McLennan Releases Miniature B138F Gearmotor

McLennan Servo Supplies has brought out a low-cost miniature brushed DC gearmotor from its Italian distribution partner Micro-Motors. The B138F features a durable spur gearbox in a 34mm-diameter moulded-plastic housing with three-point mounting built-in for straightforward installation. A wide range of standard reduction ratios is available, from 12.25:1 to 1470.82:1, with maximum output torque from 1.5 to 50Ncm.

It is just 37.5mm long. The sturdy gearmotor boasts a 20N radial-shaft loading with axial shaft load to 5N. Steel-housed gearbox versions are also available for increased application durability. Available in a choice of 6 or 12V DC and with VDR interference suppression included, the motor includes precious metal brushes and flying leads for flexible installation.

Alternative windings for application-optimised performance are also available. McLennan has an active stock programme for popular ratios and voltage ratings across the range and provides a custom-design service to build the B138F into complete mechatronic solutions complete with drives, motion controls and custom-designed mechanics.

KTR Develops Coupling For Measurement And Control

KTR's Countex Coupling is a three-part, backlash-free, torsionally stiff coupling used mainly in measuring and control technology, such as encoders and tachometers. The compact design of the coupling is characterised by its simple assembly, reliable performance and suitability for use in confined spaces. The double cardanic design allows the coupling to compensate for all potential misalignments with minimal restoring forces.

The axial 'plug-in' of the coupling ensures an easy blind assembly. The coupling has aluminium crown-shaped hubs on the outside diameter, with a toothed cage made from temperature-resistant nylon. Set screws secure the hubs against axial movement. Countex can be used in temperatures of up to 160C. The first Countex Coupling available was a size 14 with rated torques of 1Nm and maximum bore diameter of 14mm.

KTR has now extended the range to include the smaller size 6 Countex Coupling with a rated torque of 0.3Nm and maximum bore diameter of 6mm. The coupling is available from stock at KTR with a range of bore sizes.

Westermo Enhances Wolverine Line-Extruder Range

Westermo Data Communications has expanded and improved its Wolverine range of industrial Ethernet line extenders with the addition of the DDW-225 and an enhanced version of the existing DDW-120. These rugged industrial products form part of Westermo's range of Ethernet SHDSL extenders that are used to establish reliable long-distance, high-speed remote connections between simple and complex Ethernet networks using any existing twisted pair copper cables. The DDW-225 line extender includes the WeOS system, which is already employed in Westermo's Redfox industrial routing switches.

WeOS is said to provide advanced switching and routing functionality that enable the management of complex industrial networks. The enhanced DDW-120 is aimed at simple point-to-point applications, or as a start or termination unit, together with any of the DDW-220/221/222/225 products, in daisy-chain applications. The latest version of the extender enables data transmission rates as high as 15.3Mbit/s in both directions, and transmission distances of over 10km, depending on cable quality. This increased data transmission rate will help the ever-increasing demands for bandwidth from applications such as transmitting high-definition video from remote sites.

The DDW-225 supports two SHDSL interfaces and has a built-in four-port managed Ethernet switch, enabling users to build complete Ethernet networks with daisy chains and ring topologies. Suitable for use in harsh industrial environments, the device offers a data transfer rate of 5.7Mbit/s in both directions, and transmission distances of up to 15km. This makes it useful for applications such as railway trackside, tunnels, highways, harbours, power stations and extended industrial plants. The DDW-225 also includes Westermo's FRNT (fast recovery of network topology) technology - claimed to be the fastest protocol on the market to reconfigure a network in the event of any failure of a link or hardware, which provides support for redundant rings.

The DDW-225 can also support multiple rings, with a FRNT ring running from the SHDSL interface and a RSTP ring from the switch port. Device functionality, including VLAN, Static Routing, Layer 3 switching, IGMP Snooping Firewall, SNMP V3 and VPN support, all help improve bandwidth support and network security. The DDW-120 is designed to be transparent for multicast addressing, is suitable for VLAN networks, allows VPN (Virtual Private Network) pass-through for IPSec (Internet Protocol Security) and can be used with protocols like Modbus/TCP and Profinet I/O. The DDW-120 is said to be simple to install, with no software configuration required.

