Fast brushless DC linear actuator.

New brushless DC linear actuator series from maxon motor.

This new combination linear actuator features a useful mixture of fast movements, high torque and holding ability. A precision ground metric thread and nut assembly can be customised to suit individual application mounting requirements. The unit pictured below has an external thread for mounting the load and an internal thread for traversing the spindle with a stainless steel and brass combination suiting the application running characteristics. Ceramic and plastic materials are also available. This is also the first such unit imported into Australia with the new EC-i 30mm brushless DC motor. The linear actuator is held in an amalgamated bearing block with radial and axial bearings contained inside a planetary gearhead end flange. This reduces the size and eliminates many alignment issues associated with standalone ball screws and bearing blocks. The new series features speeds of up to 386mm/s and linear forces up to 2700N. The linear actuation length and system operating voltages are all changeable and high resolution encoders enable positioning. The EC-i actuation system represents a cost reduction from exiting brushless solutions further widening the use of the devices into general engineering machinery and manufacturing equipment.

For more information contact maxon motor Australia tel. +61 2 9457 7477.

DC motor positioning controller with additional benefits.

There are additional connectivity options with maxon’s positioning controller, the EPOS4.

The addition of an expansion board now allows maxon positioning controller, the EPOS4, to be integrated into any EtherCAT network as a slave using the CoE standard (CAN application layer over EtherCAT). The EtherCAT card developed for this use can be combined with the EPOS4 controllers in a housing, as well as with all EPOS4 modules. The benefits widen the applications where compact positioning controllers are needed, for example where short cycle times are important in synchronized multi-axis systems.

EPOS4 controllers are suitable for controlling both brushed and brushless DC motors. They are known for their high power density and excellent value for money. For more information about maxon’s EPOS controllers, please visit epos.maxonmotor.com or tel. +61 2 9457 7477.

Powerful zero backlash servo gear motor.

Brushless DC (BLDC) servomotor, zero backlash gearhead, holding brake and high resolution encoder combination drive offers high torque levels without compromising positioning accuracy.

This servo motor and gearhead combination recently released by maxon motor Australia can produce 364Nm with a peak torque rating at the output of 686Nm. Fitted with both an encoder and a holding brake inside the IP rated motor’s rear enclosure the combination can move heavy loads into position and make sure they stay there. The high acceleration of the brushless DC motor with top grade Neodymium magnets enables a zero to 2600rpm speed change in under 4ms. Being both brushless DC and also slotless gives the motor zero cogging or position detent for smooth position transitions and low speed performance. The solid construction and sealed nature of the motor drive components makes it suitable for mining, food, process control and manufacturing environments. Customisation of the motor and gearhead features is possible and both 24 and 48V DC supplies can be used. The unit is compatible with standard Servoamplifier and position controllers from maxon motor.

For more information contact maxon motor Australia Tel. +61 2 9457 7477.

Brisbane Boys College creating robots and beating experts at their own game

Created by Year 12 students from Brisbane are soccer-playing machines that achieved first place at famed international competition, RoboCup.

Brisbane Boy’s College (BBC) has a dedicated robotics program with teams participating in regional, state, national, Asia-Pacific and international Robotic competitions. In 2017, five participants from BBC formed a team and visited Nagoya, Japan for the annual RoboCup competition. And they beat the best of the best with their soccer-playing robot.

Weighing just over 1 kg, the robots had to be remotely operated meaning everything had to be programmed and no human touch was allowed. To win the world superteam champions lightweight category for under-19s, the boys’ robots acted as either goalie or striker against, and with, machines from other countries. The Chinese team had the fastest robots and received the highest score for gameplay but Australia won on accuracy and coding. Maxon DCX motors and gearheads are in the wheels of the robot. Maxon motor Australia is a proud supporter of BBC.

Team captain and ex-soccer player, Lachlan Grant, said the programming and circuit board building was extremely complex, and it was nice to see their win make news for the school, traditionally renowned for rugby and tennis. Master in Charge Colin Noy said the boys’ skills were so good the school gets former students, now at university, to coach instead of teachers. “In fact, one European university lecturer attending the championships told us the programming level of our students was higher than most of his Masters students,” Mr Noy said.

“Our robots were to the most responsive and most accurate in the competition.”

To watch the BBC robots at play click on this YouTube link. For more information on DC motors in robotic applications contact maxon motor Australia tel. +61 2 9457 7477.

Robots for playing soccer through to disaster relief

At the international RoboCup, maxon motors featured in robots playing soccer and in mock recovery operations.

At the end of July 2017, more than 3,000 participants from 42 countries participated in the annual RoboCup competition held in Nagoya, Japan.

maxon had inbuilt motors and controllers in a rescue robot developed by the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences that placed seventh out of 20 competitors. Scoring high marks for the light design and system approach, the robot contained several DC motor, gearbox and encoder combinations. Using the EC-4 pole brushless motor with 200W power as a base, the motor operated the chains propelling the robot forward. The camera arm of the robot also contained eight maxon DEC 50/5 modules on circuit boards and four 70/10 ESCON controllers for the gripper arm. The machines acted in a simulated disaster scenario carrying out rescue operations and were evaluated based on their performance.

