Hypoid gear set
By employing this hypoid gear, engineers can create a compact, right-angle gearbox with a 15:1 reduction ratio. A 3:1 bevel and 5:1 planetary combination will achieve the same reduction, but the path from input to output is longer. Worm gear drives permit high reduction in small spaces, but offer lower efficiencies.
The Dyna Series, in contrast, offers a 93% efficiency at 15:1, making it comparable to a planetary-bevel combination, without the bulk. What's more, the new design accepts multiple output shafts or hollow bore shafts, and is back driveableimportant for such applications as converting, metal forming, and material handling.
| The Dyna Series gearbox occupies 30% less space. Computer-calculated teeth profiles permit a 15:1 reduction ratio. |
Craig Van Den Avont, Gam Gear; 733 W. Wilson Ave., Chicago, IL 60656; Tel: (708) 887-5000.
Mix and match
Usually, when engineers create a 2-axis motion system, they use the same power medium on both axes. Thanks to a new mounting technique, engineers can now easily mix pneumatic components with electrically-powered ball screws.
Known as NuMate, the mounting technique incorporates a series of linear slides and ball screw gantries with integrated, counterbored, and tapped mounting holes. These aligning holes eliminate the need for a custom adapter plate, and prevent users from drilling holes in the wrong locations.
For designers who don't need the precision of a ball screw on both axes, the new mounting system can dramatically cut the design time and costs of two axis systems.
| The NuMate mounting technique allows creation of a two-axis system using an electric ball screw gantry and a pneumatic linear slide. |
Jeff Scheid, Numation; 1324 Chester Industrial Pkwy., Avon, OH 44011; Tel: (440) 934-3200.
Encapsulated stepper stator
DuPont Engineering Polymers teamed up with Pacific Scientific to develop a way to make stators for stepper motors that increases manufacturing productivity, while improving motor reliability. The trick: encapsulating the stators with a thermoplastic polyester resin, and performing the feat in a single injection-molding step. As the mold fills with engineering polymer, the windings are encapsulated, the front-end bell becomes an integral part of the assembly, and the rear-end bell and receptacle are formed.
Replacing time-consuming epoxy potting and other assembly operations with 30% glass-fiber-reinforced Rynite® PET (polyethylene terephthalate) encapsulation protects stator windings against vibration and contamination; forms an integral end bell including encoder-mounting provisions; and encloses lead connections in a rugged, long-lasting housing.
Changing from epoxy to Rynite yields cycle-time reductions as well. Potting with epoxy took two hours, including two curing cycles in ovens. Encapsulation with the PET takes just 45 seconds. The change of encapsulation method also eliminated the need for 11 parts.
In addition, thanks to the insulating effect of the encapsulation, the end bell, where the encoder mounts, runs more than 30C cooler than the aluminum bell formerly used. Standard POWERMAX II motors come in half, single, and two stacks that provide holding torque from 42 to 253 oz-in.
| Injection molding of the front end bell/stator assembly boosts Powermax II’s reliability, saves space, and keeps costs in check. |
Don Neumann, Pacific Scientific, 4301 Kishwaukee St., Rockford, IL, 61105-0106; Tel: (815) 226-3078; Fax: (815) 226-3080; E-mail: don_neumann@atg.pacsci.com.
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