Linear motor stage

For tasks such as positioning with micrometer or nanometer accuracy, or for tasks such as travel at very low speed, freedom from cogging force is a must for linear motors. However, this is by far not enough to achieve the task objective. Further requirements are: a high-resolution position measuring system and a linear servo amplifier (i.e. a non-switching servo amplifier or servo controller or servo inverter). In the field of high-resolution linear encoders we offer optical systems. You can find an overview of them under this link. For the linear servo amplifier we offer our own product of the LWM family. You can find more information under this link. Most servo amplifiers are switching i.e. use pulse width modulation (i.e. chopping up the voltage) to set the desired current. However, the switching leads to current ripple (i.e. superimposed alternating current). The current ripple in turn leads to force ripple.

It is precisely this ripple that makes it more difficult to successfully commission demanding servo tasks such as positioning with micrometer or nanometer accuracy, or for tasks such as travel at very low speed. The last and perhaps most important factor for success is the experience of a commissioning engineer who has often commissioned such complex systems. MACCON offers exactly such engineering services. With our wealth of experience, we have helped many customers in the semiconductor, optical, laser and space industries to success. Contact us to discuss your technical requirements with an experienced engineer!

Lineare Verstellbewegungen sind ein wichtiger Teil moderner Automatisierungssanlagen. Das Verfahren von Millionen Zyklen lässt die Nachfrage von Automatisierung ständig steigen, dabei wird eine immer höhere Wiederholgenauigkeit und bessere Qualität der Komponenten gefordert.

Als erfahrener Partner für Direktantriebslösungen bieten wir innovative Produkte an, die für eine schnelle und exakte Positionierung und Wiederholgenauigkeit konzipiert sind. Die Linearmotorachse, basierend auf der Permanetmagnet-Synchronmotortechnologie, bietet erhebliche Vorteile in Dynamik, Genauigkeit und Zuverlässigkeit. Die fettgeschmierten Linearführungen ermöglichen einen Betrieb ohne zusätzliche Wartung.

Das Ziel unserer Linearmotorachsen ist es, die Arbeit von Technikern und Ingenieuren zu erleichtern und eine komplette Achse mit Führungsprofil, Führungen, Linearmotor, Encoder, Stecker, Endschalter sowie einer Energieführungskette zu liefern. Direkt angetriebene Linearachsen können mit zahlreichen Vorteilen punkten – so haben sie im Vergleich zu klassischen Achsen (z.B. Spindel- und Zahnriemenachsen) einen wesentlich besseren Wirkungsgrad, eine höhere Überlastfähigkeit und bessere Kosteneffizienz. Herausstehende Motoren und Getriebe entfallen. Unsere MLL, MLE und MLU Serien sind außerdem mit den gängigsten Servokontrollverstärkern kompatibel. So können Sie Ihren vertrauten Servoverstärker anwenden und damit eine schnellere Inbetriebnahme erreichen.

For extreme conditions such as clean rooms or explosion-proof rooms, cables and drag chains are not allowed, so the electrical energy must be transmitted to the motor coil by other means. Another reason could also be: extremely high accelerations or space restrictions that preclude cable feed. For such cases, we offer special linear motor axes based on wireless power transmission. These are:

• Energy transmission via sliding contact or
• Inductive energy transfer

We deal with each topic separately in the following paragraphs.

Energy transfer via sliding contact

In this variant, the electrical energy is transmitted via sliding contact. Such sliding contacts usually have a lifetime performance of approx. 20,000 km. The servocontroller is mounted on the linear motor carriage, together with the encoder read head. This gives the servocontroller a direct connection to the encoder read head. The commanded values are sent to the servocontroller via "Wireless CANopen" (CANopen fieldbus via Bluetooth). This means that the linear motor stage does not need a power cable or a feedback cable. This also eliminates the need for cable dragging and the associated space requirements.

Inductive energy transfer

Inductive energy transfer has the advantage that the lifetime performance is not limited by wear-and-tear of sliding contacts. This solution is also suitable for applications under extreme conditions such as in clean rooms or explosion-proof areas. In contrast to energy transmission via sliding contact: with inductive energy transmission, there is no dust caused by mechanical abrasion between brush and electrical track.

As before, both the servocontroller and the encoder read head can be mounted on the slide of the linear motor. The commanded values are sent via "Wireless CANopen" (CANopen fieldbus via Bluetooth). This means that the linear motor stage does not need a power cable or a feedback cable.

MACCON conducts research and development on the subject of high-frequency inductive power transmission. The goal: to develop an inductive receiver coil with a significantly higher power density than previously possible. The high power density requires the use of significantly higher frequencies. In contrast to today's inductive energy transmission systems (apart from small power outputs, these are in the range of 20-140 kHz), working frequencies in the MHz range are necessary.

The magnetic circuits must be designed in such a way that the energy transfer is limited to the effective area and at the same time propagating waves must be prevented. We use specially designed stranded wire cables and PCB technologies with optimized geometries to reduce coil losses at high frequencies. We use power electronics with switching frequencies in the MHz range. We use power semiconductors with a large band gap to ensure the required performance at high frequencies while maintaining high efficiency

Contact us to discuss your project with an experienced engineer!