Sponsored by Parvalux by maxon.
To beat the competition, engineers must shrink development times, optimize product performance and traverse an ever-growing number of supply chain issues. This is exacerbated by the fact that manufacturers carry less and less inventory in an effort to keep costs lean. This has made it a challenge to source parts for physical prototyping — especially electric motor and motion systems. In some cases, the delays getting these parts could grind product development to a stand-still.
An example combination from Parvalux modular range of motion systems. (Image: Parvalux.)
To address this challenge, Parvalux by maxon has introduced a modular range of motors, gearboxes and motion systems accessories. “The modular series was kind of born out of necessity,” said Jake Gelinas, Inside Sales Engineer at Parvalux. “During the pandemic everyone had supply chain issues. We decided to introduce this rapid prototyping system and stock some inventory. We then designed a program where we have a large selection of motors and gearbox combinations that come together very quickly. This helps us get product in customer’s hands quickly.”
Engineers can access an online configuration tool to select, modify and customize a motion system to their applications. Based on required voltage, speed and torque, users can select from five permanent magnet direct current (PMDC) motors and four brushless direct current (BLDC) motors at two slack lengths. Motors range from 12 V to 48 V, 2,500 rpm to 4,500 rpm and 0.063 Nm to 80 Nm of torque. Users can then select one of two right-angle, worm-wheel gearbox options GB9 or GB12. The available gear ratios are 15:1, 30:1 and 60:1. Parvalux also offers a series of accessories like shaft extension kits, encoders, brakes and controllers that work with any combination of its motors or gearboxes.
What differentiates these motion systems parts from the competition is that every motor, gearbox and accessory is compatible with each other. Each part can be easily swapped in or out because of common mechanical/electrical interfaces and a system of flanges. As an added bonus, Parvalux keeps these parts in stock, so they are always available (with a one-to-two-week lead time).
Since parts arrive quickly and are easily swapped out, engineers can quickly prototype product designs with varying combinations of motors, gearboxes and accessories. This helps engineers quickly find the optimal motion system for their application and get to market faster.
These motion systems are not limited to physical prototyping. Because of the number of valid combinations, engineers can find Parvalux solutions for industrial automation, materials handling, logistics, mobility and transportation. A big incentive to update, or even replace, current industrial motion systems to these modular options is that if any part breaks down it can be quickly replaced, reducing or eliminating downtime.
The experts at Parvalux are also available to help customers find the right combination for their application. Gelinas gave the example of a customer deciding between a PMDC or BLDC for a duty cycle of a couple of minutes a day over a 10-year period. “In that period, you may only run ten or maybe a couple hundred hours” projected Gelinas. “So, in reality, you may not need a brushless motor. That’s where our service and expertise comes in. To help our customers figure out what is the optimal solution for your system, and hopefully save you money and time.”
Learn more at Parvalux by maxon.
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