Plug and Play Motors: A Case History Selection Process

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Today's global manufacturing operations run 24/7, requiring exact replication of products and processes in all regional settings. To remain profitable providing competitive products and services, any operation must maximize uptime and productivity while ensuring dependability and quality. In addition, regardless of industry or marketplace, industrial applications require flexible manufacturing systems that enhance reliability while minimizing downtime. Given the challenges in this global competition, only the most disciplined manufacturing operations can survive, largely by following proven manufacturing practices that deliver high quality, reliable products within cost effective environments.

Operating within these challenging market conditions, design engineers cite numerous criteria when selecting motors across a broad range of applications. Design decisions may turn on a single (or combination of multiple) criteria such as cost, torque, speed and power, reliability and durability, unit size, space utilization and installation hindrances, heat dispersion and temperature control, energy efficiency along with noise levels and adherence to project specifications and requirements.

Partners in Success

In one unique design challenge, Asten, a Brazilian manufacturer, sought a motor worthy of its ambitious plans to develop new products for the dental, agricultural, fitness and medical markets. After rigorous vendor review, the company asked Bosch's Industrial Business division to deliver the CEP motor F006.WM0.310. Their decision was based on superior product performance and the suppliers breadth and depth of engineering support. Working together, the partners assembled dual engineering teams and developed exacting technology to further refine the CEP motor in a linear actuator assembly designed to drive dental chair position according to customer specifications.

Together Asten and Bosch engineering teams developed a linear actuator assembly composed of Bosch's DC electric motor (24V DC), a spindle and a drive bushing. The actuator was tested and approved for 6.000 Nm or 600 Kg. This DC motor (F006.WM0.310) is the most robust DC motor in the CEP family, with 48 Nm at 45 RPM. After final operational verification testing was complete, the linear actuator assembly was sold to regional and global markets confirming superior operation.

Based upon initial success in penetrating new markets with the dental chair, the partners decided to explore other possible applications for DC motors. Under joint design and development, the CEP motor was integrated into Asten manufacturing operations, to enable the creation of new products housing a DC motor improving performance across a new set of medical, fitness and dental applications. Further success has been realized through the development of an expanding product line including: adjustable hospital beds, surgical tables, mats for cardiac evaluation and evolving new products customized according to client specifications.

A Powerful Dual Advantage

While Asten manufacturing has traditionally enjoyed a technically sound and well-established engineering operation in Brazil, the partnership with Bosch has added a new and powerful global dimension to their manufacturing operations. Together the teams project engineering depth, manufacturing strength, new product innovation, reliable technology and global reach for a rapidly expanding customer base across a growing set of industrial applications. Besides the engineering advancements, the DC motor linear actuators deliver lower power consumption; low noise level compared with AC motors and hydraulic systems, fewer maintenance requirements, lower electromagnetic emission within CE certification, ecologically advanced operation and reduced overall cost of ownership to a rapidly growing new customer base.