Drive technology

What is drive technology?

In general, drive technology involves the conversion of an input form of energy into a movement that is used to drive a working machine. The drive is linear (linear motors) or radial (rotary motors). 

However, not only the actual drive, but also the energy supply of the machine and the control of the individual drive elements are part of drive technology.
Thus, drive technology is one of the most versatile technologies in mechanical engineering. The provision of the basic elements of a drive train and the precise control of individual elements are among the most important challenges of drive technology.

In industrial processes, drive systems are responsible for providing the kinetic energy. Electric drives in particular have been able to conquer a large field of applications due to their many advantages. However, combustion, hydraulic or pneumatic motors are also possible. The rotary movements generated by the motor are transmitted by the further drive system.
 

What are the components of drive technology?

As already mentioned, drive technology consists of many individual elements that together form a complete drive train.
These include:

Motors: In order for the drive to start moving, it requires a motor-driven rotary motion. Various motors are used for this purpose: electric, hydraulic, pneumatic or combustion engines.

Gearbox: The gearbox is just as important in the drive train as the motor. For example, it changes the speed or direction of rotation of the motor and transmits the movement to the work unit. There are various types of gearboxes, including worm gears, bevel gears and cam gears.

Inverter: Inverters belong to the group of power converters and supply the motor with the required AC voltage. They are also used for motor control.

Drive belts: Drive belts are responsible for the transmission of forces or movements of more distant gear parts. Different materials and toothings determine the particular applications of drive belts.

Shafts: Shafts are long, cylindrical machine elements that transmit rotary motion and torque through rotation.

Couplings: Couplings are responsible for the frictional or positive connection of two shafts and compensate for shaft misalignments. There are switchable and non-switchable variants. Common types are tooth couplings, claw couplings, metal bellows couplings or multi-plate couplings.

Brakes: So-called safety brakes are required for machine tools, e.g. to secure gravity-loaded axes.

In the area of drive technology, we offer you various worm gears, couplings and connecting elements, pinions and pinion shafts as well as racks and accessories from Atlanta Antriebssysteme GmbH. If you do not find the right product in our online store, please feel free to contact us via our contact form or write us an email (info[at]pach-systems.de).