Latest Motors Technical Articles

Categories

An Introduction to Types of Closed-loop Motor Control

An Introduction to Types of Closed-loop Motor Control

Closed-loop motor control is a control system used to regulate the output of a motor. Learn about the four common types of closed-loop motor control systems to understand each one’s inner-workings and applications.


Electronic Datasheet (EDS) Files: Why do We Use Them?

Electronic Datasheet (EDS) Files: Why do We Use Them?

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?


Teardown: What’s Inside a DC Servo Motor?

Teardown: What’s Inside a DC Servo Motor?

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?


Teardown: What’s Inside a 3-Phase Induction Motor?

Teardown: What’s Inside a 3-Phase Induction Motor?

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.


Servo Motor vs Stepper Motor: Understanding the Differences

Servo Motor vs Stepper Motor: Understanding the Differences

When accurate positioning and speed control is needed, most engineers turn to servo motors or stepper motors, but what is the difference between the two, and which is the right choice?


Teardown: What’s Inside a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD)?

Teardown: What’s Inside a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD)?

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.


Know Your Phase: How and When to Use a Motor and Phase Rotation Tester

Know Your Phase: How and When to Use a Motor and Phase Rotation Tester

Connecting a new motor without knowing the phase rotation of the electrical supply can cause damage to expensive equipment. By using a 3-phase rotation meter, you can save yourself time and money.


What You Need to Know: Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)

What You Need to Know: Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)

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.


Understanding and Using Safe Torque Off (STO) for Motion Systems

Understanding and Using Safe Torque Off (STO) for Motion Systems

Safety is one of the most critical aspects of machine design. Today, with network connections between different machines and control centers, safety signals must be shared logically and reliably across networks.


End of Arm Tooling: Power Sources and Sensors

End of Arm Tooling: Power Sources and Sensors

An EOAT, located at the end of an industrial or collaborative robot arm, is entirely customizable with nearly unlimited possibilities. Learn about the five main methods of how EOATs are powered and the sensors that they use.


3-phase Motor Types: Synchronous and Induction Motors

3-phase Motor Types: Synchronous and Induction Motors

In this article, we will take a look at the differences between synchronous and induction motors, as well as the two types of induction motors: squirrel cage and wound rotor.


B&R Industrial Automation Hardware and Software

B&R Industrial Automation Hardware and Software

B&R is a control system manufacturer less heard of than some of its bigger competitors, Rockwell and Siemens, however their PLCs, lineup of motors, and product offerings with Automation Studio make B&R a leader in industrial innovation.


Preventing Failures in High-Temperature Manufacturing Processes

Preventing Failures in High-Temperature Manufacturing Processes

Any machine can become a source of elevated temperature, even under regular operation. We cannot assume that temperature problems occur only based on climate conditions, and mitigation steps must be employed.


Active Power, Reactive Power, Apparent Power, and the Role of Power Factor

Active Power, Reactive Power, Apparent Power, and the Role of Power Factor

The diverse power terms in electrical generation systems include active, reactive, and apparent power, all of which lead to the introduction of ‘power factor’ effectiveness in an AC circuit.


Automation Issues and Energy Usage in Environmental Extremes

Automation Issues and Energy Usage in Environmental Extremes

As summer heat continues to scorch the northern hemisphere, manufacturers face potential equipment damage and downtime. Learn about the ways extreme heat can damage automated equipment and systems. 


CTRL F3: Factory Explosion Field Study

CTRL F3: Factory Explosion Field Study

The CTRL F3 series reviews field studies and failures in the field focused on control fails, fixes, and facts. This article covers an explosion at an industrial sawmill.


Predictive Maintenance: Defect Analysis Using Electrical Current

Predictive Maintenance: Defect Analysis Using Electrical Current

Electrical signal analysis has come to the forefront of predictive maintenance, helping to reduce downtime in industrial manufacturing by remotely identifying problems with electric motors and generators.


Variable Frequency Drives: Managing Network Outage Responses

Variable Frequency Drives: Managing Network Outage Responses

Even with the most reliable networks, network outages are inevitable for a host of reasons, and managing these outages in VFD systems becomes critically important.


Comparing Mechanical vs Hydraulic Forces

Comparing Mechanical vs Hydraulic Forces

In honor of May the 4th, Star Wars Day, we compare the sources and applications of the two most common force-delivery systems - mechanical and hydraulic.


Up Close and Personal With Automated Ag Equipment

Up Close and Personal With Automated Ag Equipment

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.