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Electric handling devices offer a number of advantages over pneumatic handling systems. A compact design, low noise, and energy-saving operation are just a few of them. But for the devices to capitalise on these advantages, components must be correctly selected.
The conscientious selection of linear technology is especially important. The example of the MS-Maurawicz NS Speed shows in detail the advantages of electrically powered handling systems and how built-in linear technology can make a difference.
Common assembly handling devices consist of at least two axes (X- and Y-axes) and perhaps an additional Z-axis. In the past, pneumatic cylinders were often used as a drive in linear handling, but they cost a great deal and took up space. Electric handling devices offer are a good alternative for various reasons. The AS-Morawski NTS Ultra-Speed provides a good example of this. The handling specialist has been using drylin linear guides without lubrication for decades.
AS-Morawski's NTS Ultra-Speed has a simple, compact design that pneumatic systems can't match. The development of the NTS Ultra-Speed also aimed at maintenance-free, energy-saving operation and inexpensive component selection. The electrical handling device promises no loss of positioning accuracy at any desired length and at high operating speeds.
What is striking about the NTS Ultra-Speed is that it has only one drive unit. There are only two toothed belts, four toothed pulleys, and three or four sensors. Conventional pneumatic drives, on the other hand, require two pneumatic cylinders, four throttle valves, four shock absorbers, two couplings, two switching valves, two solenoid coils, four cylinder monitoring sensors, six silencers, four screw connections, and four air hoses. This makes the electric handling device up to 65 percent smaller than previous systems. The handling device is also shorter (stroke length plus the toothed belt pulley diameter) and the much lower moving mass requires less drive energy. Unlike pneumatic handling devices, which cause noise and exhaust air with every movement, electric drives work cleanly, are very quiet, and cost less to operate. They are also faster: In the end positions, there is no loss of time as there is with pneumatic drives. The operating speed can be three to four times that of pneumatic handling devices.
Compact, cost-effective design; smooth, maintenance-free operation; and high precision are good reasons to prefer an electrically driven linear handling system to a pneumatic handling device. But to capitalise on these advantages, the linear technology in the linear robot axes must be addressed. What is really important for the material and design of linear rails and carriages? One thing is certain: The guidance systems play a key role in ensuring accuracy and reliability given the high cycle times and operating speeds.
For its NTS Ultra-Speed, AS-Morawski uses the sliding linear guides from the drylin product range, since they allow very compact and completely maintenance-free handling systems. They can also be used to create handling devices of any length. Their positioning accuracy is lower than the very expensive precision guides. However, a clearance adjustment system guarantees clearance-free guide systems with positioning accuracy of +/- 0.1mm.
Specifically, drylin R, drylin W, drylin T, and drylin N guide systems are used in AS-Morawski handling devices.
The most important system design features: In contrast to the familiar recirculating ball bearing systems, the drylin linear guides operate on special sliding elements. They are usually made of iglidur J material, which is advantageous for applications due to its special coefficients of wear and friction.
Since the material has dry operation, the linear bearing systems require no lubrication. Grease or oil is contamination therefore a thing of the past. Ambient dust, and abrasion dust during machining, no longer adhere to the bearing point. This freedom from maintenance is an important condition for economical NTS Ultra-Speed operation and thus complements other savings factors.
And unlike recirculating ball bearings, drylin systems neither depend on length of travel nor place any constraints on minimum stroke length.
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