Page 17 - trends in automation
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SupraLinearMotion, the superconductor
is passively cooled using liquid nitrogen.
The distance and position relative to the
magnetic rail is maintained and stable
hovering becomes feasible. There are
many possible applications of the
SupraHandling system in automation.
It also offers advantages such as free-
dom from noise and wear as well as the
maintaining of a defined distance. The
soft suspension and the low energy use
enable gentle movements without any
additional expenditure.
The contactless gripper
The SupraPicker is a magnetic gripper with
superconductive bearings. It completes a
handling operation outside and inside an
hermetically sealed room. The gripper,
which hovers thanks to superconductivity,
first picks up a vial magnetically, conveys
it through a lock into an hermetically
sealed room and places it in the designated
position. The SupraPicker demonstrates
the benefits of the contactless, stable,
superconductive bearing system, which
opens up new opportunities for handling
applications. Once the magnetic field is
The SupraPicker
completes a handling
operation outside and
inside an hermetically
sealed room.
Prof. Dr. Werner Hanke,
Julius Maximilian University of
Würzburg, Institute for Theoretical
Physics and Astrophysics
Moving pictures:
Simply scan the QR code
to watch the video.
One more question
trends in automation:
What areas of application do you
envisage for superconductors?
Prof. Hanke:
The enormous energy-
saving potential has already been
demonstrated in lab tests, in which
the superconductive material was
used not only in electric cables, but
also in motors and generators as
well as in magnetic energy storage
systems.
A key application for automation
technology is offered by magnetic
levitation technology, whereby a
superconductor is suspended over a
conventional magnetic material with
absolutely no friction. This allows
stable and energy-efficient bearings
that can operate without complex in-
strumentation and control measures.
It would also be possible to control
the movement of objects. It could be
used for applications in ultra-clean
areas in the biotech, pharmaceutical
or food industries, for example, as
operation is contactless.
The SupraHandling
system
moves two hovering slides
on magnetic rails with
superconductive bearings.
stored, the magnet that performs the
gripping function and the superconductor
can be physically separated without any
problems – for example, by a plexiglass
wall. The SupraPicker features active
cooling of the superconductive material
using a small electrical cooling unit. This
does away with the need for auxiliary
units for cooling, transporting and storing
liquid nitrogen, which makes potential
industrial use much easier. The unit also
operates extremely energy efficiently –
requiring only around 80 watts.
2.2013
trends in automation
Compass
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