Plant Services - September 2007 - (Page 35) TECHNOLOGY TOOLBOX Mechatronics redux Integrating mechanics, electronics and software empowers power transmission T he term mechatronics originally referred to electroeffect is reversed when the field is removed. MR fluids consist mechanical systems. As engineering and technolof iron particles suspended in an oil, water or glycol, with addiogy have evolved, so has mechatronics. It now comtives that modify lubricity, viscosity and wear. MR fluids aren’t bines mechanics, electronics, control systems and software. sensitive to moisture or contaminants, and they can function This interdisciplinary engineering field provides a means to across broad temperature ranges. control advanced hybrid systems. Servo drive, motor manOperating in valve mode, with fixed magnetic poles, the ager and magneto-rheological systems are examples of influids are appropriate for hydraulic controls, servo valves, dustrial mechatronic systems. Mechanical applications can dampers and shock absorbers, according to Lord Corp., a be converted to mechatronic systems through upgrades and supplier of MR technology. The direct-shear mode, with a add-ons. Replacing mechanical drives with servo drives moving pole, is suitable for clutches and brakes, chucking/ can increase speed while reducing downtime, locking devices, dampers, breakaway devices startup time and changeover time. and structural composites. The Rexroth IndraDrive Mi is a drive sysMR-based clutches consume less energy When MR fluids tem that integrates motion control electronics than mechanical clutches, provide greater respond to a with a servo motor. It has built-in PdM techcontrollability and minimize off-state drag. magnetic field, MR fluids enable the clutches to be smaller nology, with an integrated PLC that provides advanced monitoring for machine wear. Atand have fewer moving parts. MR brakes prothey instantly taching the drive to the long axis of the motor vide better control and are responsive in less change to a saves space in comparison to standalone motor than 10 milliseconds. semi-solid. and drive systems. The unit is half the size of Linde Group worked with Lord to incora conventional servo solution and about oneporate MR technology into Linde’s line of third the size of other integrated solutions. Active reach trucks. A variable-torque MR A single cable handles power and SERCOS communicarotary damper, position sensor, bearings and steering wheel tions. As many as 20 drives can be linked without additional shaft are packaged as a compact Tactical Feedback Device. distribution boxes or cabinet modifications. Multiple strings The MR damper allows steering wheel torque to be a funcof drives can be connected parallel to a single supply unit. tion of the truck operation and provide instinctive steering GE Multilin MM300 is a compact, low-voltage motor control, which improves productivity and safety. The Linde manager. This mechatronic system provides motor protecRheological Steering (LRS) system, which features individtion, control automation, communications, metering and ually adjustable steering resistance, is standard equipment in diagnostics. The unit offers continuous motor health monithe R 25 S Active reach truck. toring and diagnostics, and customizable automation and Mechatronics Zone within Design News is an online clearprogrammable control logic. It can communicate using ing house of mechatronic-related news and announcements. Modbus and either DeviceNet or Profibus DP protocols. Robert Bishop has written books on the subject, including Mechatronics also is breathing new life into technologies “Mechatronics: An Introduction” and “The Mechatronics such as magneto-rheological (MR) fluids. MR technology Handbook.” Many schools teach mechatronics and some combined with computers, sensors and controls provides have established mechatronic research laboratories. an alternative to electro-mechanical solutions and electro-rheological (ER) fluids. When MR fluids respond to a E-mail Contributing Editor Sheila Kennedy, managing director of magnetic field, they instantly change to a semi-solid, and the Additive Communications, at Sheila@addcomm.com. For more information, see: www.boschrexroth-us.com www.geindustrial.com September 2007 www.lord.com www.linde-mh.com www.PLANTSERVICES.com www.designnews.com www.engnetbase.com 35 http://www.plantservices.com/voices/technology_toolbox.html http://www.boschrexroth-us.com http://www.lord.com http://www.designnews.com http://www.geindustrial.com http://www.linde-mh.com http://www.engnetbase.com http://www.PLANTSERVICES.com
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