Frank Bartos

Articles

Motors and Drives July 1, 2005

Energy-Efficient Motors Deliver Savings

In simplest terms, energy-efficient electric motors are high-quality versions of standard motor products. They pack more of "active" electric materials (steel laminations and copper) into essentially the same physical package—hence carry a price tag 15-30% higher than their less-efficient cousins.

By Frank Bartos
PLCs, PACs September 7, 2004

Technology and Business: The Path Forward

Click here to read the original print article. An interview with Andrew McDonald—Unilever HPC-NA’s global automation and control technology manager—reveals insights about bringing the communities of engineering and management closer together at your facility. Andrew McDonald holds the position of global automation and control technology manager at Unilever Home and Personal Care North America (HPC-NA).

By Frank Bartos
Asset Management June 13, 2003

Honeywell hosts hot user symposium

Phoenix, AZ—It was hard to tell which was hotter, an outdoor temperature of 107 ºF or the networking at Honeywell Users Group (HUG) Americas Symposium held here, June 9-13, 2003.

By Frank Bartos
Machine Safety May 30, 2003

`Division’ or `zone’ by any other name is still hazardous

Expanded online version of May 2003 Control Engineering‘Back to Basics.’ Click here to read the main article Not all parts of processing plants or manufacturing facilities are created equal. In fact, some production areas can be downright hazardous. Petrochem plants, underground mines, even grain silos pose the potential of accidental explosion, due to ignitable gases, vapors, or dust that may be present. Various classification systems have been set up to identify these potentially dangerous industrial environments so that electrical equipment operating in those areas can be regulated to prevent ignition and explosion, thereby ensuring the safety of workers and facilities. Two main classification systems have emerged, differing in details that reflect their regional origins: A North American system based on the U.S.

By Frank Bartos
Motors and Drives May 29, 2003

Switched-Reluctance Motors and Controls Offer an Alternative Solution

Online Extra to Feb. 2003 Control Engineering article,‘Springtime for Switched-Reluctance Motors?’ Click here to return to main article Switched-reluctance (SR) technology offers users a simple, rugged type of electric motor, able to deliver high torque and speed. However, control electronics and a sophisticated drive are required to obtain such high-performance from these machines.

By Frank Bartos
Mechatronics and Motion Control January 23, 2003

Control Engineering Motors, Drives, & Motion Control eNews for January 2003

VOLUME 4, NUMBER 1 Galil- Galil, the leader in motion control with over 300,000 controllers sold, has introduced its DMC-21x3 series which is half-the-price and size of comparable Ethernet controllers. The four axis model is just $795 in 100 qty and measures only 4.25' x 7'. Click here to get specs . See Galil's free online video, 'Demonstration of Motion Control' where Dr.

By Frank Bartos
Mechatronics and Motion Control June 4, 2002

Control Engineering Motors, Drives, & Motion Control Newsletter for January 2002

In this issue: Update on contactors, motor starters Readers surveyed on motion control Chip-based motion developer's kit for PCI bus Rare-earth magnets in ring form Motor controller for $100 New Technical Working Group for SERCOS N.A. Exhibitions, seminars Control Engineering in January Companies in motion Control Engineering News Update on contactors, motor starters Less publicized than other technologies, products for starting and protecting electric motors continue to make refinements that might interest you. Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. (Alpharetta, Ga.) recently introduced three sizes of large-frame contactors with ratings in the 115-500 A range for ac or dc motor control.

By Frank Bartos
Machine Safety June 4, 2002

Control Engineering Motors, Drives, & Motion Control Newsletter for March 2001

In this issue: 1,000,000-th chip for SERCOS Low-cost capacitive position sensing New ergonomic assist devices have intelligence Cheer the young 'Roboteers' Two motor starters introduced at NMW Online servo selection tool Linear motors market survey is optimistic Conferences, seminars Info free for the asking Control Engineering in March 1,000,000-th chip installed for SERCOS A ceremony on March 21, 2001 at RA Jones & Co. (Covington, Ky.)-a leading manufacturer of packaging machinery for consumer products companies-marked a notable milestone for SERCOS communication interface when the one millionth SERCOS ASIC was installed on one of RA Jones' packaging machines. SERCOS (SErial Realtime COmmunication System) is a fiber-optic-based network expressly designed for motion control applications. SERCOS, defined in IEC 61491 standard, claims more than 100 suppliers of products worldwide that comply with the interface.

By Frank Bartos
Mechatronics and Motion Control June 4, 2002

Control Engineering’s Motors, Drives, and Motion Control Newsletter for June 2001

In this issue: 'Film coil' technology advances motors Looking at the North American ac drives market (2001- 06) European motor drive vendor award ISA/AIME Applied Motion Control conference Software simplifies motor testing New torque-mode servo amplifier Information is knowledge Companies in motion Control Engineering in June Register now for the SupplyChainLinkExpo 'Film coil' technology advances motors In the never-ending quest for lower cost electric motors comes 'film coil' technology. The innovative development promises high magnetic field strength and greater coil density than wire coil-the alternative coil forming technology. Lower cost is a plus using processes similar to printed circuit board manufacturing.

By Frank Bartos
Mechatronics and Motion Control June 4, 2002

Control Engineering Motors, Drives, & Motion Control Newsletter for June 2000

In this issue: MV drives, ashore and under water Open-loop steppers dominate DSP potpourri New digital dc winder drive Unidrive now available in 230 V Control Engineering in June User aids Major Motion Control Symposium Worth reading Medium-voltage ac drives on the move - ashore and under water Rejuvenated medium-voltage (MV) ac drives are making some agile moves for such large sized equipment. On May 26, ABB (Turgi, Switzerland) launched its ACS 6000 MV ac drive family, rated from 6 to 27 MW at supply voltages up to 3.3 kV. This extends the range of ABB's MV drives substantially above 5 MW provided by ACS 1000-launched in late 1997.

By Frank Bartos
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