HepcoMotion announces GFX-r guidance system for Beckhoff’s XTS
29 November 2023
In the past decade, HepcoMotion and Beckhoff have forged a strong relationship, yielding the linear SCT (smart conveyor technology) product in the form of GFX/XTS. In that time, there has been a major uptake of SCT.
As early adopters have seen significant benefits in performance, service life, capabilities, and flexibility, GFX/XTS has become their go-to product for smart conveyor technology for many industries. These included pharmaceutical, food handling and processing, mid-line and end-of-line packaging, EV battery assembly and handling, inspection, and product sorting operations.
With thousands of metres of GFX/XTS out in the market, working year-in, year-out, industry confidence in the product is very high, the companies say.
Incredibly flexible, the Beckhoff XTS drive uses unique linear motor technology to drive and control movers independently around a track, enabling the seamless combination of work processes of varying durations, on-the-fly product changes, and the addition or removal of workstations as needed.
Hepco's GFX serves as the transport path, mechanically guiding the movers along the motor modules. It absorbs the substantial forces acting on the movers, ensuring precise alignment and resistance to deflection with great precision.
Growing market demand for higher loads
Smart transportation systems are undergoing strong growth, marked by a noticeable increase in higher-load applications.
Responding to this market demand, HepcoMotion is expanding its range of guidance solutions for Beckhoff’s XTS with the new GFX-r, a system providing movement in rectangular paths.
Based on the existing GFX design and incorporating the inherent flexibility and precision of GFX/XTS technology, the curved segments have been removed, enabling transportation of payloads up to 40kg.
The technology that makes it happen
GFX-r is the integration of Beckhoff and Hepco’s TMS (Track Management System) and the increased drive capacity of XTS 7 & 10 pole magnet arrays. By removing the curved sections, a larger mover, powered by Beckhoff's longer magnet arrays can be used. TMS completes the rectangular path, transitioning movers between tracks.
Increased payload capacity
With an impressive load-bearing capability, GFX-r is ready to make a significant impact across many industries, including automotive and EV, aerospace, and logistics. GFX-r is ideally suited for machine cells incorporating robots, power tools and sensors, as well as for automated assembly and inspection systems.
The possibilities are endless; indeed, any application with loads up to 40kg, significant moment loads, and heightened in-process stresses, stands to gain immensely.
The absence of curved motor sections allows movers to be stronger, more powerful and with a larger mounting platform, while maintaining accuracy, durability, and agility. Mover speeds of 4m/s, payloads up to 40kg and press loads up to 1,500N are possible.
Additionally, movers with longer magnet arrays also reduce heating losses by up to 60 percent. GFX-r is available in both four and six bearing versions for increased strength and stability.
Seamless integration of expertise for optimal performance
GFX-r utilises the existing parts and expertise that have made GFX/XTS, the industry-leading solution including GFX-PRT2 straight slide hardware, base plates, and motor brackets, as well as Beckhoff’s XTS motors and TwinCAT system. GFX-r offers repeatability of 10µm, even when carrying a 30kg payload at a speed of 3m/s.
GFX-r is available now. For more information, please visit www.hepcomotion.com.
Contact Details and Archive...