INDUSTRY News
Novel design marries clutch and servo motor for a simpler solution
Nexen and IQa Engineering have developed a rotary indexer solution that requires less energy and cabinet space, resulting in reduced manufacturing costs and improved overall equipment eff ectiveness for the customer. To save fl oor space, many machine builders are replacing in-line processes with a circular approach, which simplifi es placement of rotational devices in a manufacturing environment. In assembly or multiple process applications, rotary index tables with multiple stations are gaining popularity. Index tables, fi tted with numerous workstations where various sub-processes execute, rotate to the next station as each process is completed, until the part is fi nished and removed. The types of processes occurring at each station are varied and may include machining, inspecting, cleaning, fi lling or spinning a part.
The complexity of a rotary indexing
process has diffi culties in incorporating a spinning axis station on a rotary indexing table. In precision applications, a servo or stepper motor is traditionally integrated into each station so the motor can spin the workpiece upon part arrival. This requires that each station have an individual servo
A section of the eight- station index table, showing the servo clutch mechanisms located at the specific spin station locations, with the inset showing the actual clutch mechanism
motor, necessitating the incorporation of the essential cable management requirements that feed power to the travelling motors, while also managing feedback information transmitted to the servo drives. Undoubtably, this process includes a series of sliprings and the various correlated cable management elements.
IQa Engineering established a solution that eliminates the extra servos and associated power and feedback
complexities of conventional solutions for spinning requirements. The innovative approach uses a modifi ed Nexen friction clutch design providing a simplifi ed mount between the servo motor and clutch.
“The key to a successful solution is a coupling technology that is simple to align and will tolerate accelerating the station to the appropriate speed with no slippage,” said Tony Kliber, Project Engineer at IQa Engineering.
Abu Dhabi company produces clean and cheap gas from water
A team from Voltage Enterprises based in Abu Dhabi, has developed a clean, stable and effi cient gas energy source derived solely from water. Named “Kinetic 7”, it has a unique molecular chemistry more advanced than hydrogen gas used to date to create gas from water. For example, hydrogen gas is obtained through electrolysis. Not only does this use a huge amount of energy to create the molecular process, it also requires high pressure storage and has a low fl ash point, making it very unstable. In comparison, pure distilled water
(H2 O) is broken down into H2 and O2
gases. Kinetic 7 patented technology reconstructs and converts water into molecular clusters, which are electrically
6 July/August 2022 | Automation
charged to create a constant oxidisation and friction. This makes the molecules vibrate, which in turn creates a very reactive gas, providing clean gas. “Kinetic 7 represents more than eight years of scientifi c research, development and tech innovation by a dedicated team of scientists and tech disruptors, all working to produce a clean energy source that is carbon-neutral, signifi cantly cheaper, stable and effi cient – but disruptive in every sense to the status quo,” said Rick Parish, Executive Chairman of investment incubator Aquarius Global that funds Voltage Enterprises’s R&D. Unlike hydrogen gas, Kinetic 7 is also inert, making it safe and controllable for domestic and industrial supply. Most
importantly, the cost savings it aff ords will be substantial against current gas and energy costs. “We anticipate Kinetic 7 will be 80% cheaper than current energy supplies,” said Parish.
The Kinetic 7 fl ame can be used for domestic energy supply in ambient heating, cooking and hot water heating. The gas can provide clean energy for industrial production, but also for heating and cooking from portable stoves in remote locations and developing countries without access to gas or energy. The Kinetic 7 generators will be manufactured in Europe. The current process of making the gas is both EU- approved and CE-certifi ed.
automationmagazine.co.uk
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