the design of a servo pick and place sample case using B&R Automation Studio, from the project creation to the configuration of the controller, drives, and motion axes. 

Our Control Automation engineering staff got the chance to visit a commercial farm in North Dakota and learn the hardware…

Our Control Automation engineering staff got the chance to visit a commercial farm in North Dakota and learn the hardware and software making these huge automated tractors ready for high-tech ‘field’ work.

Two common methods exist for driving induction motors with VFDs - linear scalar control, which is often labeled as V/f,…

Two common methods exist for driving induction motors with VFDs - linear scalar control, which is often labeled as V/f, and vector, or field-oriented control, which can be a bit more complex to understand.

Motors drive all sorts of processes in a facility. Depending on the application, which motor starter is best suited for…

Motors drive all sorts of processes in a facility. Depending on the application, which motor starter is best suited for your needs?

Different conveyance systems have different ways to calculate speed. Let’s dive into these systems, their speed, and…

Different conveyance systems have different ways to calculate speed. Let’s dive into these systems, their speed, and some determining factors.

When the conveyor belt goes down, what do you do? Follow a few of these preventive maintenance strategies to help get…

When the conveyor belt goes down, what do you do? Follow a few of these preventive maintenance strategies to help get production back on track.

Who created the first conveyor system, what are some common types of conveyor systems used in industrial automation, and…

Who created the first conveyor system, what are some common types of conveyor systems used in industrial automation, and what are the types of controls involved?

Learn about the numerous libraries, toolkits, and interfaces to achieve motor and motion control using LabVIEW.

Learn about the numerous libraries, toolkits, and interfaces to achieve motor and motion control using LabVIEW.

Learn about specific components used in feedback devices and some of the jargon you may encounter when working with servo…

Learn about specific components used in feedback devices and some of the jargon you may encounter when working with servo motion systems.

Learn about the different types of electrical and mechanical soft-start methods as well as devices to use for each method.

Learn about the different types of electrical and mechanical soft-start methods as well as devices to use for each method.

Variable frequency drives (VFDs) can output simulated waveforms of nearly any frequency. However, in order to be truly…

Variable frequency drives (VFDs) can output simulated waveforms of nearly any frequency. However, in order to be truly useful, harmonics and resonance in the system must be avoided and frequency parameters should be put in place.