FEATURE Medical
Feature sponsored by
Acting with the fi nger on the pulse
Lean geared motors from Stober are a space-saving and robust drive solution suitable for sectors such as medical technology, automotive and aerospace
T
o depowder components after 3D printing, Solukon Maschinenbau develops depowdering systems – for example, the Solukon
SFM-AT350 for medium-sized parts. For the compact two-axis swivel system, mechanical engineers needed powerful, robust and space-saving drives. In addition to Lean bevel geared motors, Stober also supplied the extremely compact Lean planetary geared motor – an inexpensive and rugged alternative to synchronous servo motors.
The interiors of metal parts printed using the selective laser melting process are full of powder after the printing process, which must be removed. Before Solukon launched its systems, this was done manually by shaking, tapping or suctioning, which is even more diffi cult with complex-shaped components – particularly if there is a labyrinth of channels inside them.
Solukon develops, assembles and sells smart, highly-automated systems and associated peripheral equipment for post- processing in additive manufacturing. All depowdering systems are based on Solukon Smart Powder Recuperation technology (SPR): The powder is made fl owable by automated swivelling around two axes and systematic vibration excitation. Even very fi ne channels drain off reliably and in a controlled manner – and are then returned to the process. The SFM-AT350 is one of the latest depowdering system developments, launched late last year. It was developed
46 September 2022 | Automation
with the help of feedback by customers in the medical technology, automotive and aerospace industries.
The system is suitable for components weighing up to 60kg and up to 420mm high. Since the system’s turntable can rotate endlessly and the horizontal axis can simultaneously move up to 250 degrees, even complex rotation patterns can be easily programmed. Users benefi t from time savings of up to 90% compared to manual cleaning processes.
No encoder needed With the Stober Lean geared motor, speed and torque can be controlled from a stalled position to maximum speed with full torque control – and it operates completely without sensor elements. This also means that only a single-shielded standard power cable is required, which considerably reduces installation eff ort. Lean geared motors are well suited to automation tasks that involve rotation and vibration – as in Solukon’s depowdering system.
The encoderless concept of the Lean engine contributes to its high durability. Despite the absence of an encoder in the motor, the speed deviation is less than 1%, and the positioning accuracy is ±1.
Efficient double-axis controller At Solukon specifi cally, the Lean geared motors can be controlled with the SC6, a 45mm-wide drive controller with integrated power supply. The machine manufacturer uses this as a double-axis
Above: The Stober family – customers have everything from a single source
Right: The drive controller with integrated power
supply is only 45mm wide
controller with a nominal output current of up to 2 x 19A. The compact standalone device is suitable for drive-based applications with up to four axes. For functional safety, Stober developed the SU6 safety module, available optionally for the drive controllers. It off ers Solukon an economically attractive solution for STO and SS1 safety functions via the PROFIsafe protocol.
The SC6 will be used in safety-
instrumented systems up to SIL 3, PL e category 4. Designers can, for example, implement an emergency stop in accordance with EN 13850 – or avoid an unexpected start-up in accordance with EN 14118. The functionality of the controller’s communication interface is also PROFINET-certifi ed.
CONTACT:
STÖBER Antriebstechnik
www.stober.com
automationmagazine.co.uk
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