The Portescap mini motors provide a cost-effective, maintenance-free solution for the medication dispenser, which can be installed in systems designed for home use.

Automated medication dispensers for use by the patient have become more widespread with an increasing population and a demand for easier and more controlled self-administration of medication. Designed to be used without medical supervision, automated medication dispensers significantly reduce the potential of patients taking the wrong medicine at the wrong time or failing to administer. The dispensers also give patients greater control over their own medical care. The key demands on the system include accuracy and reliability of alerting the patient and dispensing, as well as ease of use for patients who are often elderly. Considering the public user base, automated medication dispensers also have to be low cost and must feature a robust construction.

A North American medical device innovator required a motor solution for an automated medication dispenser, which would provide accuracy and reliability of control at a competitive price. The dispenser includes an audible alarm and LED visual indicator, which alerts the patient when to take their medication. It presents user information via a clear, easy to read screen and is simply controlled by large buttons, connected to a micro motion system which actuates the carousel holding the multiple pill containers. Demands on the mini motor’s motion control include repeatable accuracy with higher torque at low speed. Portescap was selected as the project partner because of the comprehensive engineering consultancy provided in combination with its experience in miniature motion solutions.

Initially, the customer had considered using a brush DC motor, however Portescap’s engineers advised on the advantages of a stepper motor, which would provide repeatable, accurate motion at a more competitive price. As a result, the customer specified a Portescap 42L048D can stack mini-stepper motor. The design of Portescap’s can stack motors ensures positional accuracy and the construction features simple, reduced component design for increased reliability.

Usually two-phase, the can stack motors comprise two motor halves having two stator cups, each with poles formed around a winding. The rotor has the same number of pole pairs as the stator. Meanwhile, the poles on each stator cup are designed half a pole pitch apart. Two coils create four discrete positions per pole pitch and the 42L048D, with 12-pole pairs in each stator, has 48 steps per revolution or 7.5 degrees per step. This creates a high level of control accuracy and while open loop, means that no encoder is necessary, reducing cost and footprint.

Motor speed and length of rotation are directly related to input pulse frequency and any error is non-cumulative, which enhances repeatability of control. To ensure high torque at low speed, necessary for precision control of the dispenser’s carousel which holds the medication trays, the 42L048D features a large rotor and neodymium magnets, providing up to 18.5oz-in (131mNm) of holding torque.

Simplicity of design means efficient operation with a low energy requirement. The 42L048D also ensures quiet operation, ideal for home residential use or settings which demand low audible noise for patient care.

The low count of moving parts combined with a robust design means that the mini motor is maintenance-free with no replacement of bushes required. This is an essential attribute for automated medicine dispensers with a key role in residential settings. The mini motors also feature a sintered bronze bearing design for increased resilience, enhanced with long life lubrication.

© Portescap | https://www.portescap.com

The mini motor can be digitally controlled with simple installation and interfacing with a microprocessing drive. The 42L048D can be paired with Portescap’s EDM-453 microstepping drive for further increased system resolution from 1/2 up to 1/64 microsteps. It also features high angular resolution in static and dynamic modes. For higher torque or acceleration requirements, the drive incorporates a boost mode as well as a power stage designed for high dynamic, peak duty performance. Combined, the EDM-453 microprocessing drive creates smoother motion with lower noise and includes a stand-by mode for heat and energy optimization.

To suit various application requirements, the mini-stepper motor is available in 5V or 12V windings and unipolar or bipolar polar construction. The 42L048D can also be customized with a wide range of options. Custom shafts, magnets and coils can be fitted dependent on application requirements, as well as modification to bearings or the addition of clutch magnets and dampers. Mechanical integration by Portescap is also achievable, as well as combinations with pinions and gears.

To ensure control accuracy and reliability in a low-cost mini motor package, Portescap’s 42L048D has proved to be a well suited partner for the vital medical assistance provided by this effective model of automated medication dispenser.

On January 27, 2021, the Department of Hand, Plastic, Reconstructive and Burn Surgery of the BG Trauma Center in Tübingen treated its first patients with the OPRA Implant System and became one of the first hospitals in Germany to use the technology in the treatment of thumb amputees.

