What if your machine is running up against the technical limits of acceleration and deceleration? Apex Dynamics recently advised a major manufacturer of Laser cutting tables on optimizing their linear drive. A customized use of low-backlash gearboxes, pinions, and racks increased effective output while preventing overload, tripping drives, and excessive wear. We discuss the trade-offs and benefits of each component and how it ultimately led to a better performing machine at a lower cost.
The cutting tables are used for processing wood, steel, aluminum, leather, textile and plastic plates. After years of development and optimization, the machine was up against the technical limitations of the design and so it was time for a revision. The entire construction of the Laser cutting table has been revised; as many lightweight materials as possible have been used and great care was taken in the selection of components.
With this modified design, performance has been improved (higher output), repeatability has increased (smaller dimensional tolerances of the final product), delivery time has been shortened and the cost price of the machine has decreased (optimized system delivery). The machine has been running for some time in a pilot setup and is performing above expectations.
Read the full article to find out which components were chosen to make all this happen…