Enhanced motion controls have created a hit product for baseball training.
 The ProBatter simulator uses a three-wheeled design, instead of the typical two-wheels, which means it can throw pretty much any pitch that a human being can throw. |
If the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, partners in what is perhaps the most headed rivalry in all of sports, can agree on something, then it’s worthy of noting.
And that’s the case with the use of the PX2 ProBatter® Professional baseball simulator pitching machine. The unit combines computer-controlled pitching capabilities with new video technology that allows players to practice under more game-like conditions.
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The ProBatter uses a video screen that displays the image of a pitcher making his delivery; the pitching machine behind the screen, pitches the ball according to how it was programmed. This means hitters can get a more accurate representation of varying pitch speeds and locations, or even experience the difference between a left- or right-handed delivery. The ProBatter can even simulate different types of pitches, including fastballs, curves, sliders, sinkers, cutters or change-ups.
 With the ProBatter, hitters can get a more accurate representation of varying pitch speeds and locations, or even experience the difference between a left- or right-handed delivery. |
According to Michael Suba, VP of Engineering at ProBatter Sports, one of the crucial differences between the ProBatter simulator and conventional pitching machines is the use of a three-wheeled design, instead of the typical two-wheels, which means it can throw pretty much any pitch that a human being can throw.
The wheels are positioned at 2, 6, and 10 o’clock, and spin at different speeds in order to create the varying movements of different pitches. This is fed from a customized database in correctly simulating the speed and movement of each pitch.
Key to developing and producing a machine that could accurately re-produce these unique pitch characteristics was finding the right motor inverter to control the three wheels, as each needs to either be sped up or slowed down on each axis, and in different combinations. To meet these demands, ProBatter Sports engineers chose the SCF Series from Lenze-AC Tech.
 One of the key upgrades to the PX2 was the implementation of a 15” color touch screen. |
“Our SCF Series inverter drive, complete with its dynamic braking, is able to decelerate the machine wheels faster and with more repeatability,” states Lenze-AC Tech Director of Product Development Darrow Hanesia.
Another key specification requirement met by the SCF, is its physical size. Because the ProBatter’s system has three inverters involved with the dynamic braking, size is important, as it allows all of the controls to be kept in one cabinet for easier integration into a pitching machine frame.
Looking more closely at the dynamic braking function, the engineers needed to ensure that the machine could change pitch speeds appropriately, and alternate between a high fastball in the upper 90s, and a knee-buckling curve at a slower speed.
Although the PX2 has only been on the market for about two years, the ProBatter is nearly 10 years old. One of the key upgrades was the implementation of a 15” color touch screen. In doing so, the controls had to be adjusted, making cable lengths and communications a potential issue.
This was rectified with the more robust motion control system described above, as well as a new amplifier and Ethernet communication capabilities that allowed for placing control components wherever they were needed.
More information is available at www.probatter.com and www.Lenze-ACTech.com.