Boom axis
The new Festo boom axis, dubbed DGEA, is an ultra-rigid extruded alloy
construction complete with toothed belt drive, roller bearing guides and
flat drive head. The unit is suitable for cantilever motion and position
control applications, requiring a high dynamic response. Available in
diameters from 18mm to 40mm and lengths of 10mm to 1,000mm, the axis is
supplied with stepper or servomotor (or no motor at all), to achieve
speeds of up to 2.1m/s with a payload of 50kg. The rather novel drive
arrangement employs a fixed pinion in the drive head that operates within
an omega-shaped path along the stationary toothed belt. With the motor
and slide fixed, the motion is translated to the boom - an efficient
system that keeps moving masses to an absolute minimum.