Motion control solutions

Citation

(2006), "Motion control solutions", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 78 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2006.12778aad.002

Motion control solutions

Motion control solutions

Keywords: Motion, Precision engineering

Harmonic Drive used the recent DSEi exhibition as a platform to promote its range of motion control solutions that have been designed and developed for a wide range of land, sea and air defence applications where high precision and reliability are critical. The latest Harmonic Drive precision gears and actuators claim high accuracy, lightweight and compact dimensions, high power density and a long operating life.

According to the company its precision gears have been designed to achieve a mean time between failures (MTBF) in defence applications of more than 500,000 h, with an extremely low failure probability. Furthermore it is claimed that, Harmonic Drive gears and actuators provide positional accuracy of less than one minute of arc and a repeatability of just a few seconds of arc, making them suitable for use in defence applications requiring high pointing accuracy and high tracking accuracy.

The company's technology is being used in a wide range of defence applications including onboard the new Joint Strike Fighter, which incorporates active pilot inceptors providing force-feedback to the operator. Harmonic Drive gears are used in all three axis equipped with active control technology.

Of particular focus on the stand was the Harmonic Drive range of HFUC component sets, which are stated to be ideal for defence applications as they claim a combination of low weight, compact dimensions, high torque capacity, exceptional repeatability and positioning accuracy and can be used in a wide range of operating temperatures.

Typical applications for the HFUC components sets are varied and range from weapon systems, azimuth and elevation axes for artillery and tank guns, camera systems onboard helicopters and cargo landing systems for aircraft (Plate 1).

Plate 1 HFUC components sets (HD005)

The new HFUC component sets incorporate a shortened Flexspline, resulting in a significant reduction of the axial length. Furthermore, the new component sets feature high performance IH tooth profiles to provide increased torque capacity in comparison to standard gears that incorporate traditional involute gear tooth profiles.

The HFUC range is available in 15 gear sizes from 8 to 100, with a choice of gear reduction ratios, from 30:1 up to 1 60:1.

In addition, the HFUC component sets feature the optimised design of Flexspline, Circular Spline teeth and Wave Generator bearing, reported to eliminate completely the effects of backlash, provide high torsional stiffness and offer a range of output torque capacities from just 0.9 to 3,550 Nm.

Details available from: Harmonic Drive UK Ltd, Tel: +44 (0)1785 245190, Fax: +44 (0)1785 240126, web site: www.harmonicdrive.de