Festo releases electromechanical axes

Festo has launched the ECG family of electromechanical axes for the motion control industry.

ECG axes offer high feed force, speed, acceleration and torque resistance characteristics.

They are suitable for use in gantry-type materials handling, supplying and transporting systems, and for high-performance single- and multi-axis motion control.

In many cases, it is possible to use a smaller axis and motor than was previously necessary, because the performance is higher.

The main body of every EGC axis is constructed from extruded aluminium; this has a computer-optimised cross-sectional shape, featuring an internal arch-shaped structure which provides rigidity and load-bearing capabilities, combined with very low mass.

The axes' stainless steel guide rail is mounted externally, allowing the moving carriage to accommodate large cantilever and offset loads that apply very high moments of torque to the carriage.

The EGC family includes both toothed belt and ballscrew versions that can accommodate carriage twisting moments of up to 185Nm.

The moving carriage is fitted with high-performance caged ball bearings for a long service life, and the fully sealed bearing cassette features grease pockets throughout its length.

Festo also offers a number of optional guide scrapers and grease feed adapters for use with centralised lubrication systems.

The top face of the aluminium carriage is fitted with helicoils and centre holes to facilitate fast and accurate load mounting.

The toothed belt version of the EGC axis is available with a choice of 50, 70, 80, 120 and 185mm-wide profiles, and the three largest models can be supplied with standard stroke lengths of up to 8.5m.

Models in the range are capable of generating feed forces as high as 2,500N, of handling speeds up to 5 m/s and acceleration rates up to 50 m/s2.

The external guide arrangement also brings another major advantage to the toothed belt versions of EGC axes - it results in the use of smaller belt pulleys, often avoiding the need for a gearbox.

A cover opening and securing mechanism allows the belt to be replaced without dismantling the axis, which helps speed maintenance and lowers service costs.

The ballscrew versions are especially suitable for short cycle time applications that demand very high feed forces and extremely accurate and repeatable positioning.

These axes are available with 70, 80, 120 or 185mm-wide profiles and standard stroke lengths of up to 3m, and several models offer a choice of spindle pitches.

The spindle itself features a noise-optimised design, and the body of the axis is fitted with a non-metallic, clip-in cover band to guard against the ingress of contaminants.

Models in this range are capable of generating feed forces as high as 3,000N, and can provide positioning accuracies to within +/-20 microns.

Festo has also launched a series of inductive position sensors for use with the EGC axes.

Together with their cables, these fit flush within the body of the axis, and they look 'out' from the body to detect the presence of a flag plate on the moving carriage, instead of looking 'into' the actuator to detect embedded magnets.

This makes installation and commissioning easy, since both sensor and target are clearly visible at all times, and the sensors are equipped with LED indicators which can be seen from the top and side of the unit.

A hollow drive pinion, combined with an elastomer motor coupling featuring an expanding shaft, provides a simple, backlash-free connection.

The flexibility of this arrangement is especially apparent on the toothed belt version - the motor can be mounted at either end and on either side of the axis, which means that users do not have to specify motor placement at the time of ordering, but can leave this decision until installation.

EGC electromechanical axes are available as standalone products or as part of complete motion control products - they are fully compatible with Festo's range of stepper and servo motors, as well as the company's modular multi-axis system.

The axes can also be used with any third-party motors; Festo can provide flange designs for these motors and even manufacture them if required.

Festo also offers a wide range of accessories for use with EGC axes, including extra guide units, axial motor mounting kits, footmounts, adapter plates and a new drag chain connector.

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