Free Calculation Service for motion control engineers.

Inertias:
    For linear motor systems, mass is computed. Otherwise, rotational inertias are computed for all pertinent components. We compute primary inertias, reflected inertias for all components buffered by a gearbox or lead screw, and load-to-rotor inertia ratio.

Friction:
    All three types of friction are considered:
          Dragging - Dependent on load and incline
          Rubbing - Not dependent on load or incline
          Internal - Torque measured at the motor shaft

Lead screw limits:
     Critical speed, above which the screw will whip
     Maximum force the screw can drive without buckling
     Error caused by the combination of lead error and nut rotation error
     Error caused by plastic deformation of the nut and screw

Total error:
     Error due to inaccuracies in either a linear scale or rotary encoder
     Backlash caused by: lead screw nut, gears, belt in a tangential drive
     Belt compliance in a tangential drive

Limits:
We compute the limits imposed by the components you select, then compute the performance safety margins to those limits. Limiting factors considered are:

Torque limits imposed by amplifier current, motor and gearbox specifications, and lead screw maximum thrust.
Speed limits imposed by amplifier voltage, motor and gearbox specifications, and lead screw critical speed.
Dynamic limits caused by back EMF effects on voltage and current.

Profile characteristics:
Acceleration, slew speed, and deceleration characteristics are provided including times and distances for travel during each leg of the trajectory.

Torque (or force):
We provide average and instantaneous values at all relevant points in the profile. We include detail on how much torque must be applied to overcome the individual and combined effects of the following:

Acceleration, Deceleration, Friction, Spring force, Counterweight, Incline, Unidirectional force

Power and temperature rise:
    We compute average and instantaneous power usage for both motor and amplifier. If you have a dwell time in your duty cycle, we compute the power results both with and without the dwell so that you can optimize your design. Motor and amplifier efficiencies are included along with the temperature rise inside the motor.

Lifetime:
    For gearboxes and lead screws you select, we compute the life expectancy under the profile you specify.

Solutions for counterweight and spring compensation:
    A counterweight offers a simple and popular way to compensate for gravity in inclined applications, but it slows the system down and limits acceleration. Spring compensation overcomes these problems if your travel distance is short. However, the addition of a spring makes the calculations extremely complex. We make it simple.

	We created mathematical models of all the relevant mechanical and electrical components for virtually all motion applications. Based upon these models and your motion requirements we will compute all the parameters you need to build your system. Our software is proprietary. No one else has it, and no one else can do what we do with the same accuracy, speed. and completeness.
We perform this service for free because we are in the motion business, and hope you will buy from us. However, our service to you will be the same whether you intend to buy from us or from our competitors. We believe that building relationships eventually pays off. This service is available only to businesses located in northern California and western Nevada, USA.

WE CAN STEP IN AT ANY STAGE OF YOUR PROJECT If you are just starting a new project and don’t even know what type of motor or drive system you will be using we will help you along the way with each step of your design. If you are at the end of your design, you can use our service as a "second opinion" to catch any illusive design glitches that could bite you later. We can also help troubleshoot problems with existing systems. If, on the other hand, all you want to do is to solve for a single torque or size a motor for a simple continuous-velocity application, we will help.	We don’t ask you for a lot of data if it isn’t necessary. You provide only the information needed to get the answers you want. Lead Screw Drive
Our service can be particularly useful if you have a very complex positioning application. For example you may have a counterweight or spring compensation, and operating on an incline. Or, you may need to know the answers to some difficult questions such as: How long can I expect my gearbox and lead screw to last? MECHANICAL CONFIGURATIONS Your application will almost certainly be describable by one of these models. Sometimes the connection isn’t obvious. For example, turning a camera on a tripod is an example of a tangential drive.
Linear Motor Drive	Tangential Drive

Automation Techniques: Cordelia: 707/688-6247 -- Danville office: 925/735-0654