Hybrid micro production system driven by piezoelectric actuators and linear motors

In the project HyMoFlex the companies Anfotec, BWA-Werkzeugbau and Fraunhofer Institute LBF cooperated in order to develop a hybrid micro-production system mainly designed for lifting and gripping processes in the automation field. The innovative combination of piezoelectric and linear motor components, reduces cycle times, raises production quality, adapts to the production processes and can be operated together with a sensory piezoelectric gripping system. The motion sequence can be programmed and allows very precise positioning at high dynamics. The gripper is equipped with a force feedback controller that doses the forces to avoid damages on the held workpiece. A demonstrator showing small metal workpieces being pulled out from a magazine has been created to show the benefits of this approach. This project highlights the potential of piezoelectric actuators in combination with linear motor technology in the production and automation sector and was funded by BMBF: KMUI n novativ-Produktionsforschung.