Thanks to magnetic levitation technology, shuttles now transport products freely and individually through the machine. ACOPOS 6D from B&R thus offers optimum conditions for production in small batch sizes and with constantly changing product designs.
Gone are the days when conventional transport systems dictated a strict production cycle. ACOPOS 6D is based on the principle of magnetic levitation technology: shuttles with integrated permanent magnets move contactless on a surface of motor segments. The electromagnetic motor segments are 240 x 240 mm in size and can be assembled into any shape.
Depending on their size, the shuttles weigh between 0.6 and 14 kg and move at a speed of up to 2 metres per second. They can move in two dimensions as well as change their hovering height and can be rotated or tilted along three axes. The system therefore has over six degrees of freedom.
Magnetically levitated shuttles also work as scales
ACOPOS 6D enables a Up to four times the shuttle density than other systems on the market, as several shuttles can run simultaneously on one motor segment. The shuttles can also be used as axes in machining stations. For example, a shuttle with a workpiece can travel along CNC paths while the machining tool is rigidly attached. Weighing stations are even completely eliminated, as Each shuttle is also a high-precision scale is. This allows the machine to be built smaller.
As the shuttles float freely, ACOPOS 6D does not cause any friction. Therefore no abrasion and there are no wearing parts, that require maintenance. If the motor segments are fitted with a stainless steel cover, ACOPOS 6D complies with protection class IP69K - the system is therefore suitable for use in clean rooms and in food production.
Fully integrated into the B&R system
ACOPOS 6D is fully integrated into the B&R-system. The shuttles can therefore be equipped with any axes, robots, track systems or vision cameras. Synchronise to the microsecond. The path planning of the shuttles themselves takes place in a dedicated controller, which is integrated into the machine network via POWERLINK. The path planning therefore does not affect the performance of the network or the machine controller. For systems with more than 200 segments or 50 shuttles, several controllers can be used and synchronised with each other.
In contrast to comparable systems, with the ACOPOS 6D each shuttle is equipped with a globally unique ID. The controller therefore immediately knows exactly where which shuttle is located on the motor segments during start-up. Time-consuming homing sequences or manual input after start-up are not necessary. Production can begin immediately. The position repeatability of the shuttles is ±5 µm, making ACOPOS 6D ideal for applications where maximum precision is required, for example in the electronics industry and in the assembly of mechanical and electronic components.
Simple set-up
Sophisticated algorithms ensure that the shuttles travel optimal paths, do not collide and consume as little energy as possible becomes. This allows the application manufacturer to concentrate fully on their main task: developing an optimised machine process with maximum productivity.
ACOPOS 6D was developed together with the company Planar Motors Inc. which has been researching and developing magnetic levitation technology for industrial production for more than 15 years. B&R is a partner in the company Planar Motors.
[infotext icon]B&R is an innovative automation company with headquarters in Austria and subsidiaries all over the world. B&R has been a business unit of ABB since 6 July 2017. The industry leader in industrial automation provides customers from a wide range of sectors with complete solutions in machine and factory automation, drive and control technology, visualisation and integrated safety technology.Source: B&R
