The integration of a fail-safe motion control system, multi-axis drive control and powerful communication interfaces and technology I/Os in one device saves valuable control cabinet space and facilitates the implementation of particularly challenging machine concepts extremely efficiently – including modularisation and optimum scalability.

Earlier this year LG Motion delivered a six-axis vacuum-compatible precision motion system to AWE Aldermaston which is being used to determine properties of X-ray diffraction crystals prior to installation into X-ray sensitive diagnostics for fielding on laser plasma experiments.

Paul Streatfield, from Bosch Rexroth, examines a potential solution to particulate contamination on PCB production lines that combines linear drives and magnetic levitation.

Arne Linder, product manager at KOLLMORGEN, looks at the benefits and barriers to the use of centralised and decentralised servo technologies.

The Thule Group, an outdoor and sport retail company, has selected Moog to supply a second hydraulic simulation table for its test lab in Hillerstorp, south Sweden.

Based on ABB's Ethernet Powerlink compatible motion control range, two UK-based plastic bag machine support specialists have co-operated to launch a machine offering new levels of programmability and bag production flexibility.

The Industrial Group of Moog has recently delivered a fuel tank test system to the Fiat Group Automobiles (FGA), designed to perform dynamic functional tests on automotive fuel tanks, with the ability to simulate real-world road conditions.

B&R is expanding its range of drives with a series of motor-integrated servo drives with IP65 protection.

AC drives manufacturer Vacon is to deliver liquid-cooled AC drives with a total power of 2.7 MW for active heave-compensated winches onboard a Norwegian-built Inspection, Maintenance and Repair (IMR) ship. The delivery will take place in March 2012.

To both efficiently and cost-effectively handle the increasing complexity of automation, more users now expect a complete and consistent automation system, together with advanced engineering tools and support from their automation suppliers.

More than two thirds of the total energy spend for industrial automation is consumed by electric drive technology and that an individual electric motor’s energy consumption makes up about 98% of its total cost of ownership over its average life.

The incredibly thin new servo controller from Beckhoff - measuring just 12mm wide - was displayed at SPS/IPS/Drives. The EL7201 servo terminal, for the Beckhoff EtherCAT Terminal system, integrates a complete servo drive for motors up to 200 W into a standard I/O terminal housing.

Following renewed risk assessments that led to an updated machine safety design concept for a servo-driven film wrapping machine, BVM Brunner now has the flexibility to meet a variety of customer requirements while ensuring the safety of machine operators.

Aerotech has released an updated edition of its popular Linear Motors Application Guide including a new section on applying linear motors as components in servo positioning systems.

A real-time Ethernet motion control system has helped Advanced Coating Robotics (ACR) to create a new conformal coating machine that combines exceptional three-dimensional spraying accuracy with high throughput.

A compact, integrated motion control subsystem for automation applications has been introduced by Festo, to offer machine builders a flexible way of providing programmable rotary and linear movement. Said to be suitable for parts handling and positioning applications, the EHMB module incorporates an interesting decoupled design which enables the rotary and lifting movements to be controlled completely independently, enabling fast and accurate positioning.

For the perfect Yorkshire pudding you need exactly the right amount of batter, not too much or too little. Western Mechanical Handling (WMH) UK has developed a system to produce perfect results every time.