Challenge: Support a lens using a central vacuum axis while simultaneously pushing 50 N on each of the 4 corners at a rate of 2”/sec each axis. Life expectancy to be a near constant duty cycle of 50 weeks per year, 7 days per week.
Solution: Five axis system comprised:
1) Qty 1 central hub with integrated Vacuum Axis Actuator to grip and support the lens. This axis is driven by an external nut leadscrew stepper motor that pushes a drive shaft, which includes fittings for the customer’s vacuum system. This hub is designed to be integrated onto the end of the customers’ ABB IRB 1200-7-0.7.
2) Qty 4 End Effector Actuators utilizing servo motors and wrap brackets to drive a 5mm dia x 2mm ballscrew. This actuator utilizes linear guides to support the ~20 deg angle these actuators are mounted at relative to the central hub. The ballscrew pushes a drive shaft and customer specified rubber end effector to push the corners of the lenses.
Key Characteristics: Design utilized various designs per axis:
- Vacuum Actuator: Helix linear leadscrew and nut, Moons’ hollow shaft stepper motor
- End Effector Actuator: Eichenberger ballscrew, Omron servo motor and drives
Result: Precision lens press that allows for high speed assembly of glasses lenses. Customer’s initial design did not work but a preliminary look by MOSO engineering revealed several key design flaws and design changes that would meet the requirements easily. MOSP had the specific expertise in designing high level actuator systems. After one system had been successfully built, tested, and delivered. The customer worked with MOSO through several months of iterations and evolving requirements. What started out as a modification to an existing design eventually became a fully custom clean sheet MOSO design.
