Some of the most challenging and rewarding motion control applications are not made difficult because of the complexity of the machine but rather due to the hostile environments in which the application must succeed. From arctic conditions in biomedical cryogenic laboratories to the low pressure, high altitude skies that most commercial aircrafts operate, learning the particular nuances of harsh environments is a necessity to many manufacturers, machine builders, and system integrators. Join Hack Summer of Moog Animatics as we explore some of the common (and most underestimated) hostile environments for motion control applications. Get application examples along with expert tips for designing motion control systems for hostile environments, a brief first look at Moog Animatics’ new extended range integrated motion control systems and best practices learned from over 20 years’ experience in military and commercial motion control design. Watch this webinar to learn: - What explosion proof really means for motion control systems? - Which hostile environments benefit from integrated motion control systems vs. conventional motion control systems? - Why temperature isn’t the biggest concern for aerospace applications – and what is? - What questions to ask when buying ‘extended temperature range’ products?

1. Fire, Pressure & Ice – Oh My!
Motion Control in
Hostile Environments

2. Before We Start
 This webinar will be available afterwards at
designworldonline.com & email
 Q&A at the end of the presentation
 Hashtag for this webinar: #DWwebinar

3. Moderator
Presenter
Miles Budimir
Hack Summer
Design World
Moog Animatics

4. Moog Animatics
• Founded 1987
• Acquired by Moog Components Group in 2011
• Moog Animatics’ is a harsh environment expert in motion control

5. How Fully Integrated Motion Control Solutions
Are the Secret Weapon of
Wet Processing and Washdown Environments.

6. Integrated motion control systems save design time
and money for machine builders in any industry,
but provide a special set of benefits for those
machines built for wet processing and washdown
environments.

7. What’s the best way to protect against
condensation in an application?
• Apply heat, internal or board level heating
• Completely sealed motors. (consider shaft seal)
• Positive pressure, force clean air into enclosure

8. Washdown Environments
• Washdown: machinery rinsed, usually with water
or chemicals or a mixture
o Medical manufacturing, semiconductor, packaging, food & beverage
• Naval: Fresh, brackish & salt water
o Rain, sleet or other outdoor environments
• Entertainment: Water shows (Seaworld, Vegas)
o Shock hazard with OSHA voltage

9. Common Washdown Environment Problems
• Cabling
• Temperature and Humidity
• Component Connection Points
• Machine and Machine Replication Costs

10. Tips for Wet Environments
• Properly identify IP rating
o Incorrect identification could lead to production downtime & high equipment
replacement costs
• IP ratings table

11. IP Ratings
•
•
•
•
The IP code consists of the letters IP
followed by two digits or one digit and
one or two letters. The IP code helps to
give concrete specifications to vague
terms such as ‘waterproof.’
The first number indicates protection
against solid particles.
The second number indicates
protection against ingress of liquid.
The larger the digit, the greater the
protection offered.

12. Why temperature isn’t the only concern for
aerospace applications – and what is?
• High Altitude means low pressure
• Low Pressure means low density atmosphere

13. High Altitude
• Aerospace – military & commercial
• High altitude locations often overlooked (Colorado for example)
• Issues arrise usually not because of temp but because of the low
pressure.
• Think of a racecar at sea-level and need high octane gas. At Denver,
gas can be a lower octane at this elevation because it burns faster.
• Same with a motor, dielectrics don’t work as well when you’re in a
lower pressure environment.

14. Tips for High Altitudes
• Consider if the application is within the pressure hull or
external
• If it is external, consider larger capacitors for power
supplies
• Also consider board mount heaters. Be aware the
controller for the heat-up may need to be inside pressure
hull.

15. What is the normal operating temperature
range for motion control products?
•
•
•
•
•
Motor Electronics are liomited to 85C
Many are at 70C
Some at 40C
Motors are typically limited ot 125C.
Integrated motors with drive electronics
are thermally limited by the electronics

16. Low & High Temperatures
•
Locations – high and low temp
o
o
o
o
•
Biomedical/Cryogenic
Semiconductor
Oil + gas industries – topside and downhaul, pipeline exploration
Environment near furnace – carpet placing example with motor sitting by open furnace
Condensation/humidity issues – caused by rapid change in temperature?
o
o
o
Steam from hot washdown machines to kill bacteria
Cold temps – juice filling machines that cannot rise above a certain temp post risk of condensation. Deadly for
encoder.
Water vapor ingress – motors and drives create heat when they run, warming and expanding air inside
component. When powered off air cools and creates negative air pressure that can pull in latent water vapor
inside unsealed crevices.

17. Tips for Low & High Temperatures
• Air flow: If the install location is near a heater, consider
adding airflow to shield form the heat
• If transitions occur form high to low and back, consider
dried air force feed to keep condensation from occurring
• If Low temperature normally occur, consider constant heat
source to prevent mechanical binding.

18. What explosion proof really means for motion
control systems?
• Explosion proof mean, if volatile gasses within the void of
the product are ignited, the product will contain the
possible explosion and prevent it’s spread to other
components.
• It does not mean the product will still
be usable after this occurs!

19. Tips for Explosion Proof Environments
Look at the regulations for the are in question
Is it volatile gases, powder, or dust?
Is it all volatile gases and no oxygen?
If the environment is oxygen free, then no detonation can occur if the
product does not have oxygen producing metal combustibles.
• See if positive force fed air may meat specifications
• See if the motors may be coupled through protective barrier to load.
•
•
•
•

20. Which hostile environments benefit from
integrated motion control systems vs.
conventional motion control systems?
• Wet environments where reduced cables and components
lower system cost
• Low Temp, high altitude where no additional drive or
controls would need to meet specification's.
• Wet environments where voltage should be below 50V to
prevent shock hazard.

21. What questions to ask when buying ‘extended
temperature range’ products?
•
•
•
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What is the actual environment?
What is the duty cycle?
What is the total expected change in temperature?
What is the humidity, worse case?

22. Download Integrated Solutions for Harsh Environments
white paper for free at www.animatics.com

23. Questions?
Design World
Miles Budimir
mbudimir@wtwhmedia.com
Twitter: @DW_Motion
Moog Animatics
Hack Summer
HSummer@moog.animatics.com
Phone: 843.761.0840

24. Thank You
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