A Guide to Choosing the Right Motion Control Components
Published on : Monday 30-10-2023
Discover the fundamentals of choosing the right motion control components with our comprehensive guide in order to make the best decisions for your precision automation needs.
Image by Freepik
With rapid and significant advances in technology and software, choosing from among a plethora of components and technologies has been a tedious task. The same goes for motion control technology and its components. Businesses looking to automate their industrial processes must harness the right components of motion control systems to accomplish more accurate and sophisticated results. If you are the one who is thinking of harnessing the right motion control components, we got you covered.
We will let you explore and understand different components of a motion control system and a few tips to choose the right one from among various components. So, let us get started.
Motion controller, as the name suggests, is the brain of the system, controlling movement. The controller sends a command signal to the motor drive or the amplifier in digital or analogue form. The motor operates and converts electrical energy into motion energy. This technology plays a key role in robotic control, machining tools, semiconductor manufacturing, injection molding machines, and electronics inspection machines.
There are two different types of motion control technology – open-loop and closed-loop systems. The significant difference between these two is that open-loop systems do not use feedback, whereas closed-loop systems use feedback. In open-loop systems, the stepper, or step or stepper motor, is used. On the other hand, in closed-loop, the DC brush type or brushless motor with a feedback device is used.
Components of motion control systems
Motion control systems consist of components such as controllers, motors, drives, and feedback devices.
Controllers are the crucial part, or can say brains, of motion control systems. They produce and measure the commands that guide a machine’s function. They can adjust the commands to match the required system outputs.
Drives transmit the required current and voltage to the rest of the motion control system. This means they relay information to the motor from the motion controller. Digital, analog, linear, switching, stepper, and servo drives are the six different categories of drives. Each drive possesses a distinct purpose and capability. Digital drives, for instance, have the processing power, but analog drives do not. Applications requiring low power use linear drives, while those requiring high power use switching drives.
The heart of motion control systems are motors. They create the torque required to move to the desired position by converting electrical energy into mechanical energy. Motion control systems use a variety of motor types; they are all either AC or DC motors. In comparison to DC motors, AC motors are more flexible. They have less power line disruptions, controlled acceleration, and an adjustable torque limit. They also have an adjustable torque limit, controlled acceleration, and fewer power line disturbances. DC motors, on the other hand, are more basic and easy to use.
Feedback devices provide motion controllers with feedback so that they can adjust and produce the required output. It is important to understand that systems that are closed-loop contain feedback devices. The most widely used feedback devices are encoders, which give the motion controller data on position, velocity, and direction.
Factors to consider
The performance of the machine or automated system is primarily determined by the choice of motion control components. Thus, choosing the right component in accordance with the system architecture is essential. Since vendors all over the world sell a variety of motion control components, there are a few things you should take into account.
Identify system requirements – Knowing the needs of the system is the first step towards selecting motion control components. The process of choosing compatible components becomes simpler when the system conditions are established.
Collaboration with a motion control specialist supplier – Select a top supplier or manufacturer of motion control components. Research their track record, customer reviews, and customer support services. Doing this can provide you with guidance and information on possible parts that might be hard to locate elsewhere.
Determine if a customised solution is required – More performance and dependability are provided by specially designed motion control components for extremely complicated or unique applications.
Load and Force Requirements – Calculate the loads and forces that the motion control system must be able to manage. It is necessary to choose parts like motors, actuators, and bearings to support these loads.
Environmental Conditions – Think about the operating environment that the components will be in. This covers exposure to pollutants, humidity, and temperature. Select parts that are appropriate for the intended use in that operating environment.
Budget Restrictions – This is one of the factors to be considered when choosing the right motion control components. Make sure your budget is well-defined. The cost of motion control components varies, so be sure to weigh costs and performance.
Integration and Compatibility – In choosing the right motion control components, integration and compatibility play a crucial role. You must determine whether the parts work with the controls and equipment you currently have. Software or communication protocols should be compatible, and integration should be smooth.
Regulatory Compliance – This is a crucial factor to be considered while choosing the right motion control components. You should make sure the components you have chosen meet any industry-specific regulations or standards that may apply to your application.
Applications of motion control systems
appropriate components. Image by vectorjuice on Freepik
Motion control systems find a wide range of applications across various industries thanks to their ability to precisely control the movement of machinery and equipment. Here are some detailed applications:
Manufacturing and Robotics – Motion control systems are utilised in automated assembly lines and industrial robots in the manufacturing sector. These systems enable robots to precisely carry out tasks like welding, painting, and pick-and-place work.
Medical Devices and Surgery – Motion control is essential to surgery and medical equipment. These systems, for example, are used by surgical robots to precisely execute minimally invasive procedures, while minimising surgical invasiveness and expediting the healing process for patients.
Aerospace and Flight Simulation – Motion control is used in aerospace applications to simulate the forces and movements encountered during real flight in flight simulators. It is necessary for the design of aircraft, pilot training, and aviation system testing. Motion control systems in simulations guarantee safety and realism.
Agriculture and Farming Equipment – Autonomous agricultural machinery utilises motion control technology. GPS-guided motion control is used by tractors and harvesters to achieve accurate planting, harvesting, and field maintenance.
Final thought
Any motion control system's success depends critically on choosing the appropriate motion control components. Selecting from the growing array of motion control components can be made easier for designers by taking the system as a whole and all of its requirements into account.
With rapid technological advancements, Industrial Automation believes it is critical to stay up to date with the latest advancements in motion control technology and select the right motion control components that can unlock new possibilities for automation, precision, and efficiency, contributing to the success of your projects and the competitiveness of your business.
References
https://www.contec.com/support/basic-knowledge/daq-control/motion-control/#anc-01
https://ai.motion.com/motion-control-components-the-basics/
https://www.globalspec.com/learnmore/motion_controls/controls_drives/integrated_motion_control_systems
