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Krichel:
The exhibits demonstrate
very realistically how the effect of
a superconductor-magnet combin
ation can be used in various appli
cations. However, we are still some
way off from the technology being
used in industry. At the end of the
day, our customers want reprodu
cible data and reliable components
and modules. We are therefore cur
rently working out the fundamental
relationships of this technology
and using them to create system
models. Although we are still at a
very early stage in the product de
velopment process, we are already
engaged in detailed discussions with pilot customers about appli
cations in current and future generations of systems. This will
help us to assess market potential and to develop our technology
accordingly.
trends in automation
: What are the possible application areas
for this technology? What potential does Festo see in supercon
ductivity for automation technology?
Krichel:
There are both advantages and disadvantages to using
a completely new technology. Right now, it is difficult to predict
with complete accuracy what applications will develop – it varies
significantly depending on the industry. Having said that, the
technology has opened up a whole new world of possibilities,
and it is exciting to be involved in working out the requirements
and a possible product portfolio. In the biotechnology/pharma
ceutical or food industries, for example, handling systems that
can intervene in processes without any abrasion or contact
would be of enormous benefit. In other areas, complete electrical
insulation is very exciting, while the frictionless and therefore
low-energy transport of heavy loads would be useful in traditional
machine building.
trends in automation
: How are you dealing with these challen
ges and what do you see as the key task in the development of
superconductor technology?
Schauz:
In addition to getting to grips with the
actual SupraMotion technology – which is a chal
lenge in itself – we have to meet requirements for
industrial use. Because saving magnetic fields is an
area with many as yet unknown applications, it is
important that the basic modules be kept as multi-
functional, compact and efficient as possible so
they can then be joined and combined in different
ways to create function modules with specific char
acteristics. We could use this technology to provide
our customers with linear or rotary
axes with defined characteristics,
for example.
trends in automation
: You are
doing a lot of development in
cooperation with (future) users of
the technology. Why? What input
do you receive from them?
Krichel:
In product development,
focussing on the needs of the cus
tomer is extremely important, par
ticularly in the case of new tech
nologies, as it ensures that the
development process is steered in
the right direction from the very
beginning. This is much easier to
do with pilot customers, as they provide us, as developers, with
clear guidance and direct feedback on the progress of the pro
ject. This in turn leads to the technologies being accepted more
easily, both internally and externally.
trends in automation
: What are the main challenges when
developing products based on superconductivity?
Schauz:
In automation technology, having control over the ob
ject to be manipulated is crucial. We must therefore be able to
precisely determine and directly influence the levitating state
of objects. In addition to ensuring that the levitating objects are
securely held in place, we also want to supply suitable sensors and
drives. The six possible degrees of freedom of a levitating system
mean that specific parameters become important or must even
be redefined, such as spring stiffness or maintaining a position
during acceleration.
trends in automation
: Is cooling not expensive?
Krichel:
We are often asked this question at trade fairs. Tempera
tures in the region of –200 °C may initially sound like they require
a lot of energy consumption. It’s always great to be able to pleas
antly surprise customers, as one of our milestones in recent years
has been the switch from nitrogen-cooled to electrically cooled
cryostats, which can easily be integrated into existing processes.