When long or poor cabling is used, the settings can be adjusted via DIP-switches for optimised performance. The unit is also supplied with an advanced diagnostic utility that allows the installer to analyse the quality of the line and the connection status. As with other products in the Wolverine series, both models are suitable for tough industrial environments. The rugged units can operate in a wide temperature range and total galvanic isolation and transient protection are standard for all interfaces. The line interface is also equipped with extensive protection against over-voltages and transients.

HSTA And HSTAR Sensors Resist Heat And Vibration

Macro Sensors' HSTA and HSTAR LVDT-based linear-position sensors offer the environmental resistance and short-stroke sensor body length for cylinder applications where these are critical. While linear-position sensors were once considered too long for hydraulic applications, the development of new winding techniques, such as computerised layer winding and improved microprocessing, has considerably reduced the length of the linear-position sensor body compared with its measurable stroke length. In fact, for short-stroke actuators and cylinders (less than 6in), Macro Sensors' linear-position sensors can be much shorter than a magnetostrictive sensor.

These linear-position sensors are hermetically sealed and AC-operated. They measure 3/4in (19mm) diameter and can survive in temperatures up to 200C and withstand high levels of shock and vibration. Coil windings are sealed against hostile environments to IEC standard IP-68. They are offered with either an axial (HSTA) or radial (HSTAR) connector - units can have a through bore for the fluid to pass or can seal the fluid in the RAM. The radial connector makes the installed length of the HSTAR LVDTs at least 2in shorter than comparable units, with an axially mounted connector for easier installation in tight spaces.

Accessible from both ends, the linear-position sensors can be easily cleaned of grit, dirt, dust or other contaminants for greater reliability and longer life. Available in ranges of +/-0.050in (+/-1.25mm) to +/-10.0in (+/-250mm), the HSTA and HSTAR sensors feature the high resolution, excellent repeatability and low hysteresis associated with LVDT (linear variable differential transformer) technology, as well as the highest sensitivity consistent with good linearity. The maximum linearity error for any of these sensors is +/-0.25 per cent of full-range output using a statistically best-fit straight line derived by the least squares method.

Macro Sensors offers custom designs for higher temperatures and pressure resistance, smaller diameters and connector options. HSTA and HSTAR Series LVDTs operate properly with any conventional differential input LVDT signal conditioner. Ranges of 1in or greater will also work with ratiometric LVDT signal conditioning. Macro Sensors offers a full line of LVDT signal conditioners that deliver optimum performance from any HSTA and HSTAR linear-position sensor.

KINO-QM57A Controls 1080p Digital-Signage Player

IEI's KINO-QM57A Mini-ITX CPU board includes the socket G CPU socket for Intel Core i7 and i5 processors and the Mobile Intel QM57 Express chipset with Intel Active Management Technology 6.0. The KINO-QM57A is suitable for high-resolution digital signage, surveillance security monitoring and public infotainment applications. The KINO-QM-57 is based on the 32nm Intel Corei7/i5 processor and supports two DDR III SO-DIMM memory modules up to 4GB.

The Mobile Intel QM57 Express chipset allows the playback and transmission of high-quality video. The chipset includes embedded Gbit Ethernet capabilities. The KINO-QM57A has an integrated graphics engine to support up to 1080p HD video playback and the on-board Intel 82577LM GbE LAN controller offers high-speed network-transmission rates. The display output interfaces include two HDMI ports, a VGA port and 18/24-bit dual-channel LVDS option.