The department is an integral part of the BG Trauma Center and the Eberhard Karls University Tübingen. One of its main foci of treatment is the functional reconstruction of extremities. In the clinic, the specialists develop an individual treatment concept for each patient and accompany them through the full rehabilitation process; from the accident itself, to the patient’s return to a normal, active, everyday life. While BG hospitals are medical facilities of the statutory accident insurance (Berufsgenossenschaft), they are open to all patients, regardless of their health insurance scheme.

PD Dr. Jonas Kolbenschlag, Leading Senior Physician at the Plastic Surgery Unit, who is spearheading Tübingen’s osseointegration program, was joined by Professor Brånemark in the treatment of a transhumeral amputee, and a thumb amputee, who became one of the first patients in Germany to receive the OPRA Implant System for this indication. These two surgeries marked the start of Integrum’s comprehensive training and certification process of this new member of the OPRA network.

Says Dr. Kolbenschlag “Osseointegration enables us to provide the optimal solution for prosthetic rehabilitation in select patients. We are proud to be among the few hospitals in Germany to offer this advanced treatment and will continue to further expand our ossointegration program.”

Maria Lopez, CEO at Integrum, shared her thoughts on this milestone: “Germany is the third largest market for medical devices in the world, and is therefore very important to us. We are therefore very pleased and proud to welcome Tübingen into the growing number of German medical facilities and institutions using the OPRA Implant System for several treatment indications”.

About the OPRA Implant System – Thumb Replacement
The OPRA Implant System is a bone-anchored system based on osseointegration, where the prostheses are directly attached to the bone; thus avoiding the use of a socket. The system utilizes a modular design consisting of three main parts, which have been developed and refined based on many years of development and clinical research. The unique modular design ensures protection of the patient by avoiding bone fractures from accidental or unfavorable loading. The implant components are inserted surgically into the bone of the amputation stump in one or two surgical procedures.

• Fixture: Anchoring element inserted into the patient’s bone
• Abutment: Skin penetrating connection attached to the fixture
• Abutment Screw: A screw made of titanium alloy that locks the abutment to the fixture

While products within the OPRA Implant System thumb assortment are CE marked and available in Europe, they are not yet commercially available in the US.

Halter CNC Robotics will be awarding a $2,500 scholarship to a U.S. veteran or active service member who wants to study manufacturing automation, engineering, or robotics. The company believes it is important for American businesses to support skills training for our military and former members of the U.S. military. The goal of the scholarship is to bring awareness for more military members and veterans to find fulfilling careers in manufacturing automation and robotics. Application for the scholarship is now open. Final submissions and applications must be received by Tuesday, August 31, 2021. It will be awarded on Veterans Day, which will be Thursday, November 11, 2021.

“Halter CNC Robotics feels it is our duty to make a positive impact on our veterans and active service members’ lives,” explained Rick Hoffman, CEO of Halter CNC Robotics. “CNC automation is the present – and very much the future – of manufacturing careers in the US. Veterans who master these skills will have the opportunity to create meaningful and financially rewarding futures for themselves.”

To apply for the scholarship, a active member or veteran must submit their bio, contact information, proof of active military status or veteran status such as the DD-214 and information about their current school to scholarship@haltercncrobotics.com.

Lee Spring acquires M & S Spring

© Lee Spring | https://www.leespring.com

Lee Spring, a global leader in stock and custom springs, has acquired Fraser, Michigan-based M & S Spring, specialists in rapid prototype custom springs that require quick turnaround with quantities ranging from a single piece to higher volume pilot runs.

“The acquisition of M & S Spring expands our manufacturing capabilities in support of continued growth, particularly within the quick prototyping side of the spring business. M & S Spring has an outstanding reputation for fast turnaround of high-quality parts earned over 60 years of operation. They have a highly skilled team of employees that specialize in engineering, design, and spring manufacturing. Their expertise in short-run prototyping of custom springs and their extensive knowledge of flat springs are a great fit with our business,” says Steve Kempf, CEO of Lee Spring. “M & S Spring will continue to serve customers from their existing facility in Fraser, Michigan, plus they will now also have access to a wider range of capabilities through Lee Spring’s global manufacturing operations. This acquisition enhances the offering available to Lee Spring customers worldwide with this manufacturing and expertise expansion.”

