As soon as large system integrators have to implement fully automated handling solutions or complex assembly lines, they are usually dependent on the support of experienced project partners with specialized engineering expertise. The Schweinfurt-based company ANT Antriebstechnik has been pursuing a flexible two-pronged strategy here for many years: for customers who design and assemble their system solutions themselves, it provides a large selection of standard linear and drive technology modules as a component supplier, as well as its own teams of employees if required. The technical basis for this is a range of linear units and worm gear screw jacks comprising around 180 type variants.

For factory planners, process optimizers and plant engineers, on the other hand, who require complete functional units for the implementation of fully or partially automated production or assembly lines, ANT acts as a system supplier with its own engineering and automation expertise. For such technologically complex projects, the company also uses its partner network, which includes companies from the fields of motor construction, control technology and switch cabinet construction. ANT itself assumes overall responsibility and always remains the central point of contact for the customer

Clocked through to final inspection
ANT and its partner concept were also able to successfully implement several large gantry linear units, each with a stroke length of more than six meters, for use in electric motor production. These systems make it possible to feed motor cores weighing up to 120 kilograms to various winding and assembly stations in a continuous process - and in some cases with two independently operating vertical axes - and then cycle them through the system until the finished electric motor finally arrives at the final inspection.

Die changing system from ANT for Schuler presses. © ANT

Positioning 800-kilo tools
Another current example from the project business is the implementation of automated tool changing systems for Schuler presses. A solution was required for the fast and precise pick-up and positioning of steel forming dies weighing up to 800 kilograms. The dies had to be lifted from the transport carriage up to 1,000 millimetres, swivelled into the presses at different heights and lowered in a controlled manner. For this purpose, ANT developed a design using its own worm gear screw jacks and various Bosch Rexroth roller guides. In addition, the in-house engineering team came up with a special heavy-duty table that can absorb a torque of up to 20,000 newton meters at the table top. as

Hall 6, Stand 6405