Designfax weekly eMagazine

Subscribe Today!

Archives

View Archives

Partners

Manufacturing Center
Product Spotlight

Modern Applications News
Metalworking Ideas For
Today's Job Shops

Tooling and Production
Strategies for large
metalworking plants

Rugged high-accuracy hexapod for industrial 6-axis alignment applications

The H-815 6-Axis Hexapod from PI is a low-profile, ruggedized, highly accurate positioning and alignment system designed for continuous 24/7 operation in demanding industrial motion applications such as camera lens alignment (automotive, cell phones etc.), micro-assembly, aerospace test and assembly, micro-LED production, fiber optic alignment, aerospace test and assembly, and more. It provides 6-DOF -- X, Y, Z, pitch, roll, and yaw -- to deliver exceptional flexibility. Load capacity is 22 lb.
Learn more and get all the specs.

Long-life electric actuators: Improved controllability, performance

Thomson Electrak LL Linear Actuators now offer your machine designs a higher speed option, more electronic control options (including CANopen), and a 48-V option to meet the power requirements in battery-powered applications. Thomson says the new Electrak LL choices are for those who want to gain more control over the position, load, and speed of their applications, such as smart railway pantographs and couplers, AGVs, automated farming robots, movable steps, and access lifts for trains and buses.
Learn more and get the specs.

New high-payload vacuum gripper automatically adjusts to box size

The powerful and robust new VGP30 vacuum gripper from OnRobot is capable of handling up to 30 kg (66 lb) and is designed to excel at palletizing boxes and handling irregular shapes and porous surfaces -- even those constructed from cost-saving, thinner cardboard. It automatically adjusts to any box size or interlayer, optimizing air consumption and reducing energy costs. This unit is ready for immediate deployment out of the box and includes all the hardware and software needed for all leading robot brands. Lots more features.
Learn more.

Go inside the revolutionary GAM GPL Robotic Flange Gearbox

GAM's new GPL Series Robotic Planetary Gearbox combines the lowest backlash (<0.1 arcmin) and high tilting rigidity with vibration-free motion for smooth, controlled path motion in robotics and motion control applications. Its patented design guarantees backlash will not increase over the lifetime of the gearbox, so no future adjustments required! Many more benefits.
View the video.

Revamped Step By Step tool to configure Galil motion controllers

Galil introduces its revamped Step By Step tool for Galil Design Kit. Now with enhanced functionality and a new user interface, this tool allows first-time users to configure Galil motion controllers. Along with the existing ability to configure brushed and brushless servos, users are now able to configure steppers, set up serial-type and sine-cosine encoders, and tune axes -- all within the new Step By Step tool.
Learn more and check it out.

Stepper drives detect stalls in open-loop control mode

Automation-Direct has added the new Titanio series of stepper drives from Ever Motion Solutions. These drives offer peak performance, a rich feature set, and work seamlessly with AutomationDirect SureStep^® stepper motors. Three new drives are available with two open-loop (no encoder feedback) models and one open/closed-loop version (a motor-mounted encoder provides position feedback to the drive). Unlike typical stepper drives, Titanio steppers can detect stalls in open-loop control mode by monitoring the motor's back EMF. This allows system designers to take advantage of stall detection without the hassle and expense of a closed-loop system.
Learn more.

New high-thrust linear motor stage

IKO's LT170H2 direct drive linear motor stage delivers 260N of rated force and up to 500N maximum, exceeding the thrust ratings of previous LT stages and expanding the linear stage series' range of suitable applications -- especially those that involve positioning heavy objects in tight spaces. Its redesigned linear motor leverages direct drive technology that is free of mechanical power transmission parts that can otherwise hinder positioning accuracy. It includes C-Lube linear bearings for guidance. Together, they allow the stage to achieve higher thrust forces and high speeds with exceptional precision.
Learn more.

What is a low-waving linear motion guide?

If you are having a problem with your linear guides not always staying perfectly straight during use, it may be due to a phenomenon called waving -- a problem that is particularly critical in high-precision markets such as semiconductor and LCD equipment-related applications or machine tools. Thankfully, THK has an answer.
Read the full article.

Advanced motion controller for BLDC motors

The PCR 56/06 EC SD from Portescap is an integrated hardware and software package for single-axis control of brushless DC motors. It features a user-friendly Windows-based software suite with autotuning capabilities to reduce setup times. With a power supply of up to 56V and a continuous current capability of 5.5A, along with Hall sensor and encoder feedback options, the PCR 56/06 EC SD meets various application requirements with ease. A standout feature is the module-only option, which allows the controller to be mounted directly onto the application's PCB to facilitate a smooth transition from prototyping to series production. Ideal for the Aerospace, Automation, Industrial Power Tools, Medical, and Robotics markets.
Learn more.

3-axis motion made simple using CLICK PLUS PLC

Automation-Direct CLICK PLUS PLCs, when combined with stepper motors, make advanced motion control and edge integration simple for smaller systems. Learn motion control basics, motor options, motion with micro-PLCs and steppers, and more in this informative whitepaper from AutomationDirect. No registration required.
Get the AutomationDirect whitepaper.

