Acting with our finger on the pulse.
To depowder components after 3D printing, Solukon Maschinenbau GmbH develops depowdering systems – for example, the Solukon SFM-AT350 for medium-sized parts.
For the compact two-axis swivel system, mechanical engineers needed powerful, robust and, above all, space-saving drives.
In addition to Lean bevel geared motors, STOBER also supplied the extremely compact Lean planetary geared motor. The encoderless Lean motor series is an inexpensive and rugged alternative to synchronous servo motors.
Space-saving drives for compact two-axis swivel systems
Depowdering with Solukon.
The interiors of metal parts printed using the selective laser melting process are full of powder after the printing process. For all subsequent processing steps, all the powder must be removed from the workpieces. This is more difficult with complex-shaped components – particularly if there is a labyrinth of channels inside the components.
All depowdering systems are based on Solukon Smart Powder Recuperation technology (SPR®): The powder is made flowable by automated swiveling around two axes and systematic vibration excitation. Even very fine channels drain off reliably and in a controlled manner – and are returned to the process.
The new SFM-AT350 – and its technical challenges.
The SFM-AT350 is one of the latest depowdering system developments. Solukon launched it in the fall of 2021. The features a particularly low chamber volume and a compact design.
As a result, Solukon needed particularly space-saving drive solutions during development, both for the endless rotation of the turntable on which the component is mounted and for the horizontally moving swivel arm.
„STOBER provided us with excellent support during the development of the 2-axis swivel system. With the components installed, we succeeded in creating an extremely compact footprint with strong performance. And with the low-backlash geared motors, we were also able to improve the tracing of the tracks and created better transitions during the tilting movements. This makes the SFM-AT350 a highly functional workhorse.”
– Andreas Hartmann, CEO and CTO, Solukon Maschinenbau GmbH
„The Lean geared motors are controlled via the SC6 stand-alone drive controller. Characteristic features of this controller are the integrated power supply and slim design. For functional safety, STOBER developed the SU6 safety module. It offers Solukon an economically attractive and energy-efficient solution for STO and SS1 safety functions via the PROFIsafe safety protocol.“
– Udo Cyrol, Head of South-East Sales Center, STOBER
The STOBER solution.
Previously, they used servo drives in the depowdering systems. But in order to build even more compactly without losing performance now, we recommended our sensorless Lean gear motors.
The advantages: A high-precision planetary gear unit and a first-class helical bevel gear unit combined with an energy-efficient, encoderless and rugged Lean motor – particularly efficient for precisely fitting, compact machine concepts.
Completely without encoder
With a STOBER Lean gear motor, speed and torque can be controlled infinitely from a stalled position to maximum speed with full torque control – and it operates completely without sensor elements.
This also means that only a single-shielded standard power cable is required It reduces installation effort considerably. Lean geared motors are well-suited to automation tasks that involve rotation and vibration – as in Solukon’s depowdering system.
Efficient double-axis controller
The Lean geared motors at Solukon can be controlled with the SC6, a 45 millimeter wide drive controller with integrated power supply. The machine manufacturer uses this as a double-axis controller with a nominal output current of up to 2 x 19 amps. The compact stand-alone device is suitable for drive-based applications with up to four axes.
Functional Safety
For functional safety, STOBER developed the SU6 safety module, which is optionally available for the drive controllers. It offers Solukon an economically attractive solution for STO and SS1 safety functions via the PROFIsafe safety protocol. The SC6 is predestined for use in safety-instrumented systems up to SIL 3, PL e, category 4. Designers can, for example, implement an emergency stop in accordance with EN 13850 – or avoid an unexpected start-up in accordance with EN 14118.
The functionality of the controller’s communication interface is also PROFINET certified. The highly dynamic drive controller operates quietly and reliably in the background, even during demanding movements.
Photos: Solukon Maschinenbau GmbH/Jo Teichmann Fotografie
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