Motor stability is key to optical accuracy
A
Maxon Motor UK product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Oct 9, 2006
To maximise the performance of its latest Accuscan range of optical micrometers, Beta LaserMike turned to Maxon Motor.
In the manufacture of high-precision electrical wires and similar products, quick and accurate gauge measurement is an essential part of production control.
A laser-based optical micrometer is ideal for the purpose, and leading the field in this technology is US-based Beta LaserMike.
To maximise the performance of its latest Accuscan range of optical micrometers, Beta LaserMike has turned to Maxon Motor.
The laser scanning method employed by these devices effectively samples the product diameter with every scan.
To do this, a solid state laser diode visible light source is directed onto an eight-sided mirror drum mounted on a revolving electric motor.
The laser scans produced pass through a corrected lens, creating a parallel beam across the gate area.
The product being measured cuts this beam, and the resultant light pattern is focused by a second lens onto the receiving electronics.
This produces an electronic signal which is processed by internal microelectronics to deliver the measurement.
How rapidly and accurately these measurements can be determined depends to a large extent on the speed stability of the motor.
All motors experience some jitter in their speed, but tests showed the EC 32 Flat motor from Maxon to be three times more stable than the motor previously used by Beta LaserMike.
For a wire manufacturer, that means faster scanning, higher productivity and more dependable product quality.
A further benefit of the Maxon unit is its low power requirement, which keeps the internal temperature down and extends the life of the laser.
Add those economic advantages to the fact that this high-quality motor is available at a value price and you can see that a customer's outlay on the micrometer will be very quickly repaid by enhanced throughput and related cost savings.
As well as copper wires, Accuscan can be used for any wire, filament or thin cylindrical product.
A range of these instruments is available to deal with different gauges and, thanks to the low profile of the Maxon EC 32 Flat, the same motor can be fitted easily into each one.
Keith Ellenden, CEO of Maxon Motor UK, says: "We were given a very demanding specification by Beta LaserMike and we are delighted to have met the challenge".
"We enjoy working with design engineers to identify the right component for any specialised application and we are always happy to make modifications wherever necessary".
"In this case we have prepared a special mounting plate, with holes pre-drilled to match those in the instruments, as well as removing the front shaft and attaching the bearings directly and solidly to a customised rear shaft".
"The prototype micrometers are still being tested but the feedback so far has been good", says Design Engineer Amolak Bahra from Beta LaserMike UK.
A few further adaptations will be needed for the range, such as the addition of Hall sensors or an optical encoder, which we are sure that Maxon will be able to provide".
The Maxon Motor flat brushless DC motor family is continuing to expand.
One development to look for in the future will be a choice between the current external rotor design and a new internal rotor structure with improved characteristics.
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Contact Maxon Motor UK
Tel +44 118 973 3337
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