Haleakalā Telescopes (DKIST-MZ-collage-p1-CC8) NOIRLab/NSF/AURA, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Retro-Modding Legacy Motion Control Systems
When a telescope is supporting space surveillance, the systems controlling its movement need to be precise, reliable and proven.
A recent project to retrofit and modernise the hydraulic control system at a U.S. Space Force telescope facility in Hawaii brought together Delta Motion's RMC200 dedicated motion-control platform and Temposonics R-Series V FLEX high-precision linear position sensors to coordinate eight hydraulic cylinders controlling the movement of the Advanced Electro-Optical System (AEOS) telescope dome on the island of Maui. The system needed to continuously monitor position and force feedback and keep the cylinders synchronised as the structure moved. Delta Motion supported the motion-control programming and implemented advanced control algorithms to manage the cylinders, comparing position and force feedback from each cylinder every millisecond and adjusting motion to maintain level and equilibrium. Flexible Temposonics linear sensors provided the high-precision position feedback required by the system, while their compact design and four-inch bend radius helped overcome the practical challenges of integrating sensors into the hydraulic cylinders. Rather than sequencing motion solely through a PLC, the Delta RMC200 was specified to provide the high-speed closed-loop control required to coordinate the hydraulic system.
Delta RMC200 Motion Controller
Proven Where Precision Matters
The application presented a demanding motion-control challenge, with the equipment required to perform accurately and reliably while coordinating multiple hydraulic actuators and responding continuously to feedback. The RMC200 was selected for this role as a dedicated motion controller capable of managing complex multi-axis hydraulic motion.
Its ability to work with different feedback technologies was also important to the project, allowing modern control technology to be integrated with existing equipment and sensor infrastructure. The project provides a useful demonstration of Delta Motion’s technology being trusted in complex, precision-critical motion-control applications.
Temposonics R-Series V FLEX
Accurate Control Starts with Accurate Feedback
The project also incorporated flexible, high-precision Temposonics linear position sensors, designed with an four-inch bend radius to suit the installation. Aggressive Hydraulics redesigned the cylinders with integrated piping that allowed maintenance teams to feed the flexible sensors into the units without removing them from the structure. The exposed section of each sensor was protected by a steel covering.
Temposonics sensors provided the accurate position feedback required by the RMC200 to continuously monitor the movement of each cylinder. Together, the sensing and control technologies formed an important part of the closed-loop system, allowing the eight hydraulic cylinders to remain synchronised as the telescope structure moved.
From Aerospace to Industry
While controlling a telescope structure may seem far removed from an industrial machine, the underlying motion-control requirements are familiar. Hydraulic machinery often requires multiple actuators to work together accurately, with position, pressure or force continuously monitored and controlled.
In applications where synchronisation, repeatability and machine performance matter, the combination of accurate feedback and dedicated motion control can provide a level of control that goes well beyond simply commanding an actuator to move. The Space Force project demonstrates how Temposonics sensing and Delta Motion control can work together to address these challenges in a complex real-world application.
Confidence in the Technology
For engineers specifying motion-control equipment, the question isn’t only what a product can do on paper. It’s also whether the technology has demonstrated that capability in the field. Delta Motion has developed its reputation around specialised motion control, with solutions designed for hydraulic and electromechanical applications where precision and reliable control are critical.
Temposonics has likewise established a strong position in high-precision linear position sensing, providing feedback technology for demanding industrial applications. Together, these technologies demonstrate how accurate sensing and dedicated motion control can be combined to solve complex machine-control challenges.
Discuss your application with ECS
Your application might not involve a telescope, but it may present its own motion-control challenges. Whether you’re developing new machinery, upgrading an existing hydraulic system or looking for more precise multi-axis control, the right solution depends on the application, actuators, feedback devices and the way the machine needs to operate. ECS is New Zealand’s trusted brand partner and distributor of Delta Motion and Temposonics technology, providing access to both brands along with specialist engineering support to help identify the right approach for your application.
Need help selecting the right industrial controllers or sensors for your project?
If you would like to know more about Delta Motion’s high-performance industrial motion controllers or Temposonics linear position sensors for servo-hydraulic and servo-electric applications, talk to ECS about your project. Our team can help identify the sensing and motion-control technology suited to your application.