Compact design with high force absorption from 870 Newton to 90,000 Newton characterize all representatives of the TA family. © ACE

In order to deliver practical designs right from the start, it is the philosophy of both companies to test extensively so that they are prepared for all eventualities. For the SFT2-P225 precision axis, it quickly became clear from the characteristics such as table part length, weight and approach speed that ACE tube structural dampers should protect the end positions of the linear unit. After all, these machine elements made of co-polyester elastomer are always a cost-effective alternative to even more powerful industrial shock absorbers when it is not important to stop masses with pinpoint accuracy. This is because they are up to twenty times superior to other solutions such as steel springs, urethane dampers or rubber stoppers in terms of damping properties and service life.

The range of structural and safety dampers made of co-polyester elastomer from ACE comprises a total of eight designs with more than 150 individual products for a variety of applications. It is possible to generate almost linear, progressive or, as in this case, degressive characteristic curves. The damping properties are achieved through the material and unique production steps. The structure of the plastic can be changed during production so that individual damping properties can be realized.

The solution: Structural dampers with two functions
The TA family used here works with axial damping and provides very efficient energy absorbers with each of its individual product representatives, because the individual types can each absorb a lot of energy at the start of the stroke. The TA family has been specially developed for maximum energy absorption in the large force range from two Newton meters to 2,951 Newton meters per stroke. True to the motto "maximum energy absorption with minimum stroke", designers can use a minimum overall height and space-saving shapes with diameters from twelve millimetres to 116 millimetres. The dampers can be attached quickly and easily using a special screw.

Based on the data determined for the drive, Lisco and ACE decided to use type TA17-7 tubes in this case. With a stroke of seven millimetres, these provide a maximum energy absorption of six Newton meters per stroke in continuous operation and nine Newton meters per stroke in emergency use. This makes them one of the smaller representatives of this product family and illustrates that users have enormous scope for emergency stop and continuous applications in their designs when selecting the right tube for their application. This is further increased by the fact that ACE can supply structural dampers with special strokes, characteristics, spring rates, sizes and materials on request. In addition to the actual task of securing everyday operation, the tubes also fulfill another purpose in this case: if a carriage is not secured during transport of the CT systems, they also prevent collisions. Otherwise, aluminum could hit aluminum. The Tubus are therefore responsible for the emergency stop twice, and, as Stefan de Bruyn concludes, "absolutely reliably". as