The onboard graphics can support two grouped video signals on two sets of displays, or the same signal broadcast over all four outputs. The IEI KINO-QM57A is good for public-surveillance security applications. The Intel 82577LM GbE LAN controller supports Intel Active Management Technology 6.0 and enables remote control and monitoring functions over the network. The KINO-QM57A has a variety of I/O interfaces, including: a VGA port, an LVDS connector, two HDMI ports, two Gbit Ethernet ports, an SPIDF pin header, four RS-232 serial ports, eight USB 2.0s, six SATA II connectors, three SATA power connectors powering two SATA drives each, an external 12V DC power input and an internal 2x2-pin power connector, and a PCIe Mini card extension and a PCIe x16 interface.

The PCIe x16 is suitable for graphics and I/O use. The IEI KINO-QM57A is a powerful platform for digital signage and surveillance-security applications.

Festo Actuators Offer +/-10 Micron Repeatability

Festo has brought out an extensive range of ultra-compact precision electric actuators that can be ordered from its online shop. This means that machine designers and builders can now take delivery of positioning actuators offering +/-10 micron repeatability within 24 hours of placing their order. Downloadable PC-based software for dimensioning electromechanical linear axes and electric motors, backed by native CAD models of the actuators, helps users accelerate design-in and machine build. Festo's new EGSK and EGSP series actuators provide exceptionally accurate positioning capabilities.

Featuring a one-piece solid-steel housing that also serves as a guide rail - conveying a high degree of rigidity to the design - they are ideal for applications demanding short and precise moves, especially where space is limited. Their low profile makes them particularly suitable for the type of small pick-and-place systems and X-Y tables used in the semiconductor manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries. The EGSK and EGSP electric actuators offer a choice of three classes of precision, with repetition accuracies of +/-3, +/-5 or +/-10 microns.

They are available in two performance categories, to help maximise applications flexibility. The EGSK range of standard-performance electric actuators comprises five models, with profile heights from 15 - 46mm. All five models employ a ball-screw drive, with a choice of pitches, and offer a wide variety of stroke lengths - from 25 to 800mm, depending upon the particular model. The +/-10 micron precision class versions of all EGSK actuators, which are suitable for the majority of applications and are therefore likely to prove the most popular, are available off-the-shelf from Festo.

The EGSP range of high-performance electric actuators use caged re-circulating ball bearings between the carriage and the guide, to further reduce friction and noise. There are four models in the range - with profile heights of 20, 26, 33 and 46mm - and again, each model is available with a choice of ball-screw drive pitches and a variety of stroke lengths, ranging from 25 to 800mm. The two largest-size actuators also employ caged ball-bearing chains in the ball-screw drive assembly, to ensure smooth, trouble-free operation under heavy load conditions.

All Festo EGSK and EGSP electric actuators feature four rows of ball bearings circulating within the loaded area of the moving carriage to maximise rigidity and help ensure a long service life. The ball bearings run between the honed grooves of the carriage and the linear guide until they are returned by means of the reversers in the end plates and the recirculation channels. The four rows of balls are arranged at a contact angle of 45 degrees, which means the guide carriage has the same basic load ratings in both radial coordinate directions; the actuator can therefore be used in any mounting position and can accommodate a wide range of load conditions.

EGSK and EGSP electric actuators are fully compatible with Festo's range of stepper and servo motors and controllers, and can also be used with third-party motors. Festo produces a comprehensive range of motor mounting flanges and couplings, as well as actuator-mounting plates and axial mounting kits. The company also offers optional cover kits for these actuators, plus a sensor rail kit that enables inductive position sensors to be attached to the left or right side of the actuator body. Festo has also developed a powerful PC-based software tool to help machine designers and other potential users make the best use of electric-drive technology such as the EGSK actuators.

This positioning drive software enables users to choose the optimum components for a complete, high-efficiency positioning system, and can be downloaded free of charge from the electric-drive technology page at Festo's website. Once a few application details have been entered, the software automatically calculates the ideal combination of electric linear axes, motors, gear units, controllers and software, from a widely coordinated product range. By specifying various project parameters, users can also obtain the load-characteristic values for the selected drive, quickly and reliably.

