With workpiece pallet changeover up to ten times as fast, Rexroth‘s transfer system ActiveMover significantly increases productivity in short cycle applications. Linear motors with an integrated measuring system position the sturdy workpiece pallets very precisely on a closed type trackway using a powerful drive that provides a force of up to 160 Newton.

The transfer system consists of straight section and curve units with vertically installed low-wear linear motors. These accelerate workpiece pallets with forces of up to four g, making the system extremely dynamic. The maximum speed is 150 meters per minute. The changeover time for the magnetically coupled workpiece pallets ranges from 0,1 to 0,3 seconds, depending on their size. Users therefore achieve time savings of up to 90 percent compared to conventional transfer systems. In practice, they achieve productivity improvements of up to 20 percent by using ActiveMover – but without precision being compromised in any way: the Active Mover workpiece pallets move into any chosen position with a repeatability of plus/minus 0,01 millimeters, which consequently enhances process reliability. The integrated measuring system means that no additional indexing is necessary.

Users can use as many workpiece pallets as they want on the straight section and curve units, and they can control them individually. The travel direction, speed, acceleration, position and process sequence of each workpiece pallet can be programmed as desired. Integrated collision control ensures safe operation. Active Mover communicates via Profinet or Ethernet I/P with any chosen process control system, and it automates short cycle applications in a very flexible manner. In addition, the workpiece pallets are prepared for the integration of identification systems.

The transfer system combines the conveyor section and 180-curve units into a freely configurable closed trackway. The vertical arrangement of the workpiece pallets means that they can be easily accessed from any side. With a drive force of 160 Newton, they can carry a payload of up to ten kilograms. The holder width is up to 500 millimeters. Existing drilled holes simplify the installation of customer-specific workpiece holders. The system transports sensitive products very gently and it consequently caters for a wide range of installation applications in electronics manufacturing, the automotive supply industry, and the medical technology and life science fields.

The enclosed power electronics achieve a protection category of IP65. The predrilled holes in the sturdy frame made of painted steel facilitate the integration of processing stations and protective enclosures. pb