Product category:
Electric Linear Actuators
News Release from: HepcoMotion | Subject: SmartDrive components
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 03 March 2005
Linear driven system provides precise
stretching
When Scottish company Vascutek built its own bespoke machinery for creating medical grafting material, it chose to entrust the linear motion element to HepcoMotion.
Scottish company Vascutek is a world leader in its field, using innovative vascular technologies to develop products that address the needs of cardiovascular and vascular surgeons throughout the world Manufacture involves highly precise knitting and weaving of the grafting material that is then sealed with specially modified gelatine, eliminating the need for pre-clotting
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 29 Aug 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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An important element in the process is the modification of the overall material structure to allow for greater graft incorporation than a traditional closed pore system.
This involves precisely stretching the material which ultimately becomes expanded PTFE.
Central to the winding machine that undertakes this process is a HepcoMotion system incorporating SmartDrive components supplied as a single source "plug and play" package.
Further reading
Linear motion based on the vee principle
Bishop-Wisecarver's DualVee Motion Technology (DMT) is based on a double row angular contact bearing arrangement.
Linear bearings resist glass dust
The all-steel slideway on the GV3 is three times stiffer than composite aluminium alternatives and this rugged construction makes it ideal for this type of heavy-duty application.
This is a bespoke machine whose construction was undertaken in-house by Vascutek.
However, it chose to entrust the linear motion element to HepcoMotion, confident that this company's experience in supplying complete assemblies would ensure the supply of a system that met its high demands for precision and reliability.
It was a decision that saved Vascutek a great deal of design, selection and installation time.
The overall system comprises several HepcoMotion elements - an MCS aluminium frame onto which is mounted a DLS driven linear system and GV3 slideways.
DLS is an off-the-shelf driven package with many options.
In consultation with Vascutek, HepcoMotion recommended a timing belt and stepper motor drive, providing repeatability in the order of +/-0.1mm.
The turnkey system was designed, manufactured and delivered ready for use by HepcoMotion.
Traditionally, the task of correctly specifying a drive system for a linear application has been time-consuming.
The system engineer must first design a transmission, select a motor, gear train, drive, positioner and power supply.
To ensure optimum performance, inertia of rotary, linear and gear reduction stages must be matched.
The data are then used to calculate the numerous parameters required to specify the correct system.
The option chosen by Vascutek dispenses with this spade-work.
The company only had to specify performance parameters such as load, speed, duty and reliability and HepcoMotion did the rest.
It provided a complete, fully integrated system fitted with motor, gearbox, pushbutton controls, operator display panel etc, that was instantly ready for use.
Cost-efficiency is a key feature of this system.
Although its purchase price is highly competitive, the greater savings are in time.
The customer also has the security of purchasing a complete, tailored system that carries HepcoMotion's high reputation for reliability. Request a free brochure from HepcoMotion ...
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