Discover your next big idea at PACK EXPO Las Vegas this September
Experience a breakthrough in packaging & processing and transform your business with solutions from 2,300 suppliers spanning all industries.
REGISTER NOW & SAVE

Motion: how to decide when to distribute control

Although automation vendors tend to urge users to consider decentralizing drives and distributing as much intelligence as possible throughout their machinery, most readily admit that it’s not for every application. The centralized approach is still valid for many applications.

The natural question to ask is, how does one go about making a decision? Here is some advice from Tom Jensen, technology evangelist at Lenze Americas Corp.

• Start with a white sheet of paper. “Don’t copy and paste code and concepts for new mechatronic machines,” advises Jensen. “Copying old concepts locks you into old hardware concepts.”

• Think functionality. Ask, what does the machine need to do? In general, complex motion tends to benefit the most from centralized control. “If the machine can be simplified, gains might be realized with remote motor-mounted frequency drives,” notes Jensen.

• Consider the machine’s footprint. Small machines with short cable runs normally have a cabinet.

Pharmaceutical Innovations Report
Discover the latest breakthrough packaging technologies shaping the pharmaceutical sector. This report dives into cutting-edge innovations, from smart containers that enhance patient safety to eco-friendly materials poised to transform the industry’s sustainability practices. All from PACK EXPO. Learn how forward-thinking strategies are driving efficiency and redefining what’s possible in pharma packaging.
Learn More
Pharmaceutical Innovations Report
Researched List: Engineering Services Firms
Looking for engineering services? Our curated list features 100+ companies specializing in civil, process, structural, and electrical engineering. Many also offer construction, design, and architecture services. Download to access company names, markets served, key services, contact information, and more!
Download Now
Researched List: Engineering Services Firms