Focus on: Smart Maintenance Maintenance Matters June/July 2025 www.pwemag.co.uk Plant & Works Engineering | 13 The combination of smart software and frictionless hardware is particularly valuable in highly regulated industries. In semiconductor manufacturing and pharmaceutical production, contamination control is critical. Traditional mechanical transport systems can introduce microscopic particles that would compromise the products — a problem that maglev-based conveyors navigate without difficulty. Energy efficiency & sustainability Efficiency in manufacturing extends beyond production speed but also encompasses resource usage and environmental impact. In addition to lower maintenance requirements, maglev technology is inherently energy efficient. The lack of friction means that less power is required to maintain movement, leading to reduced operational costs and carbon footprint. Maglev systems also have no need for lubricants and frequent part replacements, minimising waste material throughout its machining lifespan. Motion Traditional conveyor systems usually require multiple machines to accommodate directional changes and varying speeds. In contrast, maglev-based transport solutions enable controllable, omnidirectional movement with a single unit, streamlining robotic assembly lines and other automated processes. It is in the optimised production layouts, where maglev transport systems rises to another level. The motion surface comprises of modular tiles that can be arranged freely depending on current requirements. This also means that installing transport pathways to meet new demands is simple. Mark Richards, UK Sales Manager at Beckhoff Automation UK, points to the company’s maglev transport system, Xplanar, as a solution. Xplanar tiles feature independently powered position detection, allowing the system to resume operation precisely where it left off after maintenance or tool changes. Personalised manufacturing has become increasingly important in many industries, which requires flexible manufacturing set-ups. Richards says that the simultaneous operation of different mover sizes on an XPlanar system eliminates the need to modify transport systems, which can lead to delays especially when processing a large variety of products and packaging sizes. Maglev technology was once a futuristic concept but is now a practical solution that enhances efficiency and minimises downtime. This increased system availability is largely thanks to the sophistication of automation software. All functionalities are integrated into one PC-based control system, like TwinCAT, which streamlines user-machine interactions. As manufacturers prioritise efficiency, precision and sustainability, maglev technology is emerging as a transformative solution. Reducing downtime is becoming increasingly important, making flexible, frictionless transport a significant step forward in manufacturing innovation. For further information please visit: www.beckhoff.com/ TECHNICAL TRAINING SOLUTIONS Providing Practical Electrical, Instrumentation & Mechanical Skills Training for Industry since 1980 LEARNING BY DOING technicaltrainingsolutions.co.uk tech.training@zen.co.uk 01634 731 470 PWE 1.4 PAGE MASTER 2025.indd 1 10/02/2025 12:53:21
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