Modified PTFE Can Be Processed As A Thermoplastic

A structurally modified PTFE can now be processed as a thermoplastic. This gives designers a new range of freedom and enables hitherto impossible applications for this fluoropolymer.At the same time, part production is more efficient. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a high-performance material with a range of properties that have made it particularly suitable for challenging applications. By modifying the polymer, it has become possible to obtain a product, the newly developed Moldflon, that can be processed by thermoplastic techniques.

This material opens up further applications due to the freedom offered by thermoplastic shaping. It can overcome the conventional disadvantages of PTFE processing methods, particularly high material waste as a result of machining and poor surface quality. Due to the thermoplastic process ability of Moldflon, PTFE parts can be produced in a single operation. With traditional PTFE, at least three steps - pressing, sintering and machining - were necessary. The possibility of overmoulding individual parts that is now available can simplify product design.

Lean manufacturing replaces the previous complicated multicomponent solutions. For manufacturing PTFE coverings, processors have so far had two methods available. In isostatic pressing, the insert is embedded in the PTFE raw-material powder, which is then sintered. The surface usually only has to be finished by machining to meet the tight tolerance specifications. It is difficult to achieve smooth surfaces and challenging contours. Another way of producing the PTFE skin consists in prefabricating the individual parts from PTFE. Then the insert part is embedded in further shaping steps, or the PTFE components are welded to form the end shell contour.

Because Moldflon can be processed as a thermoplastic, the inserts can now be overmolded, greatly shortening the process chain. This results in a huge savings potential, particularly for large-scale production. Typical parts that are difficult to produce by conventional PTFE processes include joint capsules of ball-and-socket joints. Generating this outer skin from Moldflon not only requires a great deal of experience with the material behaviour, but also detailed technical knowledge about the production technology. Since Moldflon has a melting point of about 320C, melt temperatures of 360C and mould temperatures of about 260C are necessary.

The parts to be overmoulded must consequently pass through a pre-heating station before they are transferred to the cavity. If required, retaining the centring pins can be used to reduce the part tolerances. To prevent the plastic melt solidifying prematurely in the region of the pins, they are heated together with the surrounding components. During the injection, the pins are retracted, requiring special mould equipment. For top part quality, it is essential to coordinate all the relevant process parameters, from injection to demoulding. The sliding layers in the ball joints undergo steady, as well as intermittent, compressive loading during use and, in cars and trucks, they also experience high temperatures in the region of the drive components.

Fluctuating pressures and temperatures both require the material to have high compression resistance, but it should not have relaxation properties. This property combination is essential to minimise play during use. Frictional loads require the capsule material to have a low coefficient of friction and high abrasion resistance. The possibility of dry running during continuous operations reduces the maintenance outlay and system costs. What must be the composition of a material that can optimally meet these requirements? The structure of this semi-crystalline material is composed of lamellar crystallites and the amorphous zones between them. To achieve good mechanical strength of the material, the crystallites must be joined by sufficient numbers of tie molecules.

The tie molecules are anchored in various lamellae and tied together. The main difference from standard PTFE is that the lamellae in Moldflon are about a factor of 10 smaller than in conventional PTFE. As a result, comparatively small molecular chains can act as tie molecules. Short molecular chains in turn reduce the viscosity of the polymer melt, which is the prerequisite for thermoplastic processing. It is therefore possible to process Moldflon by the traditional methods used for thermoplastic, such as injection moulding, extrusion or transfer moulding.

Even melt spinning can be used to produce very thin fibres with an extremely smooth surface. The close-meshed crosslinking of the very small crystallites make the material extremely compression resistant compared to conventional PTFE and it therefore features low cold flow. Because of the molecular displacement within the crystalline regions, it can act as a dry lubricant similar to graphite, molybdenum disulfide or PTFE micropowders. This is the guarantee for the low-friction coefficient and the consequent low abrasion of this material. At normal processing temperatures, Moldflon has a corrosive effect on steel.

