trends in automation

Krichel:

The exhibits demonstrate

very realistically how the effect of a

superconductor magnet

combination can be used in

various applications. However, we

are still some way off from the

technology being used in industry.

At the end of the day, our

customers want reproducible data

and reliable components and

modules. We are therefore

currently 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 development process, we are already engaged in

detailed discussions with pilot customers about applications 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

superconductivity 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/

pharmaceutical 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

challenge 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 characteristics. 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

customer is extremely important,

particularly in the case of new

technologies, 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 project. 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

object 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.

Temperatures 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

pleasantly 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