For precise linear movements: Aris actuator

In recent years, Aris has significantly intensified its development work and not only expanded production, but also commissioned a new laboratory with a test centre. The company has also opened up completely new areas of application. While the proven product series such as the aforementioned Tensor or the Nano-series perform high-precision rotary movements, the "Linearis" - as the name suggests - was developed for equally precise linear movements.

Dipl.-Ing. Rolf Schneider, one of the two CEOs of Aris: "With this new series, we are targeting applications such as the adjustment of ventilation and air supply flaps in paint shops in the automotive industry." Here, the precision of the actuators plays an important role in energy management and ultimately also in the quality of the painting process, as contamination must be kept out. For this reason, the Linearis actuators themselves are also - as the technical term goes - "free from paint wetting impairment substances (LABS)".

"dryspin® inside" Advantages for steep threads
The Linearis drives convert the rotary movement of the electric motor into a precise linear movement and, depending on the installation size, generate a positioning force of 600 to 2500 N. A central component in this drive system is the "dryspin®" technology developed by igus®, in which a plastic nut made of wear-resistant high-performance polymer moves on a stainless steel high-helix lead screw.

These lead screws offer specific advantages:
► high pitch ensures large stroke with few revolutions
► Lower load of the drive
► Reduction of the speed
► Reduction of the noise development

ARIS uses dryspin® drives from the igus® standard range, only the outer geometry of the lead screw nut was customised. In the lead screw support block, two axial plain bearings made from the igus®-high-performance polymer
iglidur® Q ensure the absorption of high loads; at the same time, the clearance of the unit can be adjusted via the axial bearing.

Sometimes it takes some convincing
Some customers to whom ARIS presented the new drive were initially sceptical. Michael Andersen: "Initial reservations about plastic as a material were easily dispelled with a little persuasion. The service life calculations from igus® and the test bench results from ARIS speak for themselves, and the fact that the dry-running linear drive is lubricant-free is a big plus in painting systems, as in many other applications."

The same applies to maintenance-free operation: the linear drives previously used in these areas had to be lubricated once a week, which not only costs time but also increases the risk of dirt build-up. In addition, the ARIS sales staff noted that the reference to igus® components was a good "door opener" for some customers, eliminating their scepticism towards plastic.

Good development work
The first prototypes of the new linear drive were initially tested intensively in the ARIS laboratory. The dismantled drive elements were then also analysed by igus® - with positive results. Among other things, this collaboration led to a very short development time. Michael Andersen: "We got the results we needed faster than expected."
 
The tests carried out by ARIS in its own laboratory included load tests on the Linearis system as well as series of tests with different types of contamination. Only when all the tests had been satisfactorily completed did ARIS begin with the market launch, which has already led to many satisfied users. Rolf Schneider: "Linearis has been able to establish itself quickly - in the project planning of new systems and also in the retrofitting and conversion of existing systems."