Human genome project aided by advanced linear motors

Citation

(2001), "Human genome project aided by advanced linear motors", Industrial Robot, Vol. 28 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2001.04928caf.004

Human genome project aided by advanced linear motors

Human genome project aided by advanced linear motors

Keywords: Robots, Pharmaceutical industry, Drives

Advanced robots developed around Linear Drives Ltd's (LDL) innovative tubular linear motors have pushed a German Research Centre to notable success in the recent culmination of the first draft of the Human Genome Project (HGP). Utilising two-phase linear devices and amplifiers supplied by LDL, the Resource Centre and Primary Database of the German HGP has provided all groups engaged in the project with standardised, high-quality biological materials.

The Resource Centre is part of the world-famous Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, based in Berlin. It uses X, Y, Z cartesian robots driven by LDL's motors for three different tasks: high-density filter spotting; clone-picking; and re-arraying. "The robots' tasks could not be done manually", explains the Resource Centre's Scientific Director, Dr Gunther Zehetner. "A typical day includes three runs each of 15 filters per robot. At an average of 30,000 clones per filter, that's 1,350,000 spots per day" (see Plate 4).

Plate 4 A vision-based pick and place robotic system called Mantis generates exact copies of a gene or DNA segment

Fast movements (acceleration and deceleration) and high reproducible accuracy are vital for the application. Zehetner says:

When we were constructing our robots, we found that LDL offered the best motor solution. Its motors definitely gave us the best accuracy and resolution, allowing us to increase the spotting density on the filters.

The staff of the Research Centre found a number of benefits inherent in LDL's tubular linear motor design. Being electrically identical to rotary servo motors, it can be powered and controlled by industry-standard servo drives, making it easy to integrate and use within a robot design. In addition, with no internal moving parts, the motor's quiet operation is ideal for the laboratory environment. And with zero wear of the thrust rod and block, it is virtually maintenance-free.

All Linear Drives' motors are based on a tubular design. The latest variant is a patented three-phase version, ThrustTube®, which is slightly faster. It exploits a unique and remarkably simple design which comprises a thrust rod running axially through a thrust block. The block carries a set of thrust-generating, circular armature coils, which unlike other types of linear motor, completely encircle its stator magnets. This means that during operation every coil cuts the electromagnetic flux lines of the magnets to produce a pure linear thrust and ensures optimum use of stored energy. It also allows the motor to operate without need of forced cooling.

For more information on ThrustTube linear motors, visit www.thrusttube.com or contact Rob