The topic of system solutions is nothing new for SEW-Eurodrive: Under the umbrella of the previous 'Maxolution' business unit, the drive technology specialist has been putting together various automation packages for a wide range of applications since 2007. In order to better meet the specific requirements of each target industry, the new 'Machine Automation' business unit, which focuses on complete mechatronic systems, was launched on March 1 under the Maxolution brand.

"We don't primarily want to automate machines that anyone can automate. Rather, we see ourselves ideally positioned where complex industry and application-specific requirements are at the forefront," says Jörg Peters.

© SEW

The Bruchsal-based company intends to achieve "greater market penetration in future than in the past" thanks to the strong bundling of expertise that has taken place as a result, according to the new Head of Product Solution Machine Automation, Jörg Peters. In detail, SEW understands machine automation as recurring processes of several functional modules to be coordinated within a limited machine room with clearly defined input and output interfaces of the material flow and optional system interfaces to other machine modules.

For the resulting tasks, the company will in future offer holistic 'best-of-class' solutions with a special focus on motion control, which are scalable across the entire classic automation pyramid. Peters: "Even if we clearly want to be responsible for the complete control architecture in machines, we will not close our minds if the customer wants to continue working with a control system from another supplier, for example." The Bruchsal-based company is focusing on sectors to which it already has good historical market access.

Parallel kinematics as a complete package

On show for the first time at the Hannover Messe 2018: The new concepts for parallel kinematics robots from Bruchsal.

© SEW-Eurodrive

The organizational realignment also goes hand in hand with the expansion of the product portfolio for machine automation. For example, a scalable complete solution for parallel kinematics robots will be presented to experts for the first time in Hanover - from the control system to the mechanics. This is available with various equipment packages:

• Basic package: recommended controller (SEW controller for example UHX85A-R), power supply, visualization and software (from the Movi-C modular automation system, the Movirun software platform and the Movikit Robotics software module).
• Robot axis package: Recommended axis modules and servomotors (e.g. from the CMP series).
• The robot mechanics including scalable precision servo gears. (All robots also have an optional rotation feature).

"The main development work we have done here is in the software," notes Peters and adds: "This means that we have created a large modular system of configurable or parameterizable modules for 2- or 3-axis parallel kinematics robots, which save the machine builder the programming work. When it comes to kinematics, SEW works together with a partner. "Among other things, the cooperation enables us to offer industry-specific versions of the kinematics according to our focus industries - for example, a hygienic design in the basic version or as a special design with a closed stainless steel housing," says Peters.

The mechanics and software of the robots have been designed to be open in that they already contain pre-programmed interfaces for common peripheral devices as well as camera systems (Cognex, Sick) and grippers (Schunk). The software modules can also be integrated into the development and control environments of third-party manufacturers. Finally, the kinematics model can be parameterized with simulation support. Last but not least, the Pick&Place control modules are Pack-ML compatible.

The next steps

When asked what further (product) developments are planned at SEW in the context of machine automation, the Head of Product Solution replies: "One trend that we are currently observing and that we will take into account is safe multi-axis kinematics - in other words, the task of safely moving several different axes together in space. One challenge that needs to be addressed in this context is the design of a platform that combines the functions of standard machine control and safety control in a scalable manner, both in terms of engineering and hardware."

Last but not least, SEW is currently working on the implementation of an open, hardware-independent control platform that can work with a wide variety of software services and can be connected to cloud services. According to Peters, the background to these activities is: "We are convinced that in the coming years it will no longer be decisive which manufacturer the controller comes from; instead, we will always find modular IPC hardware platforms that are open for various services or software applications. However, this also means that as an automation provider, you have to be able to integrate your software into a wide variety of system environments."