LINEAR MOTION FEATURE A challenging environment
Linear motion technology from HepcoMotion is proving capable of meeting the demands of applications in harsh industrial environments
23,000 pieces per day. Although this is typically operational for
W
hen cutting slate, the excessive amounts of dust produced can be a real challenge
for linear motion products. So, as a builder of machinery designed to cut and process slates, Spanish company Carpintería Metálica Hermaca turned to HepcoMotion for a solution that would withstand the challenging environment. The company needed a heavy duty actuator
to lift the slates, and a guidance system for a pick and place application.
A SOLUTION FOR HARSH ENVIRONMENTS To meet the demands, Hepco’s core GV3 linear guide is used on the horizontal pick and place system to move the slate plates from one position to another. Designed to suit a diverse range of
automation and linear applications, the GV3 is suited to harsh environments thanks to its V guide technology. This, the company, explains, has a wiping action that expels debris. The outer diameter of the bearing travels at a faster speed than the inner diameter, causing particles nearer the centre to move outwards to the periphery, and to be expelled. Due to the geometry of the slide and bearing interface, debris is expelled to the outer diameter of the bearing in a spiral motion, away from the running surface. The self-cleaning action has resulted in the
GV3 working in this environment for more than 15 months with a duty cycle of 23,000 pieces per day, compared to the previous guides which needed changing every three to four months. Hepco’s V guide technology can run without
any lubrication, a benefit in applications where high levels of dust are present. The V bearings are also supplied without lubricators or cap wipers, enabling their use in food, medical and scientific applications.
MEETING DEMANDS For vertically lifting the slate, Hepco’s HDCS heavy duty ball screw actuator is used with bellow covers to protect the actuator from the environment. A heavy duty actuator was needed here as the application faces vertical loads of 350kg and needs to lift
eight hours each day, this increases to 16 when necessary. Here, the HDCS is proving very reliable and durable – only the internal ball screws need to be replaced every two years. The HD slides and bearings are working for five or six years before needing to be replaced.
SHOE MANUFACTURING MACHINERY In another application DESMA, a German shoe machinery manufacturer, has used HepcoMotion linear technology on its unit sole machine. The company’s injection moulding machines, which are said to be reminiscent of a giant wheel lying on its side, can accommodate moulds for 60 individual soles on their circumference. Next to the rotary table, there is a separate plant with a linear arm, on which a reaction-casting unit descends. The reaction- casting unit fills the moulds with liquid polyurethane – an elastic polymer that makes shoe soles comfortable and durable – in around six seconds. Once the moulds have been filled, two jaws close the form from right and left. A stamp comes from above to imprint the inscription of the respective sole into the liquid. While the liquid polyurethane hardens, the wheel races around. Finally, the moulds open, revealing the hardened shoe sole. In this application, a 1300mm length of
HepcoMotion’s HB25 guide is used, forming the arm of the casting unit, which drives over the turntable to fill moulds with liquid polyurethane. The HB25 is a 130mm wide by 220mm high aluminium beam, weighing 24kg per metre in weight. A single-edge stainless- steel slide is mounted on each corner of the HB25 beam; and the lower slides each have a rack cut into the face opposite the V in the slide. The casting unit is mounted to two carriage plates, each with four V bearings which run on the slides. Movement is provided by a pinion, also mounted to the carriage plate and driven by a motor, which drives the carriage along the rack. The carriage moves back and forth through 100mm with each full operation. An automatic lubrication system applies a uniform film of lubricant to the
rack and pinion, facilitating low-friction movement, reducing wear and improving life.
HepcoMotion
www.hepcomotion.com
DESIGN SOLUTIONS | NOVEMBER 2018 15
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
