XPlanar - levitating transport

The industrial transport revolution is coming. During the 5th edition of Warsaw Industry Week, which will take place on November 8-10, 2021 at Ptak Warsaw Expo, Beckhoff will present the latest, innovative transport system – XPlanar.

During the International Fair of Innovative Industrial Solutions at Ptak Warsaw Expo, the Beckhoff company, specializing in the implementation of open automation systems, will present its offer. Bekhoff is a recognized brand, cooperating with partners all over the world – present in 75 countries on all continents.

The latest transport system – XPlanar, which will be displayed at the Beckhoff stand during the Warsaw Industry Week fair, is an innovative solution that starts a new era in transporting objects. XPlanar combines the advantages of a conventional approach and adds the effect of free flow of products. As a result, it offers a wide range of new product handling functions within one machine or between several machines. As with autonomous vehicles, the user enjoys the freedom to freely move the platforms. Importantly, individual goods can be transported to any place, along any trajectory.

XPlanar combines flexibility with the dynamics of linear motors, thus offering unrivaled optimization of production cycle times, including through the concept of product positioning also during processing. The use of levitating transport pallets that replace all mechanical elements – drastically reduces the costs of the application itself and its subsequent maintenance, and the use of as many as six degrees of freedom allows for a significant simplification of the mechanics of individual production stages.

Innovative technology

The phenomenon of the solution proposed by Beckhoff is the fact that platforms transporting products fly over special plates, which are an essential element of the system. This is possible thanks to the electromagnetic force, which maintains a constant distance between the platforms and the ground, so that they can move freely without hitting the ground. The tiles can be laid in any configuration, making it possible to flexibly install the communication route, while the software enables the continuous optimization of the transport path. The fact that the technology is based on electromagnetic force allows the platforms to move over walls and ceilings.

The platforms are fully mobile. With their help, it is possible to weigh, lift and lower transported objects within the range of 5 millimeters, and the ability of the platforms to perform a full rotation facilitates their appropriate positioning. Moreover, each single platform can drive separately, which makes it possible to set a separate speed of one vehicle.

The highest speed at which the platforms can move is 4 m / s, while the degree of load depends on the size of the pallet. Beckhoff offers several variants. The smallest size is 95 x 95 x 12mm and the largest is 275 x 275 x 12mm. The largest of the platforms can carry a product weighing 6 kilograms, and the platforms can be combined into groups, which increases the capacity in terms of lifting capacity.

Keep the factory clean

The degree of inclination of the platform during movement is up to 5 degrees, which allows for safe transport of liquids with them, without the risk of splashing the ground. In addition, maintaining cleanliness is facilitated by the possibility of leveling the pallets and the lack of emission of particles, as well as the elimination of sudden movements and jerks that cause the products to spill or scatter. Due to the fact that the platforms do not touch the ground, there is also no risk of contamination spreading through the factory. The ground above which the platforms levitate can be covered with: easy-to-clean glass, hygienic stainless steel material or a plastic material.

The innovative XPlanar system offers a wide range of applications, and also guarantees an increase in the efficiency of the production line and a reduction in production time.

Apart from the pallets and drive modules, the only component required for operation is a Beckhoff industrial computer with TwinCAT 3 software and an EtherCAT cable. The real-time TwinCAT system works as a motion controller for levitating paddles and prevents collisions between them.

More information: https://www.beckhoff.com/pl-pl/products/motion/xplanar-planar-motor-system/xplanar-planar-motor-system.html