Ceramic components offer easy miniaturisation
A
Maxon Motor UK product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Feb 9, 2007
Maxon Motor's ceramic components suffer virtually no slip-stick effect and therefore start without jerking.
The superiority of high-tech ceramic components in situations where metals are pushed to their limits is emphasised by the latest range of spindles from Maxon Motor.
Compared to their conventional steel counterparts, and even to the expensive alternative of recirculating linear ball screws, these threaded spindles are far longer lasting and much more precise.
Their function is to convert rotary motion into linear motion.
The linear stroke (distance in a straight line) generated is proportional to the spindle pitch (size of gap between threads) and can be defined with great accuracy.
With its outstanding anti-friction properties, the ceramic material suffers virtually no slip-stick effect and therefore starts without jerking.
Its smooth operation allows speeds of anything up to 10,000 revolutions per minute, without fear of damaging the precisely engineered thread structure on which its accuracy depends.
In this way, highly dynamic but very precise motions are achievable.
Provided that the nut used with it is made from a compatible material, the ceramic spindle - made from zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) - will last many times longer than a steel version.
Indeed, Maxon has found that in some applications the ceramic spindle has shown no signs of wear after millions of cycles - when its steel predecessors would have had to have been regularly replaced.
Moreover, the company points out that the price of a component is insignificant compared to the cost of unplanned downtime and lost production if it wears or breaks.
With the ceramic spindle, uninterrupted productivity and consistent performance are assured.
The choice of nuts applicable to a ceramic spindle lends itself to creation of very compact designs.
By contrast, the type of nut used with a recirculating ball screw is very difficult to miniaturise.
In addition, the ceramic material has many other attributes which are highly advantageous in particular circumstances.
It will withstand very high temperatures and will not transmit electricity, magnetise or interfere in any way with electrical or magnetic fields.
Its biocompatibility, together with the fact that it can be sterilised using heat or chemicals, means it is perfect for medical equipment.
At present, spindles can be economically produced with diameters from 2mm to about 10mm, with various pitches.
By matching the available nuts carefully to the spindles, Maxon can keep play to a minimum and optimise accuracy.
"For many industrial applications involving high-frequency, repetitive motions, on assembly lines for example, the wear resistance of these spindles should be very welcome", says Keith Ellenden, CEO of Maxon Motor UK.
"They should also be seriously considered whenever accuracy is important - in high-precision manufacturing processes, for example".
"We expect the designers of medical devices to be very interested in them as well, for tasks such as delivery of precise amounts of drugs by infusion pumps".
"Our specialist Maxon ceramic division is constantly making new breakthroughs in the use of this innovative technology, which is certain to play an increasing role in the future of electronic systems".
"As well as helping customers select the ideal component from our off the shelf range, we can produce tailored solutions to designers' problems".
"So if you have a special need, please let us know".
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Contact Maxon Motor UK
Tel +44 118 973 3337
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