Scanning for ideas: Monorail Material handler Beams Power Through the Air
The electronic monorail from
Sew-Eurodrive, Lyman, S.C. (
seweurodrive.com), uses contactless power supplies, bar codes, drive-based controls, and wireless Ethernet to transfer data, power, control, and diagnostics over air gaps.
This is said to make it a cleaner,
less-maintenance-intensive materialhandling
system. The system is also more
flexible, with each trolley carrying its own
driver, control, communications, and power
electronics and operating independently.
Every trolley charts its own course and speed
along the overhead-mounted monorail. This
lets trolleys adjust themselves to production
changes. And bar codes every 2.5 in. on the
aluminum track lets trolleys know where
they are.
A leaky-wave-antenna cable (actually a
cable with copper shielding on all but
one side) sends power (up to 16 kW) and
communications over an air gap, with the
U-shaped antenna cables blocking noise
and interference from the surrounding plant
or factory. Loads can be shifted from track
to track, much like train cars in a railroadswitching
yard, and can move horizontally
and vertically. Snap-together components
simplify the task of adding tracks and
expanding operations. And operators can
monitor the system over a PC-based display.
Although the monorail was designed to
haul materials in automotive factories, the
system can handle light and heavy loads
in single and multiaxis settings, making
it attractive for use in food and beverage
packaging, airport logistics, and distribution
warehouses.