2nd Quarter 2019Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Beckhoff is opening up new avenues in machine design with XPlanar. This is made possible by planar movers that float freely above arbitrarily arranged planar tiles and enable extremely flexible, precise and dynamic positioning. For machine builders this results in maximum flexibility and simplification in the design of machines and plants.
The XPlanar system combines the individual arrangement of planar tiles with the multidimensional positioning capability of the planar movers floating above them. The movers can be moved jerk-free and contact-free in two dimensions at up to 4 m/s with 2 g acceleration and 50 m positioning repeatability – noiselessly and without abrasion.
The planar motor system is highly scalable to suit individual needs and considerably simplifies the design of machines and plants. Due to the maximum flexibility in mover positioning and the very high dynamics it is possible, for example, to divide product flows very simply and individually, so that previously needed robots or inflexible mechanical devices can be efficiently replaced. The contact-free mover travel also eliminates wear, emissions and the carryover of contamination.
Flexible and versatile motion functions
The basis of the XPlanar system is the planar tiles, which measure 240 x 240 mm and can be arranged in any desired geometry that is precisely adapted to the application at hand. The tiles contain the entire electronics and support EtherCAT G communication. A freely selectable number of planar movers floats above them, made possible by integrated permanent magnets. The movers can be used not only horizontally, but also vertically and even upside down.
There is a choice of four different planar mover types:
• The 95 x 95 mm small mover for payloads of up to 0.4 kg
• The 155 x 155 mm standard mover for payloads of up to 1,5 kg
• The 155 x 275 mm long mover for payloads of up to 3 kg
• The 275 x 275 mm big mover for payloads of up to 6 kg
The two-dimensional X/Y positioning of the movers is supplemented by further motion functions:
• Lifting and lowering by up to 5 mm, an optionally included weighing function
• Tilting by up to 5° for transporting and handling liquids
• Rotation by up to ±15° or up to 360° above special planar tiles
The collision-free and synchronised movement of several movers with automatic path optimisation are further features provided by the TwinCAT automation software. The movement of several movers together in a group, for example, allows the maximum payload to be increased.
Suitable for the widest range of applications
XPlanar is suitable for use as a highly flexible transport system in general machine building, especially for the automation of packaging, assembly, sorting and order picking processes. The free choice of surfaces – easy to clean glass, stainless steel in hygienic design or plastic film – enables use in a clean room and in the pharmaceutical and food industries, as well as in a vacuum.
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