3rd Quarter 2010Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Festo recently launched the EGC electric drive range that features a radically new profile design.
The company claims that the new axes perform between 100% and 700% better than previous generation counterparts and also cost 10% less. Festo looked at Leonardo da Vinci’s Cupola arch for inspiration.
“The main body of every EGC axis is constructed from extruded aluminium, with a unique cross-sectional shape that incorporates an internal arch shaped structure. This feature gives unprecedented rigidity and load bearing capabilities for very low mass,” explains Ernst Smith, Festo’s product manager – electronic.
Feed forces as high as 3000 N and speeds of up to 5 m/s, as well as new levels of acceleration and torque resistance, make them ideal for use in gantry type materials handling and transporting systems.
The moving carriage is fitted with high performance caged ball bearings, and the fully sealed bearing cassette has grease pockets for optimal lubrication. The top face of the aluminium carriage is fitted with helicoils and centring holes to facilitate fast and accurate load mounting.
A choice of toothed belt or ballscrew drive mechanisms enables optimal matching to application needs. “Unlike most competitive products, the axes’ stainless steel guide rail is mounted externally, allowing the moving carriage to accommodate large cantilever and offset loads that apply very high moments of torque to the carriage,” says Smith.
The toothed belt version of the EGC axis is available with a choice of profiles from 50 mm to 185 mm, and the three largest models can be supplied with standard stroke lengths of up to 8,5 m. Different models within this range are capable of generating feed forces as high as 2500 N and of handling speeds up to 5 m/s and acceleration rates up to 50 m/s².
Another advantage of the EGC-toothed belt versions’ external guide arrangement is that it needs smaller belt pulleys, often removing the need for a gearbox. The unique cover opening and securing mechanism enable belt replacing without dismantling the axis, speeding up maintenance and lowering service costs.
“The ballscrew version of the EGC axes is particularly useful in short cycle time applications that demand high feed forces and accurate and repeatable positioning. The spindle is designed for low noise, and the body of the axis is fitted with a non-metallic, clip in cover band to protect it from contaminants,” concludes Smith.
The new EGC axes are easy to install. A hollow drive pinion, plus a new design of elastomer motor coupling featuring an expanding shaft, ensures a simple, backlash-free connection.
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