Maxon Motors Introduces New Spindle Drive

Maxon Motors has a new product for converting rotary motion into linear motion—the GP16 precision spindle transforms rotary motion into axial motion when combined with a DC motor. Gearheads, motors, encoders and controllers from Maxon’s standard program are used to drive the spindles, which are available in a metric M6 spindle with a self-locking function or a 5-millimeter ball screw with no self-locking feature. The ball screw, Maxon claims, is highly efficient and has a high-load capacity.

The axial bearing in the motor is central to the function, as it must withstand the high traction and compression from the spindle.

Maxon is offering 14 different reduction ratios for the planetary gearhead. Depending on the combination of reduction ratio and the type of spindle, forces between 35 and 370 N can be achieved. Four hundred N even can be achieved for short periods.

The system can be driven with nine different brushed and brushless motors. The motors also can be equipped with compatible sensors (encoders), which are essential for precise positioning. Easy-to-use-positioning-system controllers are recommended for operating the motor-sensor combination. These controllers feature a wide range of functions as well as CANopen (communication protocol and device profile specification for embedded systems) or EtherCat (ethernet for control automation technology).

Maxon Motors is based in Sachseln, Switzerland, but runs its U.S. operation from Fall River, Mass. Some of the applications for the company’s motors are handheld devices for surgery and dentistry, robotics, and semiconductor equipment. Maxon also operates facilities in San Mateo, Calif.; Camas, Wash.; and Madison, Wis.