Kollmorgen eNews

The robust stainless steel AKMH™ servomotors have been selected as a Golden Mousetrap Finalist in the Automation and Control category. The Awards celebrate the companies, products and people who are energizing North American design, engineering, and manufacturing. The Golden Mousetrap Awards were announced at the Golden Mousetraps Ceremony held February 11, 2014 at the Anaheim Marriott.

The AKMH Servomotor is constructed with materials to provide long-life and trouble-free operation, even with daily exposure to chemicals and high pressure washdowns. AKMH’s single-cable solution reduces the number of potential failure modes and minimizes installation time. The smooth surface design, and use of highly corrosion-resistant 316L stainless steel, decreases the risk of product recalls by reducing the possibility of bacteria growth. The AKMH requires no additional protection and can be sanitized without covering it or removing it from the machine. As a result, food, beverage, packaging, medical, pharmaceutical and converting OEMs can design and build more reliable and productive machines that are easier and faster to clean, thus minimizing unscheduled downtime for end users.

Kollmorgen recently introduced the AKD-N, a distributed servo drive solution that significantly reduces cabinet space and cabling hassle, simplifying machine design, set-up and operation. This drive system leverages robust industry IP67-rated drives positioned next to the motor and supplied by a central power module located in the switchgear cabinet.

An 11 mm diameter hybrid cable delivers power and fieldbus communication to the AKD-N servo drives. As a result, the drives operate directly in series, supplying up to 4 kW per axis. Safe Torque Off functionality is integrated into the system and can be deactivated on an individual or collective basis. This enables machine builders to achieve safety requirements without adding additional contactors to the panel. Typical applications include packaging machines and production systems in the food and beverage industrys.

Kollmorgen introduces MMG series precision linear motor stages. MMG stages deliver nearly twice the accuracy at virtually the same cost as competitive standard-grade options. Lead times of two weeks or less for some models facilitate reduced-time-to-market with a higher performing machine. 

One of the most significant features of MMG stages is an integral anti-creep linear guideway, which can increase uptime by as much as 15% in high duty cycle applications by eliminating the need for homing moves typically required to reset standard crossed roller bearing retainer cages. These stages also feature adjustable limits to reduce the time needed to make adjustments to stage travel, thus reducing prototype development time and system startup costs by up to 10%,” says Ken Huffenus, Marketing Manager, Medical & Lab Automation.