Did You Know?

Hold on! No, it’s not an 80’s song. We receive calls on a frequent basis about applications requiring a holding brake. Typically in vertical applications, where the position of the load cannot be maintained when power is turned off, a spring-applied-power-off brake can be used to maintain the position of the load. Our NEMA 17, 23 and 34 frame stepping motors allow easy installation of NEMA frame size, modular, front-mounted brakes from Inertia Dynamics or Electroid.

Our ST5 and ST10, STAC5, STAC6 and STM stepper drives with Q programming are well suited for labeling applications. A product sensor can be tied to one of the digital inputs, triggering a WI (Wait Input) command when the product nears the labeling position. To prevent wrinkling or tearing, the label must be applied at the same speed the product is traveling on the conveyer.

Did you know that Applied Motion Products’ STAC6-Q AC-powered Advanced Microstep Drive w/ Q Programming and Encoder Input provides the capability to solve encoder following with registration control applications? If your application requirement is 1 HP (750W) or below, requiring high torque at low speed and rotary speeds less than 2000 RPM, consider Applied Motion Products’ STAC6-Q stepper drive.

Applied Motion Products has a long history of making products that are simultaneously powerful and easy to use. While this remains a priority for us, the sheer number of variables can seem a bit daunting to a newcomer. Let’s take a step back and examine the different options.

Readers who have used our ST, STM or STAC stepper drives are probably familiar with our ST Configurator™ set up software. Many of you have also used Q Programmer™ for constructing and testing stored Q programs, and a few of you have probably updated your drive’s firmware to access the latest features.

There are some applications using Q Programmer™ that require the operator to make a slight “trim” adjustment to a move parameter. An HMI can be used to do this but a simpler approach, using the drive’s analog input, is often easier and less expensive. The example program below shows trim capability built into an application. An STM24QF integrated stepper is used in this example but all Q drives have an analog input so all can use this approach.

Using a joystick to control the speed and position of a motor is an intuitive solution in many applications. Joystick operation is available with many Applied Motion drives, both stepper and servo.

With the advent of the EtherNet/IP line of products, drives from Applied Motion Products can now communicate with the world’s leading PLC vendors using the most popular native communication protocol: EtherNet/IP. With its unparalleled power and flexibility, EtherNet/IP has captured a huge part of the industrial marketplace. Unfortunately, configuration and use of EtherNet/IP devices has historically been a difficult and mysterious process for many users.

When your application calls for a closed loop servo system you must take into consideration the requirements for tuning. For many systems the load inertia is the primary factor in setting the tuning parameters. Embedded in our Quick Tuner™ software are tuning files for all recommended motor-drive combinations. When choosing a motor file you will have the option of using a predetermined inertia load as indicated by a suffix in the file name.

Applied Motion offers a range of high performance, true planetary gearheads that complement our offering of step motors, integrated steppers and servo motors. These gearheads offer high torque output, high efficiency and high shaft loading capacity.