In This Issue...
News
- Review: Motion Control Technology Advances Aid Precision Automotive Manufacturing
- Zero Obsolescence = Lasting Value
- IFPE Recap
- Space Tech Expo USA
Distributor Highlight
People at Delta
Tech Tip
- System Simulation with RMCs and RMCTools
Upcoming Trade Shows & Conferences
Opportunities at Delta
Learning More About Delta
- Education & Training
- Useful Links
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During a recent Delta support session the topic of press cushioning came up. This is a special sub-application for stamping presses. When conversations like this happen it is nice to have an extensive library of past hydraulic motion control cases to demonstrate these very specific problems. We are sharing one such case study on die cushioning from several years ago.
Motion Control Technology Advances Aid Precision Automotive Manufacturing
by Bill Savela in Fluid Power Journal
"Sometimes it’s not enough to simply close the control loop. Traditional control algorithms rely on eliminating an error between what is happening (as indicated by feedback from sensors in the system) and what you want to have happen. High-speed motion controllers have become good at doing this quickly. But what if, for reasons of product quality, there can be no striking errors in the first place—for example, if a metal car part is being stamped and the risk of making the impression too quickly or too heavily must be avoided? The stamping press could be moved more slowly, but the productivity of the machine would be limited. To perform the process as quickly as possible requires some innovation in how the control algorithm is set up. Dayton Die Cushions of Eden Prairie, Minn., is doing just such innovation.
Die cushions are hydraulically operated platforms that reside under the die in a stamping machine and move to cushion and oppose the motion of the main press ram. A die cushion typically pinches the periphery of a work piece (which starts out as a flat metal blank) with various pad pressures in order to control the rate at which the work piece is pressed into the die by the main ram. Use of die cushion devices enables automotive components, such as body panels, to be manufactured to tighter tolerances and with features, such as bends, that would not be attainable with press-only stamping operations."
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Zero Obsolescence = Lasting Value
One example of Delta’s commitment to excellent customer support is our Zero Obsolescence policy. As long as there is market demand, and as long as we can source components to build those products, we will continue to build and support them. By keeping the necessary inventory of critical parts, we are happy to say that we have thus far avoided obsoleting any products. Even our first motion controllers that were introduced in 1986 are still available for sale. We want to let older products obsolete themselves as systems are retired or upgraded. And we want you to be able to upgrade on your schedule.
Delta Controllers Through the Years
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IFPE 2023 just wrapped up and Delta Motion enjoyed being a part of the return of the show. The last IFPE event in 2020 began just as the United States entered the COVID pandemic and the show attendance suffered dramatically. It was wonderful to see the 2023 edition return with such strong attendance. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello and visit with our team in Las Vegas! We look forward to welcoming everyone again in 2026.
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Distributor Highlight
Wilson Company is Delta Motion's distributor covering most of Texas. Founded in 1965, Wilson has a broad range of specialized industrial application experience across many industries. Wilson serves retail customers through their chain of Parker stores and online retail site for common fittings, hoses, fluids, and accessories. They have developed a number of specialty standard offerings for specific applications, such as fatigue testing benches, pressure testing equipment (under the Intellitest brand), fluid conditioning carts for aircraft and vehicle applications, specialized cooling systems, as well as palletized and cart-mounted hydraulic power units.
As a result of their broad experience, Wilson's engineering team offers customers strong system design and integration capabilities. Training is another unique service that Wilson offers, using their hydraulic or pneumatic demonstration equipment.
We at Delta congratulate Wilson Company on nearly 60 years of success and growth, and look forward to many years of continued success together in the future. If you will be attending the Offshore Technology Conference in May, stop by Wilson's booth #1101 and say hello.
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People at Delta
Richard 'Rick' Meyerhoefer, retiring Southwest Regional Sales Director
We want to wish a fond farewell and happy retirement to our Southwest Regional Sales Manager, Richard (Rick) Meyerhoefer who is leaving Delta after 24 years. Rick joined Delta in December 1999 and he played an integral role in developing Delta's sales and distributor networks across the continental United States. Starting his Delta career in the Great Lakes region and ending his career on the Southwest Coast, Rick has helped build Delta’s presence in nearly every corner of the United States. In his early years Rick would spend his weekdays on sales calls in the upper Midwest and Northeast and his weekends at home in Vancouver, Washington. In fact, at Delta we often discuss how Rick has worked nearly all of Delta's regions at one time or another during his career with us!
