Further SupraMotion projects

Applications and motion concepts with superconductors

In the factory of the future, manufactured products will move through the production halls quietly, cleanly, with low energy consumption and contact-free. Alongside other magnetic field-based levitation technology, superconductor technology is particularly well suited for this purpose. That is why we have been exploring this exciting technology for several years. During this time, a multitude of concepts have been developed that demonstrate the potential of superconductors in industrial automation. Here you will find a brief overview of the technology’s wide range of applications:

SupraJunction: horizontal transfer of levitating carrier plates

SupraJunction demonstrates the contactless transport of objects across enclosed surfaces and through air locks. Two carrier plates levitate above the superconductors thanks to magnetic rails attached to their underside. They transport small glass containers along a circuit by transferring them from one superconductor element on a transport system to the next element on another handling system.

During the contactless transfer from one cryostat to the other, an electromagnet attached to an electric axis pulls the carrier plate onto the next cryostat in the working direction of the magnetic rails. This system marks the first time that Festo has implemented the automated transfer from one system to another in the horizontal plane, thus enabling levitating transport along long process chains and across system boundaries.

Easy cleaning and protected transport

Throughout the entire process, the plates levitate above a shallow basin of water. The carrier system and automation technology are thus completely separated from each other, which protects the components from contamination and makes cleaning extremely easy – perfect for an application in the packaging industry, laboratory automation, medical technology, food or pharmaceutical industry.

SupraChanger: transferring controlled motion to levitating magnets

SupraChanger is the first application to transfer a rotary motion in a controlled and contact-free manner to magnets that levitate thanks to superconductivity. For this purpose, three different stations are mounted on a table, each demonstrating a rotary application: a centrifuge, a mixer and a rotary indexing table.

A superconductor module with a stepper motor is mounted under the table. The table automatically rotates 120 degrees so that one of the three applications is always positioned above the module. Each station has a magnetic disc that levitates at a specific distance locked into place above the actively cooled superconductor module. As soon as a station is positioned above the module again, the disc reacts to the superconductor and begins to levitate.

Superconductive control for quick tool changes

The stepper motor and a magnetic coupling under the base plate make the magnetic disc in the station – and thus the respective application – rotate in a specific manner. This means that the applications do not have to be controlled electrically or adjusted manually, which enables quick and easy tool changes.

SupraShuttle: contactless handling in a vacuum and clean room

The SupraShuttle demonstrates how levitating objects can be moved into hermetically sealed rooms as well as within these rooms. To achieve this, a dome made of acrylic glass is placed over the magnetic carrier and forms an enclosed space around it – without requiring lock gates, rails or guide systems.

The SupraShuttle is also the first time Festo has demonstrated the movement of a levitating object in all spatial directions. A superconductor module is mounted under the table for this purpose. A magnet levitates above the superconductor module and thus also above the table. The carrier with the vials is mounted on this magnet.

Stable levitation in all directions

The magnet follows the module with every movement at the stored levitation distance. If the module is moved to the back wall by the rotary drive, the magnet also glides seamlessly from a horizontal to a vertical position, without touching the floor or being mechanically gripped.

SupraHandling 2.0: contactless linear motion in three spatial planes

SupraHandling 2.0 involves a superconductor slide that levitates contact-free yet stably along two magnetic rails. At the same time, the whole system can be rotated about its longitudinal axis by up to 180°. This allows the slide to glide horizontally along the floor, vertically on the wall or hanging overhead. Plastic vials are transported on the slide. Their mounting system is designed for flexibility. Even if there is a change of position, they always remain vertical with the opening facing upwards.

Energy-saving transport

Besides movement in all spatial planes, SupraHandling 2.0 demonstrates how objects can be transported in an energy-saving way without friction loss. Only the cooling system for the three superconductors requires a total of 36 watts.

SupraPicker: movement in all directions and in enclosed spaces

This exhibit features a hermetically sealed space made of acrylic glass in which a handling process takes place. The SupraPicker is therefore not limited to horizontal operations, but can move to any corner of the space.

Contact-free handling through walls

The superconducting gripper arm picks up six small vials outside the space via a magnetic puck. Because of the levitation gap between the puck and the superconductor, the gripper arm and gripper can be separated. The puck is conveyed with the gripped object through a lock into the enclosed space, while the superconductor moves parallel to it outside the space. This means that handling in an enclosed space can be carried out without touching the walls.