In Germany, 5 students from Heubach together with engineers and trainees from EMAG LaserTec GmbH, had developed a vending machine especially for packaged spices. In order to deliver the salt, curry and pepper cans quickly from the compartments, they have decided to use igus drylin W linear guides. This ensures that the machine moves quickly and smoothly without lubricants.
With the assistance of the young engineers support (yes) from igus, the young inventors opted for the drylin W linear modular system for the mechanics. The linear guides ensure a cost-effective and long-lasting automation solution.
The idea behind the spice vending machine came up during a tour of the EMAG LaserTec factory in Heubach. There, the students were fascinated by the automatic high-bay installation for tools and then thought about a task that could also be automated in everyday life. “The students quickly decided to construct a spice vending machine for supermarkets in order to speed up selection and shopping,” said Jens Gruber who supervised the project at EMAG LaserTec. In order for the system to be able to take the right spice out of the machine, it needed long-lasting and smooth linear guides for the axes, and igus fits their requirements.
A total of 3 linear guides from the drylin W modular system are used in the machine. They ensure that all compartments are easily accessible, so that the appropriate spice can be taken out and delivered. In the guide carriages of the linear rails, igus relies entirely on wear-resistant high-performance polymers.
The tribo-plastics in the sliding elements are completely free of lubricants and are suitable for use in the food sector. As there is no lubricating grease, no dirt can stick to the linear carriage and block the guide. The young inventors chose a belt drive to drive the z-axis. The problem initially was the high vibrations, which the guides were able to successfully absorb. The drylin linear technology is used not only in innovative spice machines, but also in many tried and tested machines such as beverage machines and even in automated order picking systems in pharmacies.
School projects such as the spices vending machine are supported by igus as part of young engineers support. With the university initiative, igus wants to support pupils, students and lecturers with free samples, sponsorships and the development of innovative projects.
Such innovative projects like spice vending machine could certainly have applications in Asia where spices are often used as part of daily food preparations, and with the motion plastics technology offered by igus, similar school projects could come into reality in the commercial world.
For more information about the university support, visit www.igus.eu/yes.
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