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load, there is another application that simply requires more speed; this is where the new GFX Agile comes in. GFX Agile has been designed to be light and fast. The bearings are smaller with a lower mass, which allows the movers to accelerate and decelerate to and from top speeds quicker. The transit time is therefore significantly less, allowing a higher throughput. Designed for overall payloads (product and tooling combined) of less than 250g, with little or no process loading, GFX agile is capable of a maximum velocity of 6m/s and acceleration in excess of 200m/s² when programmed through TwinCAT with specific ‘unlocked’ XTS coding from Beckhoff. GFX Agile uses less energy and therefore
generates less heat in the modules, allowing more throughput to thermally limited applications where our conventional movers demand greater energy for the required acceleration or velocity profile capacity of the XTS drive systems. Overall system lengths can also be reduced to achieve the same throughput, saving valuable space. Aimed at lightweight applications focussed on maximising throughput, GFX Agile is ideally suited to the packaging or filling of small confectionary or pharmaceutical products, for example.
Track ManageMenT sysTeM
The next development is the Track Management System (TMS); a clever design that facilitates the transition of movers between GFX systems, connecting two systems seamlessly. During continuous operation, movers can be switched out of the circuit or even moved onto secondary circuits thanks to TMS. This enables movers to be removed for maintenance reasons, to allow for system re-configuration or for the movement of movers between systems to accommodate extra processes. There are many potential uses for TMS and its ability to switch during high speed operation enables throughput to be maximised. The precision ballscrew driven transfer slide section can achieve cycle times as quick as 0.4 seconds
Hygienic versions of the GFX/XTS system make it perfect for use in the pharma or food industry or in washdown applications
to sub-micron repeatability. Optimising space is another core advantage
of TMS. The footprint remains the same but production can be doubled by having two production lines running in parallel, vertically aligned, one above the other. For applications looking to maximise throughput this can be very advantageous. TMS is proving very popular in applications such as Electric Vehicle battery production. Not only is this system space saving but it also maintains the product in a single orientation; advantageous in EV battery production.
Hygienic Design
Finally, the last development to introduce is the GFX Hygienic Design, a variant of the GFX track system that is suitable for use with the Beckhoff ‘HD’ hygienic design XTS motors and magnets. Opening up a wide spectrum of new applications, primarily in food and pharmaceutical industries and for processing
and filling liquids, the GFX Hygienic Design is expected to be well received. Two versions of the system are available to suit differing customer needs; cleandown and washdown.
Cleandown – Suitable for wet cleaning, this system uses a structure that is very similar to a standard GFX, but modified with special mover body and motor mounting hardware to fit the HD (Hygienic Design) motors. Designed to be used in pharmaceutical, food and other processes where the system requires wet cleaning with benign liquids to remove surface contamination.
Washdown – Designed for cleaning in place (CIP) operations that include foaming agents, hot washing and pressure washing. The construction allows complete access to all surfaces, pooling traps are removed, joints between all components are sealed and the bearings are protected against lubricant egress with a solid cover and labyrinth seals. All fasteners are sealed and designed to minimise pooling traps and ease cleaning processes.
The new Hi-Drive is available immediately.
Hygienic, Agile and TMS are at beta stage. For more information, please contact
sales@hepcomotion.com.
HepcoMotion
www.hepcomotion.com
TMS facilitates the transition of movers between GFX systems and can be utilised in many ways to increase the functionality of a system
NOVEMBER 2021 DESIGN SOLUTIONS 9
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