Maxon Modifies its DC Servo Gearmotor

Call it a Maxon Motor makeover. The Swiss supplier of high-precision drive systems has modified its EC16 brushless DC servo gearmotor, most notably by giving it a 60-degree winding pattern. Other changes include a neodymium high-performance magnet, higher power output and the ability to withstand sterilization. New features include five winding types, Hall sensors (or none at all) and four high-power motors. The new design reduces torque/speed gradient by about 60 percent and increases the maximum continuous torque by 80 percent, according to the company. In addition, the revamped motors are more stable, have larger bearings, run more softly than their predecessors, perform better than older models and contain both higher forces and higher torque. With its ability to undergo sterilization, the remodeled drive is best suited for demanding medical and hand tool applications.

More info:
(508) 677-0520
www.maxonmotorusa.com

Bern Optics Introduces Tiny Lenses for Big Jobs

Bern Optics Inc. is used to working with small parts, but its latest iteration of submillimeter achromatic lenses takes tiny to the extreme. The Westfield, Mass., company now makes lenses as small as 0.20 millimeters in diameter, which are ideal for use in optical imaging applications such as endoscopes. The most common type of achromat lens, according to the company, is a doublet, a compound lens consisting of two elements cemented together. Some of these micro-miniature optical components are as small as a grain of salt but they nevertheless can be custom engineered, ground and polished to micron tolerances. Besides grinding and polishing these small lenses, Bern Optics also verifies the centration of each element before and after cementing. The lenses can be made with specialized coatings (or not) to meet requirements of the specific application.

More info:
(413) 568-6800
www.bernoptics.com

Cut Costs with SpartanicsCarton Laser Cutting Machine

Spartanics is giving manufacturers of medical devices, pharmaceuticals and other products a simple way to reduce production costs. The Rolling Meadows, Ill.-based firm claims its Carton laser- cutting machine can eliminate the tooling expenses of traditional die-cutting methods, save more than 20 percent in scrap material during a job setup and reduce both job setup time and labor costs by up to 20 percent. The machine, which has a dual laser head design that allows for cutting sheets up to 800 millimeters (31 inches) or more, is ideal for the medical device, biotech, pharmaceutical and other industries that use carton packages. In addition to features such as unlimited part size length and width up to 400 millimeters (16 inches) per scan head, Spartanics’ laser-cutting machine also accurately can cut carton stock of 0.75 millimeters (0.30 inches) or less. The machine equally is versatile with “virgin” or recycled materials and has better scoring capabilities due to parts that perform more effectively in folder-gluer industrial packaging machinery than in traditional die-cut arts. The company also claims its machine features optional bar code reading to quickly adapt to changes in cut configurations, a proprietary fume extraction system and a proprietary system to automatically remove slugs and clean conveyor belts.

More info:
(847) 394-5700
www.spartanics.com