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Design and fabrication of magnetic couplings in vacuum robots

Pinkuan Liu (State Key Laboratory of Mechanical System and Vibration, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China)
Yulin Wang (State Key Laboratory of Mechanical System and Vibration, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China)
Jun Wu (State Key Laboratory of Mechanical System and Vibration, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China)

Industrial Robot

ISSN: 0143-991x

Article publication date: 1 May 2009

472

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the design and fabrication of magnetic couplings to use for vacuum robots. The permanent magnetic coupling (PMC) is appropriate for torque transmission in ultrahigh vacuum and highly clean environments. However, conventional structures of PMC are always unsuitable to use for vacuum robots.

Design/methodology/approach

Two types of design scheme for radial magnetic couplings are introduced and compared. The major characteristic of the novel design scheme is that the inner part uses a nonmagnetic mantle to enclose the magnets and yoke, and the outer part uses two end closures to position magnets. The locating groove on the end closure may be manufactured as T‐shape or dovetail shape.

Findings

The 3D finite element analysis simulation results and experimental studies have demonstrated that the proposed Design B had a lower contamination rate and a higher transmission efficiency than the Design A.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of the research to date is that issues of control, path‐planning, and communication have not yet been addressed.

Practical implications

The proposed PMC is successfully applied in vacuum robots which uses combined direct drive techniques and magnetic transmit techniques.

Originality/value

These results suggest that the proposed PMC is suitable for using in vacuum robots.

Keywords

Citation

Liu, P., Wang, Y. and Wu, J. (2009), "Design and fabrication of magnetic couplings in vacuum robots", Industrial Robot, Vol. 36 No. 3, pp. 230-237. https://doi.org/10.1108/01439910910950487

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2009, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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