Tooling machines use MAC800

American company Motion Control Systems has specialised in the manufacture of very large tooling systems for large parts with curved surfaces. To provide a holding fixture that can hold the curved section during tooling, a large number of actuators, each fitted with a vacuum cup are used. Computer generated data-sets configure the holding fixture into the 3-dimensional curved form required. Typical customers for this type of system include the aviation industry.

These systems use specially developed actuators that have a large range of movement based on an internal ball screw. Great emphasis is put on the accuracy of movement, and since a large number of actuators are used in each system, there are high demands on operational reliability and on finding the most economic way of producing each actuator.

MCS has been working with such systems since the beginning of the 1990s and has supplied a large number of systems totalling many many thousands of actuators.

In the fourth quarter of 2006, Motion Control Systems delivered a further developed, state-of-the-art system. This system uses JVL’s integrated MAC800 motors in each actuator, providing a set-up time of less than 4 seconds.

MCS developed the mechanical design of the system, integrated the hardware, designed the electrical system and the motion control network.

In this way MCS achieved a very robust system at relatively little cost, controlled by software with very advanced technical features. MCS has emphasised the advantage of simplification by having all the electronics integrated into each actuator.

The actuators can be extended to a length of up to 1.22 m (48 in) and MCS’s standard software supports up to 500 units. Accuracy of movement is 0.05 mm (0.002 in) and load capacity is up to 250 kg (550 lbs).

 

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