BOSCH Rexroth has demonstrated electromechanical cylinders and ball rails that it says could dramatically cut the energy consumption of motion control systems.
The new products are part of a company initiative targeting energy efficiency. They employ a combination of technologies -- including sealing, energy recovery and energy-on-demand - that enable drives and control systems to make significant efficiency gains.
A key feature among the new energy-efficient products is a low-friction sealing technology that's employed on some of Bosch Rexroth's ball rails. The seals, which reside between the runner block and the rail of the company's Size 25 ball rail systems, are said to offer significant energy consumption advantages.
Rexroth says its eLine Profiled Rail systems also save energy by using aluminium instead of steel on prescribed components within the design. The aluminium enables the system to cut energy consumption because the driven components are lighter.
The company also demonstrated an electromechanical cylinder that illustrates the energy-on-demand concept. Known as EMC, the cylinder burns no energy when not in use and can replace hydraulic or pneumatic systems in applications requiring positioning accuracy and repeatability.
Known as 4EE (for Energy Efficiency), Bosch Rexroth's new initiative focuses on more sustainable manufacturing systems, according to the company.
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