What difference does linear technology make in handling devices?

Electric handling devices offer a number of advantages over pneumatic handling systems. A compact design, low noise, and energy-saving operation are just a few of them. But for the devices to capitalise on these advantages, components must be correctly selected.

The conscientious selection of linear technology is especially important.The example of the MS-Maurawicz NS Speed shows in detail the advantages of electrically powered handling systems and how built-in linear technology can make a difference.

Advantages of electrically driven handling systems
Conventional assembly handling devices consist of at least two axes (X and Y axis) and possibly an additional Z axis. In the past in particular, pneumatic cylinders were often used as drives in linear handling, but these were expensive and took up space. Electric handling devices offer themselves as an alternative for various reasons. The NTS Ultra-Speed from AS-Morawski is a good example of this. The handling specialist has been using drylin linear guides without lubrication for decades.

The NTS Ultra-Speed from AS-Morawski has been designed for a compact and simple design that pneumatic systems cannot achieve. The development of the NTS Ultra-Speed also aimed for maintenance-free and energy-saving operation as well as cost-effective implementation when selecting components. At the same time, the electric handling device promises no loss of positioning accuracy at any desired length and at high operating speeds.

What is striking about the NTS Ultra-Speed is that it only has one drive unit. In addition, there are only two toothed belts, four toothed pulleys and three or four sensors. Conventional pneumatic drives, on the other hand, require two pneumatic cylinders, four throttle valves, four shock absorbers, two couplings, two switching valves, two solenoid coils, four sensors for cylinder sensing, six silencers, four screw connections and four hoses for the air. This makes the electric handling device up to 65 per cent smaller than previous systems. In addition, the length of the handling device is shorter (resulting from the stroke length plus the timing belt pulley diameter) and the significantly lower moving mass requires less drive energy.

In contrast to pneumatic handling devices, where every movement causes noise and exhaust air, electric drives work cleanly and very quietly and are more cost-effective to operate. They are also faster: there is no loss of time in the end positions, as is the case with pneumatic drives. The operating speed can be three to four times that of pneumatic handling devices.

As the material works in dry operation, the linear bearing systems do not need to be lubricated. Contamination from grease or oil is therefore a thing of the past. Likewise, ambient dust or abrasion during machining is no longer bound to the bearing point. This freedom from maintenance is an important condition for economical operation of the NTS Ultra-Speed and therefore complements the other saving factors.
In addition, unlike recirculating ball bushings, drylin systems do not depend on the length of the travel and do not impose any minimum stroke length requirements.