Compact drive control at Design Engineering Expo

13/05/2024 - EMS to showcase latest innovations in drive system control

13th May 2024
Filed under: Ems, Faulhaber, Bx4, Imc

Drive system supplier Electro Mechanical Systems (EMS) will once again be returning to exhibit at the Design Engineering Expo this year. As the UK’s exclusive FAULHABER distributor, EMS will showcase the latest developments in micromotors and advanced drive systems, including the IEP3 incremental encoder and new BX4 IMC — featuring the world’s smallest integrated motion controller.

Taking place at the NEC in Birmingham from June 5 to 6, the Design Engineering Expo acts as a hub for design engineering professionals from all levels of the supply chain. Achieving streamlined operations, cost reductions and optimised performance are the key themes of this year’s Expo. To that end, EMS is keen to showcase the wide range of FAULHABER drive systems and share how its latest product additions can help engineers tackle some of these issues right from drive system design.

This includes the newly released BX4 integrated motion controller (IMC), regarded as the world’s smallest integrated motion control system. Adding just 18 millimetres to the length of the drive system, the IMC encompasses a full featured servo controller and 12-bit encoder for precise positioning and control.

Both RS232 and CANopen interface versions are presented to support a wide range of application needs, whether for standalone operation or within a wider industrial automation network. Two 22 mm diameter drive system sizes are available at 50 mm and 68 mm long, offering access to speeds ranging from 1 to 13,000 min^-1 rotations per minute. Built-in current control helps to protect the drive system from overloading, ensuring reliable operation even under harsh conditions.

EMS will also showcase the FAULHABER IEP3 incremental encoder at the show. With a diameter of just eight millimetres, this three-channel encoder offers accurate positioning information from an extremely compact space. Resolutions of up to 10,000 lines per revolution are possible for extremely precise measurement. In addition, customer-specific resolutions are freely programmable to enable a customised encoder for the needs of any application.

“Exhibiting at this year’s Expo allows us to provide visitors with unique hands-on access to the latest FAULHABER products, designed to meet the complex demands of modern industry,” explained Dave Walsha, sales manager at EMS. “Engineers are increasingly facing the pressure of packing more functionality and performance into ever shrinking spaces, particularly in sectors such as medical technology and automation. Both the IMC and IEP3 offer major advantages here, enabling highly precise positioning control from a package size of just a few millimetres.

“Regardless of the application at hand, enhanced motion control offers a multitude of benefits: less wear and material wastage in manufacturing, more efficient processes, and better-quality products overall. When the smallest fraction of a measurement makes all the difference, choosing a FAULHABER precision solution is the best route to take.”