Third Quarter 2004Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Access Control & Identity Management
The Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) project near Sutherland in the Northern Cape will maintain a steady gaze while the earth rotates, thanks to a Rexroth STAR linear motion system supplied by Tectra Automation and installed by Reutech Radar Systems, which also designed this innovate solution.
The specialised linear motion solution from Tectra (including the bearing and ball screws for SALT's tracker system) plays an important role in the operation of the telescope's tracker. The six-degrees-of-freedom motion system revolves around an X-Y philosophy, whereby two X-support rails are mounted on the upper and lower beams of the Top Hex structure. Two separate Rexroth ball screw assemblies drive the carriages on these rails.
Bearing and ball screw assemblies mounted on the upper and lower beams of the Top Hex structure, form part of the SALT tracker system
The 11 m long tracker beam is mounted on these two carriages, with the top surface of the tracker beam at an angle of 37° to the horizon. Carrying the optical payload, a Hexapod carriage travels on Rexroth ball rail linear guides along this beam, and is driven up and down by a single Rexroth ball screw assembly.
The 11 m long tracker beam is mounted on two carriages, which travel on Rexroth ball rail linear guides and driven up and down by a single ball screw assembly
This technology has significantly reduced the capital expenditure required to erect the telescope. A conventional telescope tracks the apparent motion of a star image by moving its massive primary mirror and support structure precisely in unison with the target image. For very large telescopes like SALT, maintaining the mirror's exact shape while tilting it to point at astronomical objects becomes technically challenging and expensive. In addition, the drive system to move such a large mass precisely over large, angular extents is also expensive to design and build. In contrast, the design of SALT allows the primary mirror to be stationary during an observation, and always with the same orientation with respect to gravity. This feature simplifies the mirror support problem and significantly reduces the total cost of the telescope.
For more information contact Kevin Lombard, divisional manager, Linear and Assembly Technologies, Tectra Automation, +27 (0) 11 971 9400, [email protected], www.tectra.co.za
Read more...PC-based control for additive machine tools Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
IRPD is a specialist in additive machine tools. Development is heavily focused on high system throughput and consistently high process quality. This goal was achieved with the help of PC- and EtherCAT-based control and drive technology from Beckhoff.
Read more...Major software release for Parker PSD servo drives Parker Hannifin - Sales Company South Africa
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Parker Hannifin has released its PSD servo drive family delivering new control modes, advanced synchronisation functions and performance optimisations designed to improve throughput, accuracy and system efficiency in demanding industrial applications.
Read more...Beckhoff expands economy drive system Beckhoff Automation
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Beckhoff’s new AM1000 servomotor joins the company’s economy drive system. The compact, powerful motor and the AX1000 servo drive provide users with a perfectly coordinated, cost-optimised drive system.
Read more...Moving next-generation monopiles
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Wind turbine sizes are increasing at an unprecedented rate. The bigger the turbine, the more power it can generate and the fewer are needed per wind farm. Mammoet has been ahead of the curve in coming up with ways to make the movement of even XXL monopiles faster and more cost-effectively.
Read more...PC-based control for flat wire motors for electric vehicles Beckhoff Automation
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Special machine manufacturer, ruhlamat Huarui Automation Technologies has unveiled the second generation of its mass production line for flexible stators with bar winding (pins). This enables an extremely short production cycle and line changeover times, supported by PC- and EtherCAT-based control technology from Beckhoff.
Read more...New generation surface drill rig
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Epiroc South Africa is launching a new and improved PowerROC T45. This new generation surface drill rig offers increased fuel efficiency and high availability, and is a welcome addition to the PowerROC family.
Read more...Rip-and-ship solution speeds up nuclear decommissioning project
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
When removing steam generators from decommissioned nuclear reactor buildings, the most economical method is to remove them in one piece. Mammoet was commissioned by Framatome to support with the removal of four steam generators from PreussenElektra’s Nuclear Power Plant Unterweser in Germany.
Read more...Helping to solve wastewater challenges
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
KSB Pumps and Valves is doubling its efforts to help government and municipalities find practical and technical solutions to the growing wastewater challenges gripping large parts of the country.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version