CLEAN ROOM COMPATIBLE LINEAR DRIVES FROM IEF WERNER
IEF-Werner has expanded its standard linear drive products to include a range with metal belt covers. This range is suitable for use in clean rooms according to ISO 14644 from class 1 to 8 as the metal belt protects against the ingress of dirt or particles whilst preventing the release of particulates into the environment from the unit. This has been tested and certified by the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology.
The cleanliness requirements of linear units have increased significantly in recent years - especially for users in the pharmaceutical and medical technology industries. "Depending on the application, we have so far been able to implement cleanroom suitability between ISO class 6 and 8 with our axes," Thomas Hettich, product manager at IEF-Werner GmbH, explains. "In order to improve this significantly, we have equipped selected linear units from our range with a metal band cover in order to be able to map the widest possible range of applications."
The units with metal strip covered versions are the spindle drive profiLINE 70 MB series, the toothed belt drives Module 65/15 MB and 115/42 MB as well as the direct drive euroLINE 140 and 200. The metal belt cover is made of corrosion-resistant steel with a smooth, easy-to-clean surface. It is held in position by means of a magnetic strip and clamped to the end plate or to the deflection heads. The metal belt can be easily replaced without having to dismantle functionally relevant components.
"The cover encapsulates the linear unit and is why minimal particles get into the axis or are released into the environment," Hettich describes. This means that users can now also use these linear drives in clean rooms according to ISO 14644-1 from class 1 to 8 and according to GMP standards for pharmaceutical and medical technology. "The axes are also suitable for painting lines or for dusty ambient conditions. That means in all applications where moving parts need to be covered," Hettich explains.
To enable the user to install multi-axis systems IEF-Werner has launched the profiLINE 70 MB and the 65/15 MB and 115/42 MB modules at the same time with metal belt covers. Depending on the application, these linear units are also available with an optional extraction system with several connection options. "We can extract particles from the axis or blow fresh air into the axis as an air barrier to prevent dust from entering. This is useful for painting lines, for example," the IEF expert describes. The extraction unit is easy to handle, requires little power and can also be used for a three-axis system.
The profiLINE 70 MB spindle drive achieves cleanroom class 6 without extraction at a speed of 0.2 m/s. With extraction, it meets the requirements for ISO class 1 at the same speed. The Module 115/42 MB and 65/15 MB toothed belt drives, for example, can be used without extraction at a speed of 0.5 m/s up to ISO class 5 - with extraction up to class 1.
In the UK and Ireland, the entire IEF Werner range of products is available exclusively from RARUK Automation (UK) Ltd. The company brings a high level of applications know how and systems design to this role to provide manufacturers with a one-stop-shop for bespoke automation.
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