BIG KAISER presents fifth annual donation to NRL

© BIG KAISER/NRL | https://www.us.bigkaiser.com

Customers of BIG KAISER helped to raise $6,275 to benefit the National Robotics League (NRL) – the fifth annual contribution to the program. 

The donation is a 2% match of all qualified orders from National Tooling & Machining Association (NTMA) member companies during the final two months of the calendar year. Manufacturers placed orders for cutting tools, tool holders, workholding and tool measurement systems, earning funds for the NRL at the same time. 

The National Robotics League (NRL) is a manufacturing workforce development program of the NTMA that organizes student teams to design and build remote-controlled robots (Bots) to face-off in a gladiator-style competition. Through the process of Bot building, students gain practical knowledge of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) – all essential skills for manufacturing careers.

“We’re not just fighting a skills gap in our workforce, we have an ‘interest gap’ too. The NRL helps create excitement about manufacturing technology and STEM careers,” says Roger Atkins, president at NTMA. “We appreciate BIG KAISER’s continued support year over year, and of course all of the NTMA members who participate in the program to support the NRL.” 

“I’m really happy we could make this contribution to NRL despite the really difficult year. We need to be there for these kids and stay engaged in all types of programs to promote manufacturing careers,” says Chris Kaiser, BIG KAISER executive advisor. 

Applied Manufacturing Technologies Hires Steven R. Johnstone

Applied Manufacturing Technologies (AMT), North America’s largest independent automation engineering company supporting manufacturers, robot companies, systems integrators, line builders, and users of robotic automation worldwide, has hired Steven R. Johnstone as director – Controls Application.

“Steve is an industry professional with a proven track record of leadership in automation and brings added strength to our controls and automation team as we continue to grow,” says COO Craig Salvalaggio. “With AMT’s growth in systems integration and controls solutions, Steve will work to provide additional group and project leadership as we grow our presence within new industries. In addition to his business leadership, he will support the sales team with estimating and the execution team with project management. Steve is an industry pro and will work to represent AMT’s technical ability and ethics to serve our industry.”

Johnstone brings nearly three decades of experience in a wide variety of roles in the industrial automation and control systems industry to his new role at AMT.  Johnstone’s most recent position was senior electrical engineer at a large packaging products and systems company where he oversaw capital projects and supported plant operations. For 25 years prior to that, Johnstone owned and operated JS Controls, Inc., which specialized in automation and systems integration for the Southeast Michigan region.

Johnstone holds a variety of certifications and training, including Schneider Unity Pro PLC Programming certification and Horner Automation’s OCS Training for PLCs / HMIs, as well as being a member of the Sandler Sales Institute’s President’s Club.  To his new role at AMT, Johnstone experience with all major industry brands, including Rockwell Automation, Allen Bradley, Siemens, SquareD, Modicon, Telemecanique, General Electric, Horner, and Unitronics. 

Additive Manufacturer Green Trade Association announces new members

© AMGTA | https://amgta.org/

The Additive Manufacturer Green Trade Association (AMGTA), a global trade organization created to promote the environmental benefits of additive manufacturing (AM), announced that eight additional leading AM organizations have joined the trade group to advance sustainability in AM, bringing its membership ranks to twenty members.

Joining as a new Founding Member is ExOne, the pioneer and global leader in industrial 3D printing systems using binder jet 3D printing technology. As a Founding Member, ExOne will serve alongside existing Founding Members Sintavia LLC, a designer and 3D printer of a new generation of flight and launch components, Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation (one of the operating companies under Nippon Sanso Holdings Corporation), a supplier of stable industrial gases to a wide variety of global industries; and QC Laboratories Inc., an advanced non-destructive testing laboratory focused on AM components. These four co-founders will determine the strategic direction of the AMGTA, provide governance oversight, and consider future research projects that members may vote to commission.

Joining the AMGTA as new Participating Members are: BASF 3D Printing Solutions, a provider of 3D printing solutions along the entire additive manufacturing value chain under the brand Forward AM; DyeMansion, the global leader in automated post-processing workflows for industrial polymer 3D-printing; Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT), one of the world’s leading research institutes in the field of laser-based additive manufacturing; HP Inc., a global leader of 3D printing and digital manufacturing solutions for sustainable production; Rusal America, a subsidiary of Rusal, the world’s leading producer of low-carbon aluminum; TRUMPF, one of the world’s leading companies for machine tools, laser technology, and additive manufacturing for industrial applications; and 6K, a leading metal powder producer that is setting a new AM “green” standard by leveraging sustainable sources as feedstock for premium powder production with its UniMelt platform.

