1st Quarter 2009Electrical switching & drive systems & components
The Spirit and Opportunity rovers have been making discoveries on the Red Planet since January 2004. Each is equipped with 39 maxon micromotors.
“The Mars Rovers are incredibly resilient, considering the extreme environment the hardware experiences every day,” said John Callas, project manager at Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the NASA agency responsible for the mission. Together, Spirit and Opportunity have driven more than 21 kilometres, climbed mountains, descended into craters and struggled through sand dunes.
Each Martian Rover is equipped with 39 maxon micromotors
The story so far…
The success of the mission has surpassed all expectations: the American Space Agency NASA originally expected these robots to be operational for just three months. But even after five years, the six-wheeled vehicles are still travelling around Mars and relaying exciting data back to Earth – so far, 36 gigabytes across distances of between 50 and 400 million kilometres, depending on the position of the planets.
Spirit landed in Gusev Crater on 4 January 2004 (CET). Scientists chose this landing site south of the Martian equator because they suspected a lake used to be located there. The aim of the mission was to prove that there used to be liquid water on Mars. Three weeks later, the twin craft, Opportunity, landed on Meridiani Planum on the opposite side of the planet. The two rovers, which are each 1,6 metres long and 1,5 metres high, were equipped with cameras, two spectrometers and a microscope for geological investigations. In March 2004 NASA first reported on rock formations that were believed to have been formed by water. Today it is assumed that there was liquid water on the surface of Mars for a long period of time.
maxon drives Mars Rovers
Each rover is equipped with 39 DC motors from the Swiss drive specialist maxon motor. The precision drives are used for driving the robotic arms, rock drilling, operating the cameras, the steering mechanism, and for the six wheels that drive the heavy vehicles (each weighing nearly 180 kg) over the planet’s surface.
The motors themselves are standard products with diameters of 20 and 25 mm that deliver an efficiency level of more than 90%. Minor modifications were required to enable them to cope with the harsh conditions. The equipment has to be able to withstand temperature changes on the surface of Mars, which can range from around -120°C to +25°C, vibrations and the special atmosphere.
The European Space Agency ESA will also be sending a rover to Mars in 2016 to search for signs of life. maxon motors will ensure that they have the right drives.
Control without complexity Axiom Hydraulics
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
In an era where precision, performance and smart control define industrial success, the right driver can make all the difference. At Axiom Hydraulics, we’ve seen firsthand how the Sun Hydraulics XMD series transforms hydraulic systems, from mining and construction to agriculture and automation.
Read more...Planetary gear units for high torque requirements SEW-EURODRIVE
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Packing a compact design, along with high torque and low-speed outputs, the new SEW PPK and SEW P2.e planetary gear units from SEW-EURODRIVE offer new capabilities in continuous heavy-duty applications where space is at a premium.
Read more...Medium voltage drive for enhanced energy efficiency and process optimisation Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Schneider Electric South Africa has unveiled its cutting-edge Altivar Process ATV6100 medium voltage (MV) drive range, designed to enhance energy efficiency and operational reliability across various industries.
Read more...Servicing the electric motor sector
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Hexagon Electrical has expanded its manufacturing and service capabilities to meet the growing demand for customised, high-performance specialised electric motors in heavy engineering, and hazardous industrial and mining applications.
Read more...Powerful high-precision hexapod
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
With the HEX150-125HL, Aerotech is launching the latest generation of its hexapod technology. The compact six-axis positioner combines precise movements with high load capacity and simple integration.
Read more...Why turbomachinery should break free from vendor lock-in Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Today’s modern turbomachinery control systems form an important of operational efficiency, be it in heavy industries, traditional power generation or renewables such as hydroelectric facilities. Independence is the name of the game, and turbomachinery stands to gain lot from this newfound freedom.
Read more...Industrial gear units for mixing and agitating processes Bearing Man Group T/A BMG
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Nord Drive Systems encompass modular drive configurations that ensure optimum performance of mechanical speed control for specific applications in almost every industry.
Read more...PC-based control for a food capsule and pod packaging machine Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
For TME, a machine builder specialising in the packaging of powdered foods, Beckhoff’s PC-based control technology offers unlimited opportunities when it comes to performance and innovative capacity in terms of flexibility, scalability and openness.
Read more...New torque sensors for fastening applications
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Sensor Technology, a global leader in innovative torque and load measurement solutions, has launched its latest advancement in torque sensing technology.
Read more...Miniature position sensor for precision motion control applications
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
The ILPS-13Z Series miniature linear variable inductive transducer position sensor is designed to deliver exceptional performance and reliability for a wide range of industrial and laboratory applications, including automotive R&D, motorsports, motion control, medical, military and aerospace.
printer friendly version