GE Fanuc Automation To Launch New Motion Control Solutions For Machine Tool Applications At WESTEC 2005
Combining World-Renowned FANUC Motion Technology with Couplings, Gearheads and Linear Scales Reduces Engineering Time and Costs, Increases Performance
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - GE Fanuc Automation Americas, Inc., a unit of GE Infrastructure, will be showcasing new, pre-engineered motion control solutions that combine world-renowned FANUC technology with Zero-Max® axis and spindle motor couplings, Bayside® PS and RS gearheads, and Mitutoyo® AT553 linear scales – at the WESTEC Advanced Productivity Exposition 2005 in Los Angeles, April 4-7 (Booth #3058). These new motion control solutions help machine tool builders (MTBs) reduce engineering time and costs while improving system performance by pre-engineering and -selecting optimum motor couplings, gearheads and linear scales.
"FANUC servo and spindle motor performance continues to increase," explained Paul Webster, CNC motion manager for GE Fanuc Automation. "The motors provide higher torque, faster acceleration and lower inertia. These attributes place high demands on the mechanical system, and selecting the correct accompanying components is very important to optimum performance. Our coupling, gearhead and linear scale selections are pre-matched to the mechanical design and performance attributes of the motors – which provides a significant time savings to MTBs and ensures best-in-class motion control."
Motor Couplings
Available in February from GE Fanuc, the Zero-Max ServoClass® and CD® series of couplings offer high torsional stiffness and low inertia for precision motion control and are ideally matched to the GE Fanuc Alpha i series of servo and spindle motors. The benefits of ServoClass and CD class coupling include: ideal for high-speed applications, precision positioning accuracy, clamp hubs for secure shaft/hub connections, and proven in demanding servo applications.
"GE Fanuc is striving to provide solutions to complex machine design needs," Webster continued. "By working closely with Zero-Max, we are able to offer a pre-engineered solution to power transmission needs. We have completed the engineering to help the MTBs and are able to offer a complete solution that is ideally matched to the high performance, low inertia Alpha is servo motors and the high RPM, high power Alpha i spindle motors."
PS and RS Gearheads
By working closely with Bayside Motion Group, GE Fanuc matched its industry-leading servomotors with Bayside PS and RS gearheads to provide a complete power transmission solution. Stealth Advanced PS and RS are Bayside Motion Group's highest performance servo gearhead – ideally matched to the high-performance Alpha is servomotors.
GE Fanuc will offer Stealth inline gearheads (PS) and right angle (RS) gearheads in gear ratios from 3 to 10 times reduction. These pre-engineered gear-reduction solutions offer: high performance matched to FANUC Alpha and Beta is servomotors; flexibility – with inline, right angle and multiple gear ratios available for most GE Fanuc servomotors; gearhead and adapter pre-selected for each motor with only the gear ratio needing to be determined; and higher gear ratios available on request
AT553 Linear Scales
In conjunction with Mitutoyo, GE Fanuc now offers linear glass scales – which can increase position accuracy, lower the effects of backlash, and help compensate for the effects of thermal expansion in a machine tool. GE Fanuc selected Mitutoyo based on the company's excellent design and the use of the fast, accurate and secure FANUC communication protocol. Using FANUC serial communications (as opposed to 1Vp-p or quadrature feedback devices) vastly improves the feedback solution. Additionally, Mitutoyo has achieved the best-in-class response speed of 150m/min with its Absolute Linear Scale and has achieved the best-in-class vibration resistance of 20G and impact resistance of 35G in Absolute scale units. Optimized for long-duration and complicated tasks, Mitutoyo linear scales are available in conjunction with FANUC servomotors for high-accuracy, high-speed machining, linear motors and heavy cutting.
About GE Fanuc Automation
GE Fanuc Automation, a joint venture between GE and FANUC LTD of Japan, delivers automation hardware and software designed to help users reduce costs, increase efficiency and enhance profitability. With solutions and services catering to virtually every industrial segment, GE Fanuc Automation provides a diverse array of capabilities and products, including controllers, embedded systems, advanced software, motion control, CNCs, operator interfaces, industrial computers, and lasers. Headquartered in Charlottesville, VA, GE Fanuc Automation is a part of GE Infrastructure and combines the diverse global strengths of the GE family with the local presence customers need to design, develop and maintain their automation investments.
For more information, visit www.gefanuc.com or contact: GE Fanuc Information Center, P.O. Box 8106, Charlottesville, VA 22906, Phone: (800) GE FANUC (800-433-2682), Fax: 434-978-5205, e-mail: gefanuc@gefanuc.com.
Source: GE Fanuc Automation