At the other end of the contest was the Soccer finale, with the two competing robots both containing maxon drives. The University of Bonn developed an 18kg, 135 cm robot supported by an exoskeleton that was 3D printed called “NimbRo”. Maxon DC motors were integrated into an actuator drive system developed by a South Korean company. The competitor’s robot, named “Sweaty” and developed by Offenburg University, contained 24 maxon DC motors and gearheads. 18 of these drives were fitted with an overload motor controller and a further two were fitted with an evaporative cooling system to prevent overheating. This cooling system is similar to the way humans sweat hence the name “Sweaty”. NimbRo won 11-1.

For more information on DC motors to develop robotic applications contact maxon motor Australia tel. +61 2 9457 7477.

New! complete drive systems for mechanical doors

An integrated DC motor, motor controller and sensor unit has been developed by maxon motor for use in sliding door systems.

Maxon have developed a compact drive unit for use in elevator doors, public transport, sliding doors or machine tools. Consisting of an EC90 flat brushless DC motor, with integrated mile encoder and an EPOS 2 position controller set within a single die cast carrier. Available in two options, both with 24V DC motor, the mdd1 offers 96mNm torque and 2000 rpm. The mdd2 has 730 rpm and up to 291 mNm torque. The modules can also be tailored to customer specific requirements.

For more information please contact maxon motor Australia on tel. +61 2 9457 7477.

maxon DC motor / gearhead combination in V8 race car engines.

maxon motor UK subsidiary supplies DC motor combinations in V8 engines of race cars that competed at Le Mans in 2017.

maxon UK customer, Gibson Technology, created, developed and manufactured a new 4.2 litre V8 engine. The race car engine specialist depended on the performance and reliability of maxon DC motor and gearhead assemblies in each of their engines.

The environment of the motors is particularly harsh, subjected to high vibration and extreme heat cycles. The DC motor system is responsible for the throttle actuation in the Gibson engine and was exclusively designed for endurance racing, so it is vital that the DC motor drive system is reliable and hard wearing. Put simply, if the motor fails the engine stops. The combination used by Gibson Technologies is a modified and customised product.

Throughout Le Mans race week maxon’s DC motors successfully travelled a total of 143,449.03 km’s over 719 hours, 27 minutes. That is the equivalent of three-and-a-half times around the world. In 2017 Gibson engines competed in four prestigious endurance racing events: the FIA Word Endurance Championship, the Le Mans 24 Hours, the European Le Mans Series and the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship. To the surprise of many, two LMP2 cars came second and third place in the Le Mans 24 Hours and 14 out of the top 16 cars were Gibson powered. Across the LMP2 category Gibson had 25 cars on the grid, the largest number ever for a single engine manufacturer.

For more information please contact maxon motor Australia tel. + 61 2 9457 7477 or maxon motor UK +44 1189 733337.

About Gibson Technology Gibson Technology was nominated for a number of awards and won ‘Race Engine Designer of the Year’ at Race Technology Magazine’s World Motorsport Symposium. Significantly, having seen the achievements in 2017, the company has been approached to provide the Dragonspeed LMP1 team, and another two car LMP1 team the name of which will be announced shortly, in the FIA Word Endurance Championship with a newly developed GL458 engine for 2018 and 2019. LMP1 cars are the most powerful cars in endurance racing. They have size restrictions on length, width, and fuel tank capacity and are fitted with homologated fuel flow meters, which constrains both fuel energy per lap and maximum instantaneous fuel flow. This will be more of a technical challenge with the focus being on gaining efficiency and control of the engine. A challenge Gibson is more than ready to take on – watch this space! www.gibsontech.co.uk

maxon motor covers 100% of energy usage through renewable systems

According to maxon Environmental Officer, Olaf Karkoska, 92% of energy comes from hydroelectric power and 8% through photovoltaics.

A bird’s-eye view shows the large photovoltaic installations covering the roof of the HQ buildings. Photovoltaic systems generate environmentally friendly energy both at Sachseln and at the production site in Sexau, Germany. The energy is used for production purposes, as part of maxon’s environmental management system. In 2016, 354,400 kWh were generated from pure solar energy at the headquarters. As a comparison, a typical household will consume approximately 3500 kWh of power annually.

Maxon is currently building their Innovation Centre (swissness.maxonmotor.com) and incorporating solar panels on the roof. This translates to another 180,000 kWh of renewable power annually. Last year, maxon needed 4.5 GWh of power at the headquarters, that equals approx. 5000 lightbulbs that are on continuously every day of the year. In light of this, maxon replaces fluorescent tubes with LED technology, to further reduce energy consumption. The solar systems are part of a long list of measures that are consistently implemented within the maxon group. This includes the use of two groundwater wells that provide most of the energy required for heating, cooling and ventilation. As well, at all production sites, chemicals are replaced with environmentally compatible products wherever possible.

For more information contact maxon motor Australia tel. +61 2 9457 7477.