Drive
engineering plays an important role in the automation of machines,”
said Dr. Jorg Leonhardt, CEO of Innovation Management, SEW-Eurodrive at
the recent PackExpo show, Chicago. “Drives effect energy consumption,
machine availability, maintenance costs, and startup times.” These are
some of the reasons SEW-Eurodrive is incorporating the following design
trends into their product lines: decentralized control, mechatronic
design, and contactless energy transfer.
According to Dr.
Leonhardt, mechatronics is the synergy between electronic and
mechanical technologies. It’s about putting more intelligence into all
devices. “Mechatronics holds great promise as an engineering approach,”
continued Leonhardt. “It enables us to build intelligence into what
have traditionally been thought of as “dumb” mechanical devices like
motors and reducers. We think mechanical devices will continue to
incorporate electronic sensors and controls inside for self-monitoring
and operation.”
Even though mechanical and electrical engineers
take different approaches to design, they can work together. “It’s an
educational process now,” said Leonhardt. “However, manufacturers can
speed this process by focusing on the benefits of exploiting the
synergies between mechanical and electrical views, such as that
demonstrated by motor and drive combinations. Paired systems, with the
drive pre-programmed with all the details of the motor saves time. And
by miniaturizing components, we reduce their cost.”
MoviGear
is the company’s first mechatronic offering, combining motor, gear,
drive electronics and communication in one device. Movitrans offers
contactless energy transfer needed for more reliable and economical
mobile applications. It replaces conventional contact rails or cabling
in mobile material handling systems. The DS/CM synchronous servomotors
achieve high dynamics with lower energy costs. This line of synchronous
servomotors handle standstill torques from 1 to 68 Nm, with peak
performance ratings to 238 Nm. High-energy magnets on the CM motor
deliver overload capacity of 400% standstill current. Acceleration
torque is three to five times the static torque for all sizes.
SEW-Eurodrive www.eurodrive.com
:: Design World ::
Filed Under: Mechatronics, Motors • servo