WOOD DALE, IL - The Danaher Motion Group has
developed an innovative solution for installation in confined spaces
where a relatively long stroke is required: the Direct Drive Telescope –
or DDT for short. The DDT, which has just recently been patented,
combines the full hydraulic cylinder operation with the advantages of an
electrical direct drive. In addition to shallow installation with
maximum stroke length and torque, it also offers a high dynamic response
and easy installation. An extended rotor – part of the patent – picks
up the linear movement of the drive spindle smoothly and without play,
thus increasing the efficiency and precision of the solution.
At the heart of the patented system are two spindles with
diametrically opposed pitch nested in each other, which move in and out
telescopically. As a result and thanks to the electrical direct drive,
which provides maximum torque in a minimum amount of space, the depth of
the Danaher Motion product is only half that of a conventional solution
with the same stroke length. In addition, the DDT is very easy to
install. As there are no rotating parts to connect to the customer
assembly – unlike in conventional solutions – the customer does not need
to provide complex bearing assemblies. Installation is also simplified
by the integrated multi-turn shaft encoder. This component, which is
responsible for positioning the system and feedback for the motor
controller, eliminates the need for additional modules to connect the
DDT to the control unit. The multi-turn shaft encoder also eliminates
the need for homing when starting the machine.
In addition, the Danaher Motion solution also offers a very high
dynamic response. As only the outer spindle is rotated, but not the
inner spindle, the mass moved is considerably lower when compared to
basic spindles with the same stroke length. In this way higher rates of
acceleration can be achieved than with conventional solutions. As the
mechanical components are also used as internal motor parts, e.g. the
rotating part of the telescopic spindle also acts as the motor shaft,
this reduces the number of bearing assemblies required to a minimum,
increases the level of efficiency and makes the system cost-effective.
The Danaher Motion telescopic screw drive is available with a
stroke length of 140 mm and a maximum force of 35 kN. A speed of 0.6 m/s
can be achieved, the net service life is around 20,000 hours. Further
sizes are planned and under development for customer-specific solutions.
About Danaher Motion
Danaher Motion is a leading global manufacturer of motion
control products that improve the efficiency and productivity of complex
manufacturing operations. Danaher Motion's product innovations have
been revolutionising the motion control industry through trusted brand
names including Kollmorgen, Thomson, Dover, Portescap and Pacific
Scientific. Danaher Motion's co-ordinated precision technology is used
within a wide range of industrial contexts, including in semiconductors
and robotics, aeronautics and medical engineering as well as in the
automotive, plastics and packaging industries.
Further information is available at: http://www.danahermotion.de/
© Danaher Motion/Industrie-Contact 2005.
No fee for publication (but please notify Industrie-Contact).
Thomson Linear Motion Optmized
