Precise movements are the be-all and end-all in automated production and assembly. Precision is particularly important when loading and unloading or handling workpieces. For this reason, shaft couplings that transmit the torques from the drive unit to the guide of a gripper, for example, must work precisely and withstand high loads. Mayr Antriebstechnik meets these requirements with various metal bellows, elastomer and disk pack couplings.

Shortly before Motek, the company announces that it has added new hub designs and intermediate sleeves to its standard modular system, including a new long intermediate sleeve for Roba-ES elastomer couplings.

The company offers safety brakes specifically for securing gravity-loaded axles and is constantly developing these further. This is because suspended loads must be brought to a standstill within the shortest possible time in the event of an unintentional drop or fall in order to protect people and material from damage. The various braking concepts are tailored to different machine requirements and offer the right solution for every application.

The safety brakes are monitored with the intelligent Roba-brake-checker module. By analyzing current and voltage, it detects the movement of the armature plate and knows the condition of the brake. In addition to the switching status, temperature and wear, the module also monitors the traction or traction force reserve, i.e. whether the magnet is still able to attract the armature plate. The new module therefore monitors more parameters than microswitches and initiators. When the tensile force reserve is reached, the monitoring tool sends a warning signal so early that a certain operating time of the brake is still possible. In addition to the pure signal, the module provides data on switching time, current, voltage, resistance, power and relative application current via an optical interface, for example. The latter allows conclusions to be drawn about critical operating states of the brake. Using an evaluation program, the customer can see whether everything is working properly or if there is anything to be done. For example, an air gap that becomes too large is detected in good time. Safety becomes visible, so to speak. Maintenance can be planned - the system operator or manufacturer can carry out maintenance in a targeted manner and tailored to their work process. In addition, the error output also enables remote maintenance in the event of a problem.

As an innovation, the monitoring module is also available in a version for AC voltage. In a further expansion stage, the module also controls the brake and thus replaces a rectifier. Switching status monitoring and brake control are therefore combined in a single device and users save on additional components. In addition, small brake sizes from a braking torque of 0.7 Nm can now also be supplied and monitored with the Roba-brake-checker.

Motek 2019: Hall 6, Stand 6324