All the melt-contacting parts should therefore be made of corrosion-resistant metals. The screw and cylinder are made of materials such as Hastelloy C4 and Inconel 625, which are familiar for processing PFA (perfluoroalkoxy polymer) and FEP (fluorinated ethylene-propylene). The moulds and dies are made from nickel, nickel alloys and specially coated tool steels. Large runners are used because of the melt's shear sensitivity. For small injection moldings, the weight for the cold-runner system is often larger than the weight of the parts. Due to Moldflon's good recyclability, the sprue scrap can be easily returned to the product stream.

PTFE's properties combined with the possibility of thermoplastic processing open up a variety of new applications, which it has not been possible to cover in this way before. Although the product is still in the launch phase, a range of new system solutions are already emerging. The possibility of producing a large number of compounds additionally extends the range of the natural material. The possibility can be illustrated with reference to automotive applications. Moldflon components are primarily accessible via extrusion and injection moulding.

However, secondary processing methods such as blow moulding or thermoforming, as well as automatic machining of simple extruded profiles, are used here. The combination of traditional properties of PTFE - with the new process techniques of this material, such as injection moulding, transfer moulding and extrusion, but also thermoforming, blow molding or melt spinning - will allow completely new products to be produced economically on a large scale. It will also be easier to produce compounds based in Moldflon. This will allow the applications of this material to be expanded significantly beyond the existing limits of fluoropolymers.

Piezo Linear Motors Provide 20mm Travel Ranges

PI has introduced the N-216 Nexline high-load piezo linear motors - ultra-precision nanopositioning actuators that provide travel ranges to 20mm and push/pull forces to 600N (130lb). The operating principle is based on coordinated motion of a number of highly preloaded linear and shear piezo elements acting on a ceramic runner. Nexline Piezowalk drives can be used in ultra-precision manufacturing and semiconductor test equipment to astronomy and high-energy physics applications.

Their reliability makes them suitable for applications in difficult-to-access internals of instruments, where nanometer-realm adjustment and/or vibration cancellation are required. To promote long lifetime, the Piezowalk controller can reduce the operating voltage on the piezo elements to zero at any position without affecting the full holding force (up to 800N, 177lbs). The piezoceramic clamping and shear elements act directly on a moving runner coupled to the load.

For maximum velocity and long-distance movements, the runner can be driven in full step mode. Extremely uniform motion and constant velocity is achieved with the nanostepping mode. Combining long travel ranges with piezo-class precision, Nexline Piezowalk drives offer a high-dynamics analogue operation mode over smaller distances. Open- and closed-loop operation N-216 linear motors come in two versions for open- or closed-loop operation, as well as in two different load configurations.

Closed-loop versions are equipped with a linear encoder for direct position measurement of the moving runner. The encoder features 5nm resolution over the full travel range. In open-loop operation a positioning resolution to 30 picometers can be realised by use of the analogue operation mode.

Objet Geometries To Exhibit Connex350 3D Printer

Objet Geometries will showcase its latest 3D printer, the Connex350, at two customer events in France in March. Illustrating the benefits of high-performance rapid-prototyping technology, the 'A vitesse grand V' events will be hosted at Le Mans 24-hour circuit (9 March) and Actua GT Driving (11 March) in Lyon. The Connex350 maintains the Connex range's ability to produce 3D models by simultaneously printing multiple materials with different mechanical and physical properties.

Widely established through the Connex500, the Polyjet Matrix Technology enables two polymers to be printed as separate entities or mixed during printing. In this way it can simulate overmoulding or create different material characteristics such as variable shore hardness materials, due to Digital Materials. The Connex350 offers these capabilities at a lower investment, through its build volume of 350 x 350 x 200mm, while delivering the same performance as its larger counterpart.

The 'A vitesse grand V' events will introduce the features of the Connex350 through product demonstrations, technical explanations and case studies from customers on their experience of the base technology. There will be opportunities to discuss prototyping challenges with the Objet technical team and engineers, as well as explore other products from the Objet range.

