topic area Drives
Positioning, Clocking, Rotating
Expert-Tünkers provides the impetus for automated production.
Rising costs, disruptions to supply chains, new demands on workers, the intensification of work sequences and also sustainability goals: In recent years, there have been various triggers for a feeling of urgency for innovations in manufacturing. Many manufacturers, for example in vehicle construction, mechanical engineering or in the food or pharmaceutical industries, are faced with the challenge of making product development more efficient and faster and setting up production in a flexible and at the same time precise manner. "Systems that maximize performance and efficiency are the key to lasting profitability and competitiveness. Smooth production therefore also means relying on automation solutions for positioning, cycling and turning. To do this, manufacturers need products that meet high demands in terms of cycle times and precision," says Christian Heyer, Managing Director of Expert-Tünkers.
Rotary drives for fast movement and precise positioning
Rotary drives are an elementary transport component in the manufacturing process: for example, for the fast movement and precise positioning of products, raw materials and workpieces, maintaining high rotation speeds and turning heavy loads. The main focus is on step-by-step turning and positioning, for example to feed workpieces into the production cell by means of a 180-degree movement. Rotary indexing tables also play an important role - for work sequences that are arranged in a circle. "Rotary drives should be suitable for both the classic horizontal application and for space-saving vertical use as a drum drive. This is not only important for efficient use of space in company production, but several tools can also be kept ready in a drum system for flexible production," reports Heyer.
More power for innovative manufacturing technologies
For companies with increased demands on precision and repeatability, fixed-pitch rotary tables with stepper drives for rotary movements are suitable, for example. The complete motion profile with acceleration, braking and angular pitch can be realized using a custom-made cam roller. Classic applications of two, three or four divisions with cycle times between two and six seconds are possible. In contrast to fixed pitch tables, flexible rotary tables have a drive roller with a constant pitch and thus an unchanged reduction ratio between the motor and the rotary plate.
The motion sequence is determined exclusively by the corresponding control of the servo motor. Flexible rotary tables also allow workpieces, materials and products of different properties and weights to be moved quickly and precisely. "High-performance rotary tables can also move, rotate and precisely position heavy loads of up to several tons in the shortest possible time. Modern rotary tables such as our EDH+ series sometimes have a torque that is over 60 percent higher due to multiple bolt engagement than components with a comparable design. This enables axial loads to be moved easily and precisely - from around 9,500 to 13,000 kilograms with the same size," explains Heyer.
Increasing demands on rotary tables
Continuously increasing customer loads and shorter cycle times, however, require the further development of rotary tables. "We therefore build the double-roller rotary tables in our EDC series in a compact size with double the output torque. The table tops in these products are driven by two spiral rollers. Mechanical synchronizations already integrated in the housing enable both rollers to be driven via a plug-on servo motor. This means that it can not only be replaced more quickly in the event of maintenance, but can also be positioned individually according to customer requirements," explains Heyer. The use of an additional drive shaft can be a maintenance-friendly solution, especially when using cranked or large tool structures.