Posted to News on 31st Mar 2007, 18:35
Webcasts cover motion control theory and applications
Aerotech is launching two new webcasts covering inertia matching for high-load systems and an application for high-speed laser welding of fuel cells.
The Design News E2E Webcast features a subject heading of Inertia Ratio Analysis for Coupled and Direct-Drive Systems, addressing the implications on system performance for large inertial mismatches and how stiffness in combination with inertia dictates the resonant mode of a motion system. Dispelling the myth that a matched load and motor inertia of up to 10:1 is the ideal scenario, Ron Rekowski MSEE, Aerotech's Laser and Medical Systems Group Director, explains how systems should be analysed as a number of spring elements rather than a single inertial load. The tutorial explains how Aerotech's own A3200 Automation Platform features a loop transmission analysis tool to analyse and calculate motion system resonance and provide filters that can dynamically improve performance for load-to-inertia mismatches of up to 30:1.
The complete presentation was originally broadcast as a live interactive seminar and is now available on-demand using the link: [Sorry, this presentation is no longer available, but try the Aerotech website www.aerotech.com for more information - Ed].
Laser welding application
The second Webcast offers a fascinating insight into the development of laser welding systems for fuel cell components, typically made up of several layers of thin, stainless steel plates of 0.1-0.5 mm thickness. Each plate is welded using continuous fibre-laser technology that delivers 600W of power in a 9um beam with target welding speeds up to 50m/minute. Using brushless and cog-free direct-drive linear motor-based positioning systems to achieve the high speeds and precision demanded by this challenging application, a typical fuel cell contains up to 400 plates, each requiring around 1m of extremely high quality welding. The total future demand is estimated to be in excess of 400million metres of weld per year - all this at aerospace quality but with automotive industry pricing.
Presented by Stan Ream, Fuel Cell Team Leader of The Edison Welding Institute, in conjunction with Industrial Laser Solutions magazine, it includes a detailed technical and commercial perspective of this exciting technology that is shaping energy usage for the future generations. Follow this link to see the presentation: [Sorry, this presentation is no longer available, but try the Aerotech website www.aerotech.com for more information - Ed].
Aerotech says it is leading the field in terms of using webcasting as a means of interactive training for motion systems and now has a full suite of training modules available for its A3200 Digital Automation Platform. Designed for up to 32 axes of high-speed, high-precision motion and machine control, this software-based system runs on a standard PC and combines Firewire-interfaced servo drives, each independently processing position velocity and current loops at closure rates of up to 20kHz with optional modules for HMI, PLC and vision control. The fully deterministic system is programmable in a choice of languages including Aerotech's own AEROBasic, RS274 G-code, C, C++, VisualBasic, Delphi and Labview. The new training modules offer customers up to 10 hours of training from the comfort of their own offices without the need for expensive and time-consuming travel.
For details of forthcoming webcasts and for information on all aspects motion systems theory and applications, users can subscribe to Aerotech's monthly In-Motion e-newsletter via the Aerotech website.
