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Beginning with this initial installment , and with the gracious permission of ABB/Baldor Electric, we are
pleased to announce the beginning of a new series -- Baldor Basics: Motors. This is a collection of basicsdriven,
motor-intensive articles authored by former Baldor engineer Edward Cowern, PE, a respected
name by many in the electric motor industry. During his tenure at Baldor, Cowern - now enjoying his
retirement - was tasked with producing a number of motor- and basics-related tutorials, primarily in
response to a steady flow of customer questions regarding motors. Today's customers continue to ask
questions and seek answers to address their various motor-related issues. As with Cowern's original
introduction to the series, we hope you find these articles useful and would appreciate any comments or
thoughts you might have for future improvements, corrections or topics.
If you’re an electrical engineer
you know how an electric motor works; if
you aren’t, it can be extremely
confusing. Therefore, here’s the simplified explanation (or the “how
an electric motor works for dummies” version) of how a four-pole, three-phase
AC induction motor works in a car.
When the need arises for linear motion
or positioning, there are many choices.
One can use an Acme screw, ball screw,
rack & pinion, or belts. The cost of a linear motor solution is generally greater than a mechanical linear product, but when one needs highly accurate, repeatable, high-speed motion, then the answer may be a linear motor.
It's no secret that conveyor systems are the primary market for gearmotors, and so it shouldn't be much of a surprise that gearmotor manufacturers are looking for ways to cater to that market's needs. From Brother's new VFDs to Siemens' Simotics S-1FG1, a lot of the new solutions in the industry have their own unique quirks, but all fall into a few common veins.
Here’s what we know about Tremont, Illinois: It’s a small village in Tazewell County, (population 2,400+), holds an annual summer turkey festival
(quite popular) and the courthouse is a famous historic site where politician James Shields challenged an “up-and-coming” lawyer named Abraham Lincoln to a duel with cavalry broad swords (they showed up, but the duel never materialized). In 2016, you can add FIRST Robotics Competition World Champion to the village’s rather eccentric list of accomplishments.
Increasing pressure on many fronts is compelling mine operators to thoroughly examine every phase of their operations. Fluctuating demand
that whipsaws mineral prices, government-imposed environmental regulations and rising operating costs related to maintenance downtime all pose serious challenges for the mining sector. Add pressure from customers and stakeholders for more sustainable operations as well as union demands for higher wages, and you have a scenario that requires mine operators to exercise every possible option to
achieve more efficient operations.