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The Challenge:
A fuel cell manufacturer requires a two axis linear (X-Y) positioning systems for precisely dispensing pliable fuel cell material.
A fuel cell operates like a battery, but unlike a battery, a fuel cell does not run down or require recharging. It will produce energy in the form of electricity and heat as long as fuel is supplied.
A fuel cell consists of two electrodes sandwiched around an electrolyte. Oxygen passes over one electrode and hydrogen over the other, generating electricity, water and heat. In light weight fuel cells
the electrolyte is a thin polymer membrane.
In this application, pliable fuel cell material is placed into a metal retainer. An X-Y positioner will move and position a large steel fixture under
a second system, which dispenses the pliable fuel cell material.
This process demands a rugged heavy duty positioning system capable of providing high throughput in combination with a high degree of
positioning accuracy.
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The Solution:
The system parameters associated with this application precluded a catalog or standard solution from being considered. Daedal's custom systems group with its unique ability to design and develop "out of the box" custom solutions with optimum efficiency, was able to provide the best solution in the shortest amount of time.
Based on
travel, load, and other criteria, 400ST square rail tables were selected as the base platform. Oversized square rails were used for the following reasons: large physical interior dimensions of the
positioners (for motors, encoders and switches), good flatness and straightness, good stiffness, heavy moment capacity.
To meet the demanding performance
requirements of high speed, acceleration, and thrust, two high thrust linear servo motor were combined as the drive mechanism for each axis. An extensive cable management system was
included with high flex cables  and connector
blocks for routing the linear motor cables, limit/home switch cables, hall cables, etc...from the y-axis to the primary connector on the X axis. Extensive testing which is standard on all custom systems
assured that the customer could rely on dependable performance for the life of the system.
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