June 2019

TECHNOLOGY n 17 www.drivesncontrols.com June 2019 AT THE RECENT Hannover Fair, Schaeffler presented a series of ironless linear motors which have been designed to reduce the mass of the primary part without compromising drive forces. The UPLplus motors are aimed, in particular, at applications where the maximum acceleration of linear drives has previously been limited by the relatively large proportion of the rotor mass to the total moving mass. To tackle this, Schaeffler prints the motors’ forcer coils on circuit boards, resulting in extremely light primary parts. Force-to-mass ratios are said to be 45% higher than similar ironless linear motors. Schaeffler’s engineers also reduced the mass of the secondary parts, improving acceleration and positioning times in multi-axis systems. In pilot projects, it was found that smaller versions of the new motors could be used in existing applications to achieve the same performance. This allowed the use of smaller-profile axes, while the lower masses resulted in a significant increase in acceleration. Machine throughput was also boosted, and cycle times reduced. Linear axes using the UPLplus motors are said to achieve an average increase in performance density of up to 40% compared to similar linear motors from other manufacturers. The new motors will be available in three sizes with active part heights of 30, 60 and 80mm, and up to five primary part lengths. Peak forces range from 120–1,450N and nominal forces from 30–300 N. Parallel arrangements are possible if the force range needs to be extended in an axially restricted design envelope. The U-shaped secondaries are available in lengths from 90–390mm. Because of their simple design, the drives can be adapted easily to adjacent structures. The U shape means that the attracting forces cancel each other out, making it particularly easy to implement systems with air bearings. The UPLplus motors will operate with standard frequency converters and at the corresponding intermediate circuit voltages. This ensures that they can be integrated easily into a wide range of applications.  At Hannover, Schaeffler announced that it was renaming its Idam (INA Drives & Mechatronics) division as Schaeffler Industrial Drives. www.schaeffler-industrial-drives.de Ironless linear motors boost force-to-mass ratios by up to 45% “The U shape means that the attracting forces cancel each other out, making it particularly easy to implement systems with air bearings.” ICONICS, THE SOFTWARE developer recently acquired by Mitsubishi, has developed a voice interface for machinery that allows users to perform tasks such as starting and stopping equipment, adjusting setpoints, and viewing work orders, without looking away from what they’re doing or lifting a finger. The Genesis64 Voice Machine Interface (VMI) allows them to use natural spoken commands to boost productivity and improve operational efficiency. Iconics says that the interface makes it easy to issue voice commands in a choice of languages.“Digital assistants may be commonplace in homes around the world,” says the company’s president and CEO, Russ Agrusa,“but we are only just starting to see them emerge in the workplace. Iconics’new VMI technology enables our customers to bring the benefits of those assistants to their plant, facility, office, or even with them on the go to explore their data in newways they never thought possible.” The interface integrates with popular voice assistant technologies, such as those from Amazon, Microsoft, and Google. Through Iconics’Workbench software, users can create “skills” that work via these developers’ cloud services and voice interactivity technologies, including Amazon Web Services for Alexa, and Google Actions for Google Home/Assistant. www.iconics.com Now you can tell a machine when you want it to start Schaeffler’s U-shaped linear motors reduce themass of the primary without compromising drive forces Iconics’Genesis64VoiceMachine Interface brings voice commands, already familiar from these domestic devices, to the factory floor