These new Participating Members will serve alongside existing Participating Members AMEXCI AB, a resource for futureproofing Nordic Industries, accelerating the adoption of additive manufacturing technologies; Danish AM Hub, Denmark’s focal point for the additive manufacturing ecosystem; EOS, the world’s leading technology supplier in the industrial 3D printing of metals and polymers; GE Additive, a world leader in additive design and manufacturing, a pioneering process that has the power and potential to transform businesses; Materialise, the backbone of 3D printing, incorporating three decades of experience into pioneering software solutions and services; National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, a group of industry-led manufacturing R&D facilities transforming skills, productivity, and innovation in Scotland; Siemens Digital Industries Software, a driver of design, engineering and manufacturing transformation with its Xcelerator digital enterprise portfolio; SLM Solutions Inc., the leading provider of industrial metal 3D printing machines focused on metal additive manufacturing and multi-laser technology; and Stryker, one of the world’s leading medical technology companies.

“I’m excited to officially welcome ExOne aboard as a new Founding Member company of the AMGTA, as well as each of our new Participating Member organizations,” says Sherry Handel, executive director of the AMGTA. “Their dedication to support our trade group’s mission well-positions the AMGTA for continued growth and helps to fund new sustainability research projects in additive manufacturing. I am looking forward to working with all of our members as we expand the AMGTA as a key industry resource in advancing sustainability in the AM industry this year and beyond.” 

THK Celebrates 50 years of innovate linear motion products

© THK | https://www.thk.com/

As the pioneers in linear motion products, THK has introduced innovations in high-quality, precision motion components for the past five decades, setting the benchmark for the industry.

In 1971, THK was established in Meguro-ku, Tokyo, under its first name, Toho Seiko Co., Ltd. In 1972, THK became the first company in the world to develop a method of linear motion with rolling contact and began manufacturing and selling the commercialized result: Linear Motion (LM) Guides. In 1977, THK's Kofu Plant, the first full-scale LM Guide production plant, was established. This was THK's first step in expanding production facilities. From there, THK took operations worldwide and expanded to North America and Germany. As THK set out on growing globally, it did so with a spirit of innovation and the determination to solve customer dilemmas with cutting-edge solutions. The product line expanded to include Ball Splines and Ball Screws, LM Guides, Actuators and Cross-Roller Rings. A commitment to innovation led to the development of THK’s patented Caged Ball design. Consisting of a plastic structure that provides a pocket in which the metal balls roll and stay separated, this design reduces wear and friction, retains lubricant that provides longer service life for the bearings and gives the customer superb noise reduction during operation.

Innovative products, along with knowledgeable sales, engineering, and mechatronics departments, have made THK the world leader in linear motion components. In fact, in the last ten years alone, THK has sold enough LM Guides that if lined up would circle the globe at the equator.

Pioneers in linear motion guides since 1971, THK continues that same spirit in 2021. Recently, THK introduced a variety of innovations to meet the needs of customers in an ever-changing world. Their products can be found in robotics, manufacturing machinery, medical/surgical devices, packaging, semi-conductor manufacturing and much more. “We are proud of all we have accomplished over the past 50 years,” commented Ed Johnson, vice president of sales, THK America, Inc. “We are the components that go inside of what you build, and we are pleased that so many of our customers have honored us as a valued partner. We all have the need to move forward and whether you measure that movement in sub-microns or in meters, THK will continue to listen to your needs and provide the solutions to exceed them. The only limitation is your imagination, because if you can think it, we can assist you in designing and building it.”

THK manufactures the widest range of linear motion products, including LM Guides, Ball Screws, Mechanical Actuators and Ball Splines, Cross-Roller Rings and more. All THK products have been designed and manufactured to meet the strictest requirements. THK’s experienced Global Engineering Team can provide customized linear motion solutions from their standard linear motion products as well as from mechatronics products for the most demanding applications.