The Renfrew, UK, facility of Doosan Babcock is benefiting from the use of HepcoMotion’s Profile Driven Unit (PDU2) technology on a machine designed to deliver automated non-destructive testing (NDT) capability. Devised as an enhancement to existing manipulators, the PDU2 and PDU2M belt-driven linear motion systems are providing movement in three axes along with precise positioning.
These techniques are typically employed in the inspection and health monitoring of critical hardware in power stations and oil & gas installations. Among the main requirements for the drive units was rigidity and stiffness in each axis, as this would help deliver the all-important positional repeatability. Although the components being inspected are relatively light, they can measure up to 1 metre in size and vary tremendously in shape.
The recently released PDU2M delivers a 200% increase in moment load capacity and 1000% uplift in moment load stiffness compared with a standard PDU2. Its direct load capacity is 50% greater. The unit is available with a number of carriage designs to allow the rapid and straightforward build of multi-axis systems with minimal requirements for brackets or other hardware. It is rated for operation at speeds of up to 6m/s and available with a choice of motors providing driving forces up to 280N.
