Rounded off at the top
NC rotary tables are often used in industrial automation when components need to be positioned flexibly and precisely in rotation. IEF-Werner offers a broad portfolio of solutions that differ in size and load capacity, among other things. The specialist has now extended the DT series, which is equipped with high-quality, grease-lubricated worm gears, upwards with the DT 160/200 rotary table.
Furtwangen, 01.07.2024
"NC rotary tables are ideal for handling and assembly applications that require flexible positioning," product manager Thomas Hettich from IEF-Werner explains. The rotary movement on the 360-degree circle is not only freely programmable, but also fast and repeatable.
The right table for every case
IEF-Werner offers NC rotary tables for various tasks. These differ in their size, axial load capacity and precision. The rotary table of the TP 004 series, for example, is a simply designed unit consisting of a high-quality planetary gear and a drive motor as the main components. The TP 004 is available with various gear ratios. The special feature of this solution is that the rotary table can be customised to the required torques or rotational speeds during the design process. The robust system can be loaded with up to 1,200 newtons in the axial direction. Various motors can be adapted to the rotary table.
IEF-Werner provides the compact and lightweight turning units of the miniTURN series to position small parts quickly and precisely, for example in micro-assembly, the semiconductor industry or in measurement technology. They are also freely programmable and powerful. Depending on the version, the axial load capacity is 200, 300 or 500 Newton, the torque 2, 4.2 or 6.8 Newton metres. The output speed for all versions is a maximum of 117 revolutions per minute.
Precision in the foreground
With the DT series, IEF-Werner has rotary tables with a high-quality worm gear in its programme. The typical design of this type of gear allows the backlash to be adjusted. All DT series turntables have a generously dimensioned hollow shaft. The design therefore has sufficient clearance to run hoses and cables through the centre. The force is generated by servo or stepper motors. Free positioning at any angle of the circular movement is performed by an NC or PLC controller.
This series is available in three different versions. The smallest version, DT 80/100, can be axially loaded with up to 1,000 newtons. The maximum output speed is 70 revolutions per minute and achieves output torques of up to 20 Newton metres. The low dead weight of less than 1.5 kilograms is particularly advantageous in dynamic handling systems. The DT 100/140 can already absorb axial loads of up to 5,000 newtons and achieves output torques of up to 40 newton metres at a maximum output speed of 60 revolutions per minute. Various motor mounting variants enable customised adaptation to the space available in the system. "With our DT series, operators benefit from rotary tables with which they can approach any angle and are not tied to a fixed pitch - as is the case with many solutions from market competitors," IEF expert Hettich compares. They can adapt them at any time, for example if other pitches or new positions are required.
Extended upwards
"Now, we have expanded this series with the DT 160/200 version, rounding it off at the top end," Hettich reports. "With a dead weight of 9.8 kilograms, this version can now absorb significantly higher forces." The maximum output s peed is 60 revolutions per minute, the axial load capacity is up to 14,000 newtons and the maximum output torque is 80 newton metres. "We regularly received requests from our customers for applications in which the two smaller versions had reached their load limits - for example, because the structure for the workpiece holder was too large and too heavy for the rotary table," the IEF expert says. In order to better meet customer requirements, IEF-Werner decided to optimise or expand the DT series. Amongst others, the centre bore was made larger and the bearing was optimised in order to also be able to absorb higher loads and torques.
Flexible installation
IEF-Werner has equipped the DT series turntables with long-term lubrication. "Compared to our competitors, we lubricate with grease and not oil," Thomas Hettich explains. This is not only cheaper for the operator, but also safer. This is because it minimises the requirements for tightness. It makes the rotary tables particularly suitable for sensitive sectors such as the food and pharmaceutical industries. As the rotary tables can be installed in any position, they can be used flexibly thanks to their design. This is not always the case with oil lubrication. The low-maintenance rotary table can be easily relubricated via a grease nipple. Another advantage of the DT series is that the gearboxes can be combined with different motors, regardless of the manufacturer. Corresponding motor flanges including plug-in coupling systems are available for this purpose. Like all rotary tables in the DT series, the DT160/200 can be optionally equipped with a reference point switch. The new development is used wherever components need to be positioned flexibly and precisely in a rotary manner within an industrial automation system.