Most recently, Rick has been managing the Southwest United States and Western Canada region. You may have met him at trade shows or conferences in the region he manages, such as Space Tech in California, the NFPA Annual Conference, or IFPE in Las Vegas.
Rick tells us that he is excited to dramatically reduce the amount of travel, but he is looking forward to visiting extended family in Europe with his wife Mar. While the team at Delta family will miss his presence, sense of humor, and input, all of us extend our gratitude and well-wishes for an enjoyable retirement. Thank you Rick!
Rick and Mar Meyerhoefer |
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Tech Tip
System Simulation - "Test at Your Desk"
One of the very useful features of RMCTools and RMC controllers is the capability to simulate the axes for your system. Delta Motion's standard 10-day lead time usually means you can get a controller and begin programming before other system components arrive. The only requirement for simulation is that your controller be configured with the Input/Output modules that support the axis types you will simulate; for example, if you are simulating a position and pressure control axis, you need to have position and pressure input modules. Also, if you are simulating multiple axes, will you need enough I/O to support all of the axes. For the RMC200, you will need enough control loops for the axes you simulate. As long as these conditions are satisfied, you can simulate all of the axes you will use in your physical system.
RMCTools offers a Simulation Wizard to set up the axes appropriately. Position-only axes require you to define the travel limits and the maximum speed and acceleration of the axis in generic position units ("pu"). Position-pressure (or force) axes require not only the limits, speed, and acceleration, but also where the axes will encounter the "resistance" and distance the simulated resistance will be felt. Adjusting these values allows you to match the axes to your physical system.
Simulated axes can be tuned just like physical axes using the Plot Manager and the Tuning Wizard. Going into the Axis Parameters -> All -> Simulator window allows you to adjust the simulation's parameters to match the axis simulation even more closely to the expected physical axis. These changes require a reasonably advanced understanding of the system dynamics.
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Tradeshows & Conferences
Upcoming Trade Shows
Please check Delta's Trade Shows page regularly for updates. Here are the upcoming shows we will be attending in the 2nd Quarter of 2023. We hope to see you. Hannover Messe - Hannover
Space Tech Expo - Long Beach
Instrumentation, Analysis & Testing Exhibition - Silverstone
China International Battery Fair
Automotive Testing Expo Europe |
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Opportunities at Delta
Electronics Design Engineer
Delta is seeking an excellent Electrical Engineer to join our team. The ideal candidate will have relevant experience with analog and digital circuit design, PCB layout, and FPGA programming. This is a great opportunity for the right individual to join Delta's team developing and supporting our industry-leading motion control products. A complete opening description can be found by following the link.
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Learning More About Delta
Education & Training
Delta's in-person Classroom Training is a fantastic way to learn RMCTools software and how to configure and program RMC controllers. Self-Paced, Live Online and Custom training courses are also available depending on your needs. Please check Delta's Internet Training page frequently for schedule updates and added classes. You may also contact Delta by phone at (360) 254-8688, at technicalsales@deltamotion.com, or reach out to your Regional Sales Manager.
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Self-Paced Learning
Delta also offers self-paced training options, as well.
- Video Tutorials An easy way to get up to speed on the RMC's features with easy to follow video guides.
- Online RMCs Try RMCTools or custom RMCLink programs when you don't have a physical RMC to test with.
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Discussion Forum
Delta's Discussion Forum is a place for users to share ideas about User Programs, unique applications, or third-party equipment that works well with the Delta RMC Motion Controllers.
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Distributor Only Website
If you are a Delta distributor and need a password or user ID, email us or call Delta at (360)-254-8688.
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Delta Computer Systems, Inc.
1818 SE 17th St. - Battle Ground, WA USA 98604-8579
P: 360-254-8688 - F: 360-254-5435
Delta Motion Ltd.
5 South Charlotte Street - Edinburgh, EH2 4AN, United Kingdom
P: (+44) 0131 447 7924
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