The range of applications for welding technology in automotive and machine construction is diverse. The range of equipment used is accordingly broad, from simple welders all the way to large systems with a welding controller and positioners. For these positioning units Nabtesco has developed precision gear heads of the RS series with integrated angular gears.
The RS series gear heads were specially developed for secure and precise positioning of heavy loads. The main bearing integrated in the gear is designed for axial loads of up to nine tones (RS-900A). In addition, the cast iron base allows easy, stable and durable floor mounting of the gears. The motor is mounted at a right angle for easy access. This compact design and high torque capacity make the RS series gears superior to conventional cam gears and worm gears.
Compact powerhouse
The new RS series from Nabtesco adds a powerful, ready-to-install package to the company’s product portfolio. The gears were specially developed for welding positioning systems used for secure and precise positioning of extremely heavy loads weighing up to nine tons. But the RS series also offers interesting prospects for other applications, such as rotary transfer systems. Naturally, this new development from Nabtesco features maximum precision: as with other gear series the cycloid construction, proven a million times over, is used for the power transfer. The extremely low backlash of less than one angular minute means less wear and therefore a longer life.
In the currently available sizes the rated torque is between 3,136 and 8,820 Nm and the maximum permissible braking torque is 17,640 Nm. At peak loads such as in an emergency stop the gears can absorb loads between 15,680 Nm (RS-320A) and 35,280 Nm (RS-900A), due to the cycloid design. “The axial payload capacity of up to nine tones is above average for this size,” emphasises Marcus Löw, Manager Sales Department at Nabtesco Precision Europe in Düsseldorf. “With overall heights between 345 and 400 mm the RS gear heads are extremely compact, which allows the construction of especially small machines.” The latter is also enhanced by the hollow middle axis of the RS series, which can be used for cable feed-throughs, etc. The compact design is also made possible by the integrated angular gear.
Installation friendliness and easy handling were also taken into account during the product development. Filled with lubricant and completely sealed, the assembly is immediately ready for use and can be mounted both horizontally and vertically. In addition, the RS series gears are compatible with numerous different servo motors and are delivered with the necessary flanges and couplings.
The huge success of Nabtesco gears is due to the high quality and the broad spectrum of the company’s products: Nabtesco offers a large selection of compact solid shaft and hollow shaft gears with a rated torque of up to 22,000 Nm, which are available from other manufacturers often only up to 11,000 Nm. Also, keeping costs and efficiency in mind, the development engineers strive to the greatest extent possible to approach physically impossible limits, such as the absolutely backlash-free gear. The goal: to implement the technologically best, yet economically feasible solutions for users.
New gear series also in enclosed version
Another example of the unparalleled innovative spirit of the Nabtesco engineers: the new reduction gears of the RV-N series, which now are also available in an enclosed version. This ready-to-install version simplifies assembly significantly, for fast and easy integration of the compact and powerful gear heads in the drive train.
Numerous applications such as robotics, as well as rotary tables, machine tools and others require high torques, but offer only limited installation space. In addition, very fast and precise positioning movements have to be carried out with high payloads, and without backlash. This is exactly where the RV-N series shows its strengths: it is especially lightweight and compact, yet has a heavy-duty construction, which makes it ideal for entirely new applications. The compact design is achieved by means of a main bearing with an integrated inner race. High power density is achieved among other things by reinforcement of the eccentric shaft bearing.
The dimensions of the new gear are much more compact than the previous series – the power data remains at a comparable level with an average reduction by one size. Reduction of the weight by 40 % reduces the mass inertia and therefore improves the load conditions. Special heat treatment of all components during the production process ensures high thermal stability of the gears and a significantly longer service life. The series is available in diverse sizes with rated torques from 245 to 7,000 Nm for numerous applications.
