Gearboxes help automatic part loader
A
Harmonic Drive UK product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Apr 6, 2006
Gearboxes play role in an automated part loader for use with lathes for the high precision machining of cylindrical and other turned components.
The latest Harmonic Drive HFUC gearboxes are playing a role in an automated part loader (APL), developed and made by Colchester Lathes for use with its Tornado lathes for the high precision machining of cylindrical and other turned components.
The gearboxes provide accuracy and repeatability, with zero backlash and high torsional stiffness, to ensure that raw materials are automatically rotated to the correct position before machining.
Colchester Lathes makes conventional centre lathes and manual CNC lathes, with its machines being used in applications throughout the world.
The company's systems offer high levels of performance and reliability, with systems such as the Tornado T6MS with automatic part loaders and integrated bar feeders being suitable for use in lights-out production areas.
The T6MS is a five axis machine, capable of main spindle speeds of 6000rev/min and with a 6000rev/min sub-spindle timed for on-the-fly component exchange.
The system is fitted with a GE Fanuc controller and is available with an optional APL unit, which has been developed to eliminate manual feed of raw materials, and incorporates a gripper arrangement to let it handle a range of bar and rod sizes and diameters.
David Parker, Design Engineer at Colchester Lathes, said: "Key to the functionality of the APL is its ability to rotate and position work pieces precisely and to be able to maintain this level of accuracy time after time at high operating speeds".
The HFUC gear unit is constructed from a precision machined three-part assembly, comprising wave generator, flexspline and circular spline, which combine to form a robust gear component set.
This system provides positional accuracy to within one minute of arc, with repeatability of a few seconds of arc, plus a high torque capacity, torsional stiffness, zero backlash and a good torque-volume and weight relationship.
The gear unit incorporates a shortened flexspline with a high stiffness cross roller bearing to support output loads and to eliminate the need for additional output bearing assemblies.
Parker said: "This enabled us to reduce our design and manufacturing costs, with Harmonic Drive adapting the gear units to allow us to interface them directly to standard Fanuc servo motors".
"In addition, the small size and relatively low weight of the HFUC meant that we could keep the overall dimensions of our APL system to a minimum".
"The APL has been specifically designed to be as flexible as possible, to appeal to a wider range of markets and customers".
"We are also planning to manufacture more APL units in both smaller and larger sizes in the future, and will certainly be looking to Harmonic Drive to provide us with the right products for the job".
Not what you're looking for? Search the site.
Google Ads
Contact Harmonic Drive UK
Related Stories
- Hydro-Service chain acts like caterpillar tracks
- Retractable roof uses FAG roller bearings
- KTR couplings increase life of water jet drives
- Elastic bearing couplings quieten transmission
- Filters clean up on excavator hydraulics
Articles by product category
- Consultancy and Services (903)
- Machine Building (4,517)
-
Engineering Design Software (6,179)
- Engineering Design Software (12)
- 2D CAD software (200)
- 3D CAD software (1,157)
- FEA and structural analysis software (369)
- Fluid, thermal, noise, vibration software (334)
- Simulation, modelling, validation software (914)
- Rendering, visualisation, styling software (196)
- Materials design and moulding design software (151)
- Process, instrumentation, automation software (258)
- Electrical design software (164)
- Publishing and documentation software (229)
- Maths, charting, statistics, QA software (317)
- Data, document management software (310)
- CAM, CNC, production management software (568)
- File conversion software, data capture (351)
- PLM and collaboration software (649)
-
Drives, Motors and Controls (3,361)
- Drives, Motors and Controls (1)
- Precision Motors and Gears (411)
- Industrial Drives/Controls (1,276)
- Linear Drives and Motors (114)
- Industrial Motors (497)
- Stepper and Servo Drives, Motors, Controls (1,060)
- Small Mechanical Components, Joining, Tools (1,975)
-
Control and Instrumentation (5,028)
- Plantwide control (1,324)
- Plant- and Machine-Wide Communications (1,174)
- Smaller-Sized PLCs (387)
- CNC and Motion Controllers (184)
- Mid-range and Large PLCs (201)
- Power Supplies, Uninterruptible Power (562)
- HMIs/Operator Interfaces (294)
- Logic Controllers, Timers and Relays (96)
- Cabling, Conduit, Signal Conditioning (806)
-
Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (5,459)
- Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (1)
- Data acquisition Software and Communications (494)
- Data Acquisition Hardware and PC I/O Boards (472)
- Electrical and Electronic Testing, PAT Equipment (630)
- Form/co-ordinate, optical, vision instruments (703)
- Gauges, Indicators and Instruments (440)
- Data loggers (422)
- Materials testing equipment (421)
- Telecomms/network test equipment, software etc (154)
- Testing and Calibration Services and Information (500)
- Testing, analysing and monitoring equipment (1,222)
-
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Design (4,160)
- Batteries, chargers and circuit protection (555)
- Connectors, Terminals, Busbars, Slip Rings (679)
- Enclosures and Equipment Cooling Fans (709)
- Knobs, Handles and Enclosure Hardware (420)
- PCs and Embedded Systems (798)
- Electrical and Electronic Subassemblies (369)
- Electrical and Electronic Components (630)
-
Materials and Processing (2,963)
- Materials and Processing (5)
- Materials and components (2,215)
- Rapid Prototyping (458)
- Materials processing and testing (285)
-
Engineering Industry News, Resources (6,093)
- Engineering Industry News, Resources (4)
- Engineering Business News, Views (388)
- Engineering Exhibitions, Events (562)
- Engineering Conferences (425)
- Engineering Seminars (400)
- Engineering Industry Developments, Awards (633)
- Engineering Guides, Newsletters (349)
- Engineering Recruitment, Employment (219)
- Engineering Training Courses (433)
- Engineering Education, Resources, Standards (838)
- Engineering Industry Reports, Surveys (597)
- Electronic Resources for Engineers (278)
- Health and Safety Legislation (402)
- Health and Safety Strategy, Risk Assessment (113)
- Health and Safety Consultancy, Software (175)
- Health and Safety Events, Training, News (277)
-
Powertrain Design (3,598)
- Powertrain Design (2)
- Bearings (939)
- Chains and belts (326)
- Gears, brakes, couplings and engines (1,441)
- Hydraulic Components (471)
- Lubricants (418)
-
Capital Equipment (3,387)
- Capital Equipment (1)
- Manufacturing Machinery and Plant Equipment (468)
- Production line blowers and fans (62)
- Compressors and Air Treatment (510)
- Electronics Manufacturing, Tools, Instruments (192)
- Electrical hardware (131)
- Machinery and Production Equipment (1,093)
- Robotics, Handling and Storage (930)
-
Sensors (7,080)
- Sensors (8)
- Accelerometers and Vibration Sensors (427)
- Loadcells, Force Sensors, Torque Sensors (699)
- Pressure sensors (621)
- Flowmeters and Flow Sensors (618)
- Level Sensors and Leak Detectors (527)
- Linear Position Sensors (399)
- Rotary Position, Tilt and Angular Sensors (546)
- Proximity Sensors (700)
- Gas, Chemical, Radiation, Magnetic Sensors (284)
- Humidity and Environmental Sensors (152)
- Temperature sensors (612)
- Vision and Colour Sensors (1,384)
- Barcode Sensors (103)
- Valves, Pumps, Process Hardware (3,623)
