GEARS, DRIVES & MOTORS
Productiv’s rapid response brings Cyclopic centreless
wheel drive system to Advanced Engineering 2019
A novel centreless wheel drive system with
multiple potential applications was showcased
at the Advanced Engineering event in
Birmingham 30-31 October, assisted by
Coventry-based venture engineering specialist
Productiv.
Productiv has created a working prototype
of Cyclopic’s revolutionary patented Wheal
system, which combines drive, steering, braking
and operating height adjustment in a single unit.
The ground-breaking prototype was showcased
at the entrance of the National Exhibition Centre
and was well received by thousands of visitors
the show attracted.
Each Wheal is fitted with its own separate
drive system, giving complete 360-degree
manoeuvrability – allowing for easy parallel
parking, and so creating a ready solution for
urban zone parking. In combination with road
reading technology, the Wheal also delivers
a unique vehicle levelling capability with no
need for additional fluid power systems for
levelling.
In just 13 weeks, Productiv created a complete
working aluminium prototype for the show,
from the Cyclopic team’s own prototype, as
well as optimising the electronics and control
software.
Alan Rallings, Director of Cyclopic,
commented: “Uniquely combining operating
vehicle height, drive, steering and braking
in a single unit, the Wheal has multiple
applications, not least in electric vehicles
and other mobility solutions. The Productiv
team did an exceptional job in creating a
completely operational model with full control
system, in such a short period, once we knew
we were given the opportunity to showcase
the Wheal at the Advanced Engineering
event. We anticipate strong interest from many
sectors given the flexibility and capability of
the Wheal.”
Matt Hardwick of Productiv added: “This was
a genuine challenge which showcases the
unique capabilities of Productiv in having
design, prototyping and systems engineering
all under one roof. The Wheal is a highly novel
design which is versatile enough to be used
in both on-road applications, such as delivery
vehicles, and other applications such as
caravans/trailers.”
Cyclopic Ltd would welcome any interest from
any company or individual that would like to
invest / sponsor the next stage of prototyping
the Wheal
For more information on Productiv, visit www.productiv.co.uk. Further details on the Wheal can be found at www.cyclopic.co.uk.
PRECISION MOTION CONTROL
As an advanced motion control
technology distributor and
manufacturer, Mclennan supplies and
fully supports a wide range of precision
motion control components from its
distribution partners - and also has the
capability to combine these products
with its own design and build service
for bespoke and turn-key motion
sub-systems - for applications across
industry and research.
Servo motors & drives
Stepper motors & drives
Synchronous AC motors
Feedback devices
Gearboxes
Motion controllers & software
Mechanical components
Custom engineered motion systems
[email protected]
56
PECM Issue 44
NOVEL MOTION CONTROL TECHNOLOGY
From Allied Motion Inc., KinetiMax™ HPD series outer rotor
brushless motors deliver a high torque-to-weight ratio and
excellent efficiency as a compact and frameless rotor/stator part-
set. Available in six frame sizes, the high power density motor
offers a smooth, low cogging and continuously rated torque from
0.24 to 6.7 Nm with power output up to 1170 Watts.
JVL’s HLMT series hollow shaft rotary actuators take a novel
approach to decentralised precision positioning tasks where a
through aperture is required for routing services or maintaining
a clear line of site. The design features an offset motor mounting
in five model variants with clear through-hole diameters from 20
to 30 mm and rated torque output of 5 to 142 Nm.
AMP’s TSM14POE series is a Power over Ethernet
(PoE) enabled integrated miniature microstepping motor
package that combines a PoE linked closed-loop digital
drive, feedback encoder and an Ethernet-supported
motion controller as a single-cable motion control solution
based on AMP’s well proven StepSERVO™ technology.
Call us or visit our website for more information
www.mclennan.co.uk
+44 (0)1252 531444