With Acopos 6D from B&R, magnetically levitating shuttles transport products individually through the machine. The system thus offers optimal conditions for production in small batch sizes and with constantly changing product designs. Acopos 6D is based on the principle of magnetic levitation technology: Shuttles with integrated permanent magnets move without contact on a surface made up of motor segments. The electromagnetic motor segments are 240 x 240 mm in size and can be assembled into any shape. Depending on their size, the shuttles weigh between 0.6 and 14 kg and move at speeds of up to 2 m / s. They can move two-dimensionally as well as change their hover height and they can be rotated or tilted along three axes. That means the system has six degrees of freedom. In addition, Acopos 6D enables a shuttle density up to four times as high as other systems on the market, as several shuttles can run on one motor segment at the same time.

The shuttles can also be used as axes in processing stations. For example, a shuttle with a workpiece can follow CNC paths while the machining tool is rigidly attached. Weighing stations are even completely omitted, as each shuttle is also a high-precision scale. This allows the machine to be built smaller. Wear-free and protection class IP69K As the shuttles float freely, the Acopos 6D does not cause any friction. There is therefore no abrasion and there are no wearing parts that need to be serviced. If the motor segments are provided with a stainless steel cover, the system corresponds to protection class IP69K and is therefore suitable for use in clean rooms and in food production.

Fully integrated Acopos 6D is fully integrated into the B&R system. Therefore, the shuttles can be synchronized with microsecond precision with any axes, robots, track systems or vision cameras. The path planning of the shuttles themselves takes place in a dedicated controller that is integrated into the machine network with Powerlink. The path planning therefore does not affect the performance of the network and the machine control. For systems with more than 200 segments or 50 shuttles, several controllers can be used and synchronized with one another. Intelligent shuttles In contrast to comparable systems, every shuttle in the Acopos 6D is equipped with a globally unique ID. When it starts up, the controller therefore knows exactly where which shuttle is located on the motor segments. Homing sequences or manual entries after startup are not necessary. Production can start immediately. The position repeat accuracy of the shuttles is ± 5 µm, which is why the Acopos 6D is also unreservedly suitable for applications that require the highest level of precision, for example in the electronics industry and when assembling mechanical and electronic components. Acopos 6D was developed in collaboration with Planar Motors, which has been researching and developing magnetic levitation technology for industrial production for more than 15 years. B&R is a partner in Planar Motors.