The capabilities of servos are advancing at an accelerating pace, driving the rapid growth of next-level motion control systems. These devices can enable innovative industrial automation applications and processes thanks to cutting-edge hardware, software and, most importantly, communications technologies that support data-intensive operations.

The DMC-3x01x Motion Controller Series is Galil's latest generation single-axis motion controller. It uses a 32-bit RISC processor to provide higher speed than older models.  Like all Galil controllers, programming the DMC-3x01x is simplified with two-letter, intuitive commands and a full set of software tools for servo tuning and analysis. 

Jake Schieffer is taking on a new role within Beckhoff USA as vice president of sales. This promotion results from Schieffer’s significant successes as regional director – Midwest. In the newly created national position, he will continue to promote business alignment throughout the sales organization and accelerate growth across the U.S. Based at the Beckhoff USA headquarters office in the Minneapolis area, Schieffer reports to President Kevin Barker. After Schieffer’s promotion, Steve Boelte was selected to fill the position of regional director – Midwest.

The following article looks at the latest news on servo motors, drives and motors. How do we differentiate between the definitions? What can design engineers find between a stepper and a servo motor? Also, a quick update this summer on the benefits of closed-loop motor control. 

A quick search of the patents issued, as well as a review of recent articles, shows a wide range of what authors call “servo stepper motors,” “closed-loop step motors,” “hybrid servo motors” and the like. Although the names may sound similar, the performance can vary quite substantially. Most of the “closed-loop stepper motors” are not actually servo motors! 

Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc. has introduced Economy Solutions, packaged servo and motion bundles that allow for high precision motion control in a way that is quick and affordable to integrate.

Effective April 1, 2022, Dr. Fritz Faulhaber GmbH integrates subsidiary PDT Präzisionsdrehteile GmbH from Nürtingen and thereby welcomes 34 new specialists to the Schönaich location. Thanks to this strategically planned step, Faulhaber can, with a machining center of its own, respond more quickly to individual requests and expands competencies in the area of machining production.

NSK Ltd. has developed a new technology that significantly extends ball screw life in high-load drive applications. Products with this technology are expected to be adopted by industrial machinery makers shifting to electric designs. Through this and other technologies, NSK continues to contribute to electrification and productivity increases industrial machinery.