Paul Vahle GmbH & Co. KG has presented an innovative solution for contactless energy transfer for the packaging machine industry: the vPOWER U015 Pickup.
The system makes it possible to continuously supply the moving elements, also known as movers, of packaging machines with inductive electrical energy. In this way, customer applications can be Higher process performance than if the electricity has to be transmitted via complex alternative solutions.
The vPOWERU015 pickup is a Standard solution, which can be integrated into various machines. The first systems were realised with the so-called iTRAK from the US company Rockwell Automation, Inc. Other well-known companies are also already interested in the Vahle solution.
„With the vPOWER U015 pickup, we are enabling the packaging industry to high increase in their production volume. In addition, the complexity of the energy supply can be reduced and robustness increased.“
Marc Detweiler, Product Manager at Paul Vahle GmbH & Co. KG
The Contactless energy transfer allows the movers installed in the machines to reach top speeds that cannot be achieved with conventional power transmission systems. With conventional transmission methods such as conductor rails, high speeds cause strong friction between the carbon and copper. This can result in wear to the power supply or, in sensitive sectors such as the food industry, damage to the products being packaged.
Large amount of energy with small size
Selective inductive charging also reduces the production volume, as it can only take place when the machine is at a standstill. The new Vahle pick-up works like a transformer: the primary winding consists of a power cable that is wound around the packaging machine. It generates a permanent, 45A high-frequency current.
The secondary winding is located on the mobile pick-up and absorbs the energy inductively. There is no risk of wear on the cable and there are no open contacts that could lead to faults caused by dirt or water.
The maximum output of the new Vahle pickup is 150W and a voltage of 24VDC. The vPOWER U015 pickup is only 67.4 x 67.4 x 71 mm in size and weighs just 650 g. „Vahle is the first supplier to offer a System for inductive transmission of this amount of energy in this small size and with this low weight,“ says Detweiler.
So far, Vahle has installed the system in four test installations for customers in the packaging machine sector. These include the iTRAK from Rockwell Automation, Inc. In principle, the vPOWER U 015 pickup is suitable for almost all systems as long as good mechanical guidance is available.
Source: Paul Vahle GmbH & Co. KG
