Unique integrated water cooling enables new linear motors to offer greater thrust (up to 7,000N) in a smaller area

Citation

(1999), "Unique integrated water cooling enables new linear motors to offer greater thrust (up to 7,000N) in a smaller area", Industrial Robot, Vol. 26 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.1999.04926fad.006

Unique integrated water cooling enables new linear motors to offer greater thrust (up to 7,000N) in a smaller area

Unique integrated water cooling enables new linear motors to offer greater thrust (up to 7,000N) in a smaller area

Keywords: Coolers, Linear motor

New from INMOCO, the Bautz L1SK range of synchronous linear motors employs a unique integrated method of water cooling which enables them to provide greatly increased thrust, up to 7,000N, and to deliver the same continuous force as more bulky, externally cooled, linear motors (see Plate 6). The L1SK's reduced dimensions mean that machines can be made more compact. Moreover, the enhanced cooling available can improve machine cycle times, in some cases by much as 60-80 per cent.

Plate 6INMOCO's unique integrated water cooling enables new linear motors to offer greater thrust (up to 7,000N) in a smaller area

Special heat dissipating technique: patent pending

In contrast to other linear motor systems, the cooling of Bautz linear motors is not integrated into the winding using a time-consuming and costly process, or using encapsulated aluminum heat sinks. This new principle - which is the subject of a patent application - uses a special technique to dissipate the heat out of the laminated core into a cooling pipe incorporated onto the ends of the windings.

The major benefit of the unique L1SK design is that it allows continuous forces which are at least equal to those available from linear motors using external coolers, of the same basic specifications. Consequently, the mounting space which is normally needed for the external cooler can be saved, resulting in a simpler motor installation and a more compact machine overall.

The L1SK's combination of high force in a compact envelope means that existing arrangements of motor and external water cooler can be replaced almost seamlessly. Moreover, depending on the performance of the cooling kit employed, adopting the L1SK provides the opportunity to reduce the cycle time of the machine by anywhere between 60 and 80 per cent.

To obtain even higher performance an additional external water cooler may be employed. Then the maximum power of the motor may become the continuous effective power. The motor then assumes a duty of 100 per cent increasing the force available from the motor by about 60 per cent.

Another benefit of using an additional cooler is that the temperatures conducted to the machine can be controlled more exactly. The L1SK's integrated cooler acts as a primary cooler with the external cooler operating as a secondary cooler. The net benefit of this is greatly enhanced control of the thermal expansion of the machine which may be of great importance on high accuracy machines.

The L1SK linear motors are IP55 rated which ensures that they are protected against dust and against water jets. The primary and secondary parts of the motors are also completely encapsulated to safeguard against any external mechanical and electrical influences.

For further information contact: Gerard Bush, Sales Application Engineer, INMOCO Limited, 4 Brunel Close, Drayton Fields, Daventry NN11 5RB. Tel: +44 (0)1327 300320; Fax: +44 (0)1327 300319; E-mail: GerardB@inmoco.co.uk