Product category:
Drives, motors and power transmission, couplings, clutches
News Release from: Harmonic Drive UK | Subject: HFUC gearboxes
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 06 April 2006
Gearbox boosts CNC lathe productivity
gearboxes are playing a vital role in an automated part loader, developed by a machine tool builder for use with its range of CNC lathes, in precision production machining.
The latest Harmonic Drive HFUC gearboxes are playing a vital role in a new Automated Part Loader (APL), developed and manufactured by Colchester Lathes for use with its range of Tornado lathes, designed for the high precision machining of cylindrical and other turned components In particular, the HFUC gearboxes are providing exceptional levels of accuracy and repeatability, with zero backlash and high torsional stiffness, to ensure that raw materials are automatically rotated to exactly the correct position prior to machining
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 1 Aug 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Modular harmonic drive gear is precise
Compact, integrated gear and pre-loaded output bearing unit provides higher bearing load capacity, with significantly improved concentricity and run-out tolerances than competing devices.
Miniature hollow-shaft servo actuators have power
A range of miniature hollow-shaft servo actuators, includes what may be the world's smallest servo actuator, delivering 1.8Nm of torque from an integrated AC motor, gearbox and encoder.
Colchester Lathes is the largest manufacturer of conventional centre lathes and manual/CNC lathes in the UK, with its machines being used in a wide variety of applications throughout the world.
The company's systems offer high levels of performance and reliability, with systems such as the Tornado T6MS with automatic part loaders and integrated bar feeders being suitable for use in lights-out production areas.
The Tornado T6MS is a five axis machine, capable of main spindle speeds of 6,000 rev/min and with a 6,000 rev/min sub-spindle timed for 'on the fly' component exchange.
Further reading
Hollow shaft servo actuators are compact
A range of compact, hollow shaft servo actuators are designed to offer exceptionally high levels of transmission accuracy and acceleration torque.
Hollow shaft gear increases robot payloads
An innovative hollow shaft gear system has helped Reis Robotics to make significant weight reductions to the operating arm of its latest six-axis, CO2 laser robot.
Lightweight hollow shaft servo actuator
A compact and lightweight hollow shaft servo actuator, designed and manufactured by Harmonic Drive, is playing an important role in helping to ensure precise alignment of communications antennae.
The system is fitted with the latest GE Fanuc controller and is available with an optional APL unit, which has been developed to eliminate manual feed of raw materials, and incorporates a sophisticated gripper arrangement to enable it to handle a range of bar and rod sizes and diameters.
David Parker, design engineer at Colchester Lathes, explained that, "Key to the functionality of the APL is its ability to rotate and position work pieces precisely and to be able to maintain this level of accuracy time after time at high operating speeds." The solution chosen by Colchester Lathes was to fit a Harmonic Drive HFUC gear unit.
This is constructed from a precision machined, three part assembly, comprising Wave Generator, Flexspline and Circular Spline, which combine to form an extremely robust gear component set.
This Harmonic Drive system provides superior positional accuracy, to within one minute of arc, with repeatability of just a few seconds of arc, plus a high torque capacity, torsional stiffness, zero backlash combined with an excellent torque/volume and weight relationship.
In addition, the HFUC gear unit incorporates a specially shortened Flexspline with a high stiffness cross roller bearing to support output loads and to eliminate the need for additional output bearing assemblies.
Parker pointed out that, "This enabled us to reduce our design and manufacturing costs, with Harmonic Drive adapting the gear units to allow us to interface them directly to standard Fanuc servo motors.
In addition, the small size and relatively low weight of the HFUC meant that we could keep the overall dimensions of our APL system to a minimum." Parker continued, "The APL has been specifically designed to be as flexible as possible, in order to appeal to a wider range of markets and customers.
We are also planning to manufacture more APL units in both smaller and larger sizes in the future, and will certainly be looking to Harmonic Drive to provide us with the right products for the job.".
• Harmonic Drive UK: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Manufacturingtalk email newsletter
• Manufacturingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
