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Compact Linear Motion Solutions & Step Driver

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Helepolis

Mechanical
Dec 13, 2015
198
Hi all,

For the avoidance of doubt, I'm not looking for a characterization of a specific product, rather I'm looking for a manufacturer/supplier that has a line of products that can suit our needs.
(and i have a question, at the end, to which i could find a definitive answer)

I'm working on a device which, in a nut shell, can be described as a glorified syringe pump (medical startup); we have a working prototype (past the POC, and nearing the end of pre-clinical trials) and as i mentioned, looking for a manufacturer/supplier of linear motion solutions to upgrade/replace the current actuator we are using (for the curious, SMC-LEFS16-170, this model is no longer available).
We have our own reasons to replace this actuator (after playing around with it for about 1.5 years), so I'll be grateful if you spare me the questions of why (it won't change our needs).

Of course i did my own googling research but i feel that I can find better solutions, so here are the basic specs required:
[ul]
[li]Compact form factor: the rated force is relatively low of 150N (including factor of safety), but i couldn't find a module+motor/actuator w/slider that can deliver this force and is smaller than the SMC or at least a similar size.[/li]
[li]Compact Step Driver: part of the upgrade is repackaging the whole thing into a smaller device and the generic Step Drivers are too large. Again, i have found a couple of solutions but I feel I need more alternatives.[/li]
[li]Supports prototyping environment: by that i mean that if the actuator comes with integrated (stepper) motor, like the SMC, we can swap the the control components (PLC, Step Driver) without too much hassle. For example, the SMC actuator we use has its own controller that is coupled to it with its own IDE (ACT Controller). It's cumbersome to use when you want to make frequent changes and the actuator wont work without that specific controller.[/li]
[/ul]

If you think i missed something to better "home-in" on the solution, I'll be happy to share.

Another option would be to find separately the stepper w/lead screw & nut, linear guide rail and to design the "linear system", but this is plan B as we want the build-in rigidity of the module/actuator.

The question: after speaking with a (local) representative of linear solutions, he strongly argued that using stepper motor for a syringe pump is a mistake and we should use a servo instead.
So far ALL of the syringe pumps i have encountered (and disassembled), that can deliver micro-liters/hour, had stepper motors for the driving unit, so why reinvent the wheel?

Thanks,
SD
 
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Unable to discern many specifics from your post.

Maybe you're looking for one of those integrated stepper/ballscrew systems that have integrated stepper+driver+controller units. Many on the market. For example: Schneider Electric's Intelligent Motion Systems found at imshome.com

TygerDawg
Blue Technik LLC
Virtuoso Robotics Engineering
 
tygerdawg said:
Unable to discern many specifics from your post.
It's intentional, as i mentioned I'm not looking for someone to identify a specific product for me, but rather a manufacturer/supplier that might have a line of products that answer the three basic requirements I've listed (with a bit of elaboration); Compact size (that can reach 150N axial), Compact or integrated Step Driver and a system that supports prototyping environment (not low-end but neither high-end products, that can work with any 3rd party controllers, in case its not integrated).

If someone wants to be more specific with the help and suggest a specific product, I have no objection in providing more in depth info.

tygerdawg said:
For example: Schneider Electric's Intelligent Motion Systems found at imshome.com
Thanks, I'll have a look at what they have to offer.


hendersdc said:
I have used these in syringe pumps in the past, I think that having a full system like the SMC is overkill and you can pull a lot of cost out.
You are definitely right, the SMC not only an overkill (though we want to keep the closed feedback loop features) it's not intended for that type of use, of slow metered volume injection (wont run under 5mm/s) rather for a repetitive and relatively (to our needs) fast motion.
Regarding your suggestion of Hydon, it's an option but I'm looking for assembled modules (preferably without the motor, so we have the liberty to attach our own), again we have our own reasons.
 
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