Latest Motors Articles

Three-phase motors are a backbone of the modern industrial control landscape. But plenty of applications still rely on…

Three-phase motors are a backbone of the modern industrial control landscape. But plenty of applications still rely on single-phase motors. Can these types of motors be reversed, and if so, how?

Direct current (DC) motors have existed since the late 19th century. What sets these motors apart from AC models, how do…

Direct current (DC) motors have existed since the late 19th century. What sets these motors apart from AC models, how do you control them, and how can you tell when it’s time to repair or replace them?

It’s the first two days of Automate 2023, and the Control Automation team hit the streets to learn about the latest and…

It’s the first two days of Automate 2023, and the Control Automation team hit the streets to learn about the latest and greatest technology rocking the world of robotics and industrial automation!

Rubber belts have lived under the hood of nearly every car since they first took to the streets, but they also transmit…

Rubber belts have lived under the hood of nearly every car since they first took to the streets, but they also transmit power through all kinds of industrial machine drives as well.

Although electrical systems often receive the highest praise for advancement, precision, and technological innovation,…

Although electrical systems often receive the highest praise for advancement, precision, and technological innovation, the world would be stuck without mechanical power delivery systems like gear drives.

Many VFDs use digital inputs to control operation, rather than PLC-driven network communications. Learn about 2-wire and…

Many VFDs use digital inputs to control operation, rather than PLC-driven network communications. Learn about 2-wire and 3-wire digital input control schemes for ABB, Omron, Rockwell, and others.

There are many different kinds of electric motors used for industrial power transfer, but there are also hydraulic and…

There are many different kinds of electric motors used for industrial power transfer, but there are also hydraulic and pneumatic motors that can lend advantages in some situations.

Bosch Rexroth’s new Hägglunds Quantum motors offer high torque at high efficiency—fit for use on mobile machinery,…

Bosch Rexroth’s new Hägglunds Quantum motors offer high torque at high efficiency—fit for use on mobile machinery, such as construction or mining equipment, or in stationary processing facilities.

Field-oriented control (FOC), also called vector control, can control 3-phase alternating current motors and brushless DC…

Field-oriented control (FOC), also called vector control, can control 3-phase alternating current motors and brushless DC motors. Read more to learn its advantages, how it works, and its best applications.

ABB has expanded its line of Baldor-Reliance EC Titanium motors designed for HVAC and pumping systems to include IEC…

ABB has expanded its line of Baldor-Reliance EC Titanium motors designed for HVAC and pumping systems to include IEC frame types, making the award-winning product lineup even more flexible for customer applications.

Motors consume the highest current during startup—this is a well-known fact. But logically, the slowest speed should…

Motors consume the highest current during startup—this is a well-known fact. But logically, the slowest speed should relate to the lowest power consumption. Why, then, is inrush current so high for motors?

Large motors require a circuit to turn on and off. This may be as simple as a single on/off drum-type switch or as…

Large motors require a circuit to turn on and off. This may be as simple as a single on/off drum-type switch or as elaborate as a VFD unit. Learn about some common control circuit designs for typical three-phase motor requirements.

Among the technologies demonstrated at the recent ATX West show in Anaheim, CA, were conveyor systems relying not on…

Among the technologies demonstrated at the recent ATX West show in Anaheim, CA, were conveyor systems relying not on geared or belted tracks but rather on coil-driven magnets, providing control and feedback.

DC motors are an old technology still commonly used in industry. This hands-on article shows how to implement a Count Up…

DC motors are an old technology still commonly used in industry. This hands-on article shows how to implement a Count Up (CTU) counter on an Arduino OpenPLC Simulator to control a low-voltage DC motor.

CUI Devices has expanded its product line of motion and control components, offering a new family of shaft and shaftless…

CUI Devices has expanded its product line of motion and control components, offering a new family of shaft and shaftless potentiometers that come in different varieties with varying resistance ratings.

We are taught that parallel circuits maintain equal voltage across all branch resistors, equally sharing the source…

We are taught that parallel circuits maintain equal voltage across all branch resistors, equally sharing the source voltage. But reality is often far from ideal, and individual devices certainly impact the rest of the circuit.

Closed-loop motor control is a control system used to regulate the output of a motor. Learn about the four common types…

Closed-loop motor control is a control system used to regulate the output of a motor. Learn about the four common types of closed-loop motor control systems to understand each one’s inner-workings and applications.

Many control product manufacturers offer these downloadable ‘EDS files’ for peripheral equipment, but what exactly is…

Many control product manufacturers offer these downloadable ‘EDS files’ for peripheral equipment, but what exactly is an EDS, and how can they aid in the development of a project?

We know that servo motors are found inside machines that rely on precise motion with feedback to verify proper operation,…

We know that servo motors are found inside machines that rely on precise motion with feedback to verify proper operation, but how do they work, and what makes them different from any other kind of motor?