FEATURE Drives, controls & motors
Improving machine performance
F
ounded in 1985, Electron Engineering Services is a machine tool company specialising in machine refurbishment and CNC retrofi tting, including re-
engineering, re-manufacture and retrofi t. It has customers across the UK, Europe and the US, and has worked with many industry names, including Butler, Schiess, Asquith, Heidenhain, Noble & Lund, Skoda, DSG and Boehringer, among others. Electron was retrofi tting a grinding machine, to turn it into an accurate grinder by installing servo systems instead of hydraulics. The company turned to Apex Dynamics and its range of precision planetary gearboxes for high precision and high torque gearboxes, selecting the AB115 and the PAII115 for the job.
The challenge As part of the project, Electron determined that it needed a precision planetary gearbox fi tted to the servo in order to get more accurate performance from the grinding machine and higher torque from a smaller motor. Good availability of parts was essential for timely delivery of the fi nal machine design as Electron had previously encountered problems with other components as a result of supply chain shortages. Other key considerations included high levels of customer support, availability of 3D models for design, and assistance with calculations, in order to meet the project deadlines.
The solution To meet Electron’s needs, Apex Dynamics designed a solution that comprised the AB115 and PAII115 gearboxes. The AB115 is part of Apex Dynamics’s highest-precision, highest- torque range, specifi cally designed for accuracy, whilst the compact, lightweight PAII115 is an economy precision planetary gearbox, with accuracy of less than six arc minutes and reduced backlash. The combination of the two precision planetary gearboxes provided the ideal solution for the Electron project.
The benefits
By installing in-line planetary gearboxes on servo axes, Electron was able to use a much smaller motor in the grinding machine to get similar torque and thrust, yet with lower backlash and quieter operation. Collaboration
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Apex Dynamics AB115 gearbox
between the two companies’ engineers allowed Electron to keep on track with the project plan. Working with Apex Dynamics resulted in a more accurate grinding machine, with the servo planetary gearboxes contributing low backlash and high precision to the machine tool axes. ‘Build-to-stock’ manufacturing means Apex Dynamics products are always in stock, and the company makes sure they get to customers on time, with a 2-3 week lead time. With the new setup, Electron saved on costs and improved its performance. The Apex Dynamics gearboxes were easy to incorporate into Elektron’s design, with support from customer services in the form of 3D models and assistance with calculations. “We have a very experienced team of machine tool guys and this was a big job, involving a complete system redesign,” says Phillip Denison, Senior Mechanical Designer at Electron Engineering Services. “Having used Apex Dynamics products for some time now, they are really good at what they do and they understand what we do, helping when needed with things like calculations and 3D models. We are now at the point where if we need a gearbox we’re on the phone to Apex and they are part of our considerations when we face design challenges.”
He continues: “The fast delivery times are
really important to us. We have 6-10 months to turn a machine around, so we can’t wait long for the delivery of a gearbox. Apex have it well under control. We were really pleased with the levels of service for this project, as we got good products, at a good price, with good customer support and good delivery!”
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