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| Direct driven linear servo motors for motion control applications | |||||||||
Direct driven linear servo motors have established themselves as the drive technology of choice for high performance motion control applications. Constantly increasing requirements have led manufacturers to opt for the direct drive approach. | |||||||||
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Focusing on activities with a lot of added value implies subcontracting some others to a third party. While a multi-axis motion system is usually the basis of the machine, selecting a reliable and experienced partner is decisive. The machines usually dedicated to highly complex processes rely on keeping the perfect command of many different aspects surrounding the motion platform itself. Algorithms for data acquisition and processing, vision systems, laser equipment, are some examples, to name but a few. More than ever before, R&D capacities must focus on innovation and process improvement while turnkey solutions are expected for the motion platform and control parts of the machines. In order to free some of their R&D capacities, more and more companies make the decision to partner with experienced motion system suppliers such as ETEL. Converting a machine process into motion system specifications is never an easy task. Engineers are often tempted to artificially tighten each and every specification for the sake of sleeping better at night. Selecting the right motion system partner is of key importance during the definition phase to help machine manufacturers define complete, detailed and fair specifications. While the motion system part of the machine becomes motion system supplier’s full responsibility, different approaches can be foreseen depending on the application overall requirements. It is often too simplistic to consider only technical requirements as specifications. Very important aspects like risk assessment, reliability, interchangeability, modularity, upgradability, time to prototype, are often neglected although they can quickly become killing factors for the whole project. A fully customized approach consists of designing a system starting from a white piece of paper. While this approach certainly guarantees an optimized solution, it has to be reserved for applications with very low cost/performance targeted ratio. This approach does not usually make sense for low volumes since development costs are often quite important. In the case of a fully customized 3-axis motion platform designed for a die bonding machine, the dimensional constraints and the cost/performance ratio were the two critical specifications that only a fully customized approach could fulfil. In this design, the XY and YZ subassemblies are a "three piece design" leading to a compact, stiff and cost engineered solution. The standard system designs are based on the expertise acquired previously from a variety of custom system developments. The main difference compared to a fully custom design is that the technical risk associated with the technology is completely known since they have been used successfully for years. Moreover, by definition, a standard product is incorporated by multiple users generating combined annual quantities that will have a drastic impact on the product price and development cost amortization. Once developed and produced in quantity, a standard system can easily be customized to fulfil specific needs, to a custom specific design. In this case, the basis of the design is a standard platform but modifications are made in order to accommodate the customer’s needs. Standard systems have no chance of success if they are not based on a thorough product definition. The whole DynX family has been defined upfront to guarantee the coverage of the targeted markets. The product definition has been based on a careful SWOT analysis of all major competing products and on the study of all requests received over the past 10 years. This results in a wide product range with various options and accessories covering the needs of many demanding markets such as precision automation, electronics, semiconductor, printing, scanning, medical, and laboratory automation to name but a few. With the versatility and flexibility of the DynX series high precision positioning systems, demanding applications can benefit from high reliability, increased throughput, accuracy, easy integration and low maintenance. The DynX family is composed of: three different sizes of direct driven linear axes, three different sizes of rotary direct driven axes, a high precision ball screw driven axis for vertical applications and a beam dedicated to gantry applications. The standard systems allow minimizing the risks on critical specifications, shortening the overall project timeframe, and reducing the development costs. It permits to better assess risks, improves the flexibility, servicing, and maintenance and helps the machine builder to concentrate on its real added value.
Case study #1: An example of fully standard axes in a custom specific assembly
Case study #2: a standard adapted to long travel axes
Case study #3: A motion system platform mixing fully standard and customized products These examples illustrate that with a comprehensive line of standard stages, competitive and performing solutions can be provided, that will meet the technical requirements and address the surrounding important topics of structure optimization, upgradability, reliability, short time to prototype, and low development costs. | |||||||||
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