Ultra-lightweight humanoid robotics arms are ultra affordable too

RealMan's ultra-lightweight robotic arms offer unmatched agility, strength, and precision at a surprising price. Designed with cutting-edge materials and advanced motion control, these arms enable lifelike movements, making them ideal for manufacturing, service industries, and even domestic assistance. Among these, GEN72 is a consumer-grade robotic arm with a load capacity of 2 kg priced at just over $1,000. It is suitable for large-scale applications such as personal research and development, and commercial service scenarios. Lots of other options.
Discover what RealMan Robotics has to offer.

Advanced 4-axis delta robot for high-speed pick and place

igus has launched its latest high-performance 4-axis delta robot, the DR1000. Designed specifically for fast and precise pick-and-place tasks, this new unit sets a benchmark for cost-effective and efficient automation solutions. The DR1000 boasts an impressive working diameter of 1,000 mm and an additional rotary axis that provides four degrees of freedom, enabling users to grip and orient components seamlessly. An ideal choice for end-of-line applications. Fast at 96 picks/min.
Learn more.

How to maximize and optimize stepper motor control

Engineers from Performance Motion Devices take a comprehensive look at how to control two-phase stepper motors, beginning with the basics (operations, strengths, and weaknesses) and moving on to traditional and updated advanced techniques for control including closed loop. A very thorough presentation.
Read this Performance Motion Devices article.

Nanotec expands stepper motor line

Nanotec has added the ASA86 to its family of high-performance stepper motors designed to meet the demands of advanced automation applications. All ASA series motors are UL/CSA-certified and offer IP65-rated protection for reliable operation in harsh environments. For precise positioning, they feature a built-in encoder in incremental or multiturn versions. With a holding torque of up to 933 Ncm, the ASA86 is optimized for dynamic, high-load applications. Comes in two lengths and can be combined with various gearboxes.
Learn more.

Electromate offers advanced UAV and drone subsystems in partnership with maxon

Electromate has just announced the availability of advanced UAV and drone subsystems through its partnership with maxon, a renowned Swiss manufacturer of precision drive systems. These durable parts are engineered to meet the specific demands of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). maxon's UAV propulsion systems consist of brushless DC motors, electronic speed controllers, and propellers built for the utmost safety and efficiency.
Learn more.

Machines breathe like fish: Artificial gills for ocean gliders

The first prototype of a new hydrogen fuel cell energy system for underwater gliders extracts oxygen from water to create a reaction that generates electricity. This initial prototype is still too big to fit into an ocean glider, but scientists are continuing to optimize it for size and power. [Photo courtesy of Hereon/Steffen Niemann]

 

 

 

 

Autonomous underwater robots, such as ocean gliders, are essential tools in marine research. Most of these systems are powered by lithium batteries, which come with their own significant drawbacks. To address these shortcomings, scientists at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon in Germany (non-university research institution) have developed a new energy system. With hydrogen as an energy source, it is significantly more sustainable than lithium batteries and enables a greater range for ocean gliders. The unique feature of the new system is that it employs membrane technology that extracts oxygen from seawater -- much like a fish's gills do.

Dr. Lucas Merckelbach and Dr. Prokopios Georgopanos from the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon have developed the alternative energy system. Instead of using batteries, they propose powering gliders with a fuel cell that generates electricity from hydrogen and oxygen. A glider can then be filled up with hydrogen at the deployment site. A container with metal hydrides serves as a safe and efficient storage medium. These hydrides store hydrogen by bonding hydrogen to the metal hydrides at the atomic level. Oxygen, on the other hand, is not stored but extracted directly from seawater.

"Nature is a great source of inspiration for us," says Merckelbach. He works at the Institute of Coastal Ocean Dynamics and uses ocean gliders in his own research.

The concept was developed by Merckelbach after Georgopanos identified an oxygen-permeable silicone. A membrane made from the material functions as an artificial gill when integrated into the glider's hull. Exposed to oxygen-rich seawater on the outside, the membrane enables oxygen to diffuse into an internal recirculating airflow. The fuel cell then extracts oxygen from this airflow, where it reacts with hydrogen to generate electrical energy.

The fuel cell and the circulating air flow are located in a pressurized container. The membrane (light green), which serves as the artificial gill, is located at the interface between the device and the water and allows oxygen to pass through, which enters the circulating air flow and is consumed by the fuel cell. The hydrogen is fed to the fuel cell from a metal hydride container. A passive heat exchanger dries the gas flow sufficiently to prevent condensation of the generated water vapor. [Graphic courtesy of Hereon/Lucas Merckelbach/Prokopios Georgopanos]

 

 

 

 

"This system eliminates the need for onboard oxygen storage. The weight and volume saved can be used for additional hydrogen storage, enabling higher energy density and lower operating costs compared to current battery solutions," says Georgopanos. This would allow the gliders to operate for longer periods. Furthermore, hydrogen is a more sustainable energy source than batteries.

Georgopanos and Merckelbach have already patented their new energy system. In their paper, "A Fuel Cell Power Supply System Equipped with Artificial Gill Membranes for Underwater Applications," they present their first prototype.

The paper was recently published in the journal Advanced Science. Over the coming years, they aim to optimize the system further as part of the MUSE project. Hereon will strengthen its teams at the Institutes of Membrane Research and Hydrogen Technology for this effort. MUSE is a collaborative project with the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) in Bremerhaven, and GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, aiming to advance marine technology and infrastructure.

"This interdisciplinary work combines knowledge from coastal research, membrane research, and hydrogen technology -- a rare combination, but one that exists at Hereon," says Georgopanos.

Source: Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon

Published February 2025

Rate this article