Angle Locking Bracket Allows Profile Fastening

Principally for providing incremental angular adjustment, the Angle Locking Bracket allows the profile to be fastened together at any angle in 2.5deg increments. The bracket would typically be used in pairs on large shelves on track-side equipment and parts trolleys, and is designed to be very easy in operation for the user.

When the knurled locking screw is released, spring pressure lifts the toothed disc away from its mating half, allowing easy rotation. Re-tightening of the screw can be done by hand to re-engage the teeth. The unit will then resist very high rotative moments (up to 200Nm).

The Angle Locking Brackets come complete with all the fastenings needed to secure them to item profiles and are available from Machine Building Systems.

Solidworks 3D Mouse Enhances Navigation

3D Connexion has announced 3D mouse capabilities for Solidworks, designed to bring increased navigation intelligence to the design process. With this feature, 3D Connexion 3D mice can automatically follow a designer's point of interest and continuously determine the optimal centre of rotation, enabling an easier and more intuitive exploration of the largest models and the smallest details.

In addition, the centre of rotation can now be seen at all times via an icon. 3D Connexion will be demonstrating the feature at Solidworks World in Anaheim from 31 January to 3 February, 2010. When using the new update, two modes of setting the centre of rotation are available.

The Auto Rotation Centre sets the centre of rotation to a point on the model that is nearest to the display-screen centre, particularly useful for use at higher zoom levels. For additional control, users can easily pick a new centre of rotation point on the 3D model to suit the design task.

The feature will be available in late February via a free 3Dxware software update and will support Solidworks 2005-2010 on Windows XP, Vista and 7 across the entire product line. The 3D Connexion product line includes the Professional Series with the Space Pilot Pro, Space Pilot and Space Explorer, and the Standard Series with the Space Navigator and Space Navigator for Notebooks.

Enersys Battery Bank Optimises Warehouse Space

Co-operative Food Retail Logistics called on Enersys to optimise the warehouse space at its distribution centre in County Durham by minimising the area required for charging warehouse-truck batteries. The solution was to build a three-tier battery bank - with potential to go even higher - served by an electric-powered changing cart. Over 90 per cent of the 2,000+ batteries used across the company's 19 warehouses are Hawker Evolution units. With a gelled electrolyte, Hawker Evolution offers a number of maintenance-free benefits because its sealed units require no topping up and there is no risk of spillage.

An efficient valve-regulated re-combination technology reduces gas emissions to an absolute minimum, which makes Evolution suitable for busy food-distribution operations. The best way of minimising the charge-area footprint was to create a bank of multiple tiers to accommodate the batteries on charge. Enersys devised a new version of the BBH with fully electric capability to remove any potential restrictions. Co-operative Food Retail Logistics was keen to build redundancy into the system to ensure it could maintain continuous warehouse-truck operations. The solution incorporated two identical banks, each with space for 42 batteries, arranged back to back with their own BBH.

This means that one of the systems can be taken offline for maintenance, while the other continues to supply charged batteries. An added advantage of this layout is that the central aisle running between the two banks allows engineers to check, monitor and maintain the chargers without entering truck-operating areas. This promotes safety and ensures essential maintenance work can continue without disrupting normal warehouse operations. The Pro-Series BBH is a semi-automated electric-powered change cart that runs on concealed rails alongside the row of chargers. When a change is required, the truck approaches the changing area and the driver disconnects its battery.

The trained member of staff dedicated to the battery area then takes over and completes change. A powerful extending electro-magnet on the BBH extracts the battery from the truck onto its onboard roller bed and then pushes it into place for charging. The device can be raised to handle batteries on the second and third levels in the charging banks. Co-operative Food Retail Logistics uses Enersys' Powertech HF chargers, said to offer energy efficiency as much as 20 per cent higher than 50Hz chargers. The chargers automatically detect the battery's level of discharge and will supply only the amount of power needed - and no more - to restore full charge.

This means less mains power is required to charge a battery and the energy costs per charge are considerably reduced, leading to significant savings in electricity costs. With the Evolution battery these savings can be as much as 30 per cent. To ensure maximum efficiency and performance from the power sources, all operations are overseen by the advanced Enersys Battery Management System. The 'intelligent' diagnostic software in the chargers transmits data via the system's PC to a large display screen installed in the battery changing area. The display clearly indicates the order in which batteries for each type of truck should be retrieved, ensuring that only fully charged units are taken.

There is no need to source two spare batteries for each truck because the balanced charging ensures that the equivalent of one spare is enough. The management system operates in conjunction with the remote monitoring and diagnostic Powernet service from Enersys. At any time, managers from Enersys can connect to the management system from their own sites and download a range of battery-related information. This allows them to analyse and assess overall performance and prepare reports for Cooperative Food Retail Logistics. Metrics available include battery status, batteries used, amps available, amps used, power usage, depth of discharge, charger faults by type and recent alarms. Engineers can also isolate individual batteries and carry out diagnostic tasks to identify specific problems.

Information can then be relayed to the warehouse's team of onsite engineers to help them carry out pre-emptive preventative maintenance. In addition to the battery systems, many other aspects of the site have been devised with sustainability in mind: the lighting automatically adjusts to match external conditions with reduced overall energy consumption; a seven-stage rainwater collection and filtration system provides water for use in staff toilets and vehicle washing;and packaging is returned to the site from stores for recycling in a state-of-the-art combined shredder and baler.

Couplings For Individual Encoder Applications

Controlflex from Schmidt-Kupplung is designed for the requirements of shaft encoders. This encoder coupling compensates all kinds of misalignment with very low restoring forces and in a remarkably small envelope. The coupling is electrically insulating, builds short and always works with constant angular velocity.

The coupling manufacture also realises individual systems and encoder-coupling solutions optimised for specific applications. These include, for example, shaft-encoder applications with positive locking and fail-safe for stage technology, with customer-specific hubs for expanding or hollow shafts or with greater misalignment requirements.

Phantom V710 Video Camera Delivers 1,400,000fps

Vision Research has claimed its Phantom v710 provides the fastest image acquisition available in a CMOS high-speed digital video camera. The Phantom v710 delivers 1,400,000 frames per second (fps). Increasing to a higher resolution allows the camera to capture at 7,530fps (1280 x 800). Phantom v710 features remote/automatic black referencing, versatile dual HD-SDI outputs, a component viewfinder port, high-speed synchronisation, range data input and Phantom Cinemag support. The custom-designed CMOS 1280 x 800 sensor provides an aspect ratio that is 25 per cent wider than conventional square cameras and allows the cinematographer to keep moving targets in-frame longer and see more of the event.

The v710's wide-aspect ratio can also capture 1280 x 720 with a one-megapixel camera. he v710 provides 7,500fps at full megapixel resolution. Decreasing the frame rates allows higher frame rates, up to 1,400,000fps. Its unsurpassed sensitivity is possible with an active pixel size of 20 microns and improved quantum efficiency. Even using Phantom's sub-microsecond shuttering, the user can obtain the highest sensitivity with the lowest noise possible. Phantom's optional sub-microsecond shuttering eliminates blur, which vastly improves image clarity. Sub-microsecond shuttering is programmable in 18ns increments, down to 300 nanoseconds.

The v710 supports 8- and 12-bit pixel depth. Smaller bit-depth provides more recording time and smaller files, while greater bit-depth results in more grey levels and finer details. The Extreme Dynamic Range (EDR) feature allows two different exposures within a single frame. Combining these two exposures results in a single very high dynamic-range image. Changing lighting conditions are catered to by the v710's auto exposure. The Phantom v710 has an internal shutter that automatically shades the sensor when performing a current session referencing.

The camera can therefore be used remotely and the CSR performed far more regularly, ensuring the highest quality images in changing conditions. The v710's high-resolution timing system yields a timing resolution of better than 20ns. The trigger signal can be an external TTL pulse (hardware produced), contact closure or open, or via command (software produced). The continuous recording feature can be used to capture automatically, trigger, edit and save image data into any fixed, removable or networked drive accessible from the Phantom camera's control unit.

The camera will then return to recording mode and wait for the next trigger signal, without the need for operator intervention. The combination of 8GB high-speed dynamic RAM (16 or 32GB optional) and segmented memory allows the division of memory into 64 segments, meaning that multiple shots can be taken back-to-back without needing to download from the camera. Alternatively, recording can be made directly to the Phantom Cinemag. Cinemag is a compact, non-volatile, hot-swappable memory magazine that fits snuggly on the camera and is an optional accessory. Vision Research's engineers designed the Cinemag module to fit neatly onto the Phantom range of cameras.

Within the module, cines can be shifted quickly or recorded directly, eliminating the need to download. Not only does the portable Cinemag change workflow, it also protects cines from volatile memory loss. Once saved in the Cinemag, data is secure and the next shot/experiment can be taken almost immediately. The Phantom Cinemag also enables long record times for events that would normally exhaust built-in memory and is available in three sizes: 128, 256 and 512GB. In combination with a Cinestation, a Cinemag can be clipped off the camera, loaded to the Cinestation and while cines are downloaded from the Cinestation at 10GB Ethernet speeds, a second Cinemag can be clipped to the camera to continue shooting.

Baldor Helps To Make Crane Training More Realistic

A three-axis motion platform based on Baldor Electric's Ethernet-compatible drives is increasing the realism of crane training by moving a replica operator cabin in synchronism with computer images. The specialist machine manufacturer Electropneumatics and Hydraulics developed the motion platform for the leading training solutions and services supplier Applied Research International (ARI). Based in New Delhi, India ARI produces a comprehensive range of simulators for marine and allied applications.

Its products include a variety of offshore, quay side and gantry crane-simulators to provide safe, cost-effective operational training for container movement and bulk-handling operations. ARI's simulators emulate the visual, behavioural and operational characteristics of their real-world counterparts to create a fully immersive environment in which the trainee can gain true hands-on experience. A typical crane simulator comprises a modular PC-based control system, a replica operator cabin and seat, a high-fidelity audio-visual system and an instructor station equipped with CCTV for monitoring the actions of the trainee.

When ARI decided to add an optional motion platform to its line of crane simulators, it approached Electropneumatics and Hydraulics for assistance. Electropneumatics and Hydraulics makes metalforming equipment, such as hydraulic presses and tube-bending machines, and also designs and builds special-purpose machinery including different levels of automation with total indigenous content and capability. Electropneumatics and Hydraulics based the motion platform for the crane simulator on Baldor's Powerlink- and Ethernet-compatible drives and servomotors.

'Baldor's Microflex e100 AC servo drives are very cost-effective for this type of application because they can be controlled via TCP/IP direct from the simulator's host PC, without the need for additional hardware,' according to the company's technical director, Ashley Rasquinha. The three-axis motion platform provides X, Y and Z movement of the replica operator cabin, synchronised to the computer-generated images being presented to the trainee. Since it is designed to accurately emulate the movement of a real-life gantry crane, the platform's drive axes are only required to handle relatively simple motion-control tasks such as point-to-point moves and homing sequences and do not require interpolation.

As a consequence, the Microflex e100 servo drives can be used in their basic Ethernet mode, without any additional complexity of real-time control. Each axis is driven by a Baldor BSM three-phase servomotor equipped with an incremental encoder for position and velocity feedback, controlled by a dedicated Microflex e100 servo drive. All three drives are housed in a separate floor-standing control cabinet and are connected via a D-Link 10/100Mbps Ethernet switch to the simulator's host PC. Ashley Rasquinha also said that Baldor's ActiveX development tools for its Mint motion-control language helped to minimise programming effort.

'The tools hide the complexity of Ethernet messages and provide a simple interface to all the Mint programming commands and functions; in conjunction with the excellent libraries of routines that Baldor provides, these made it very easy for us to create and validate all the motion-control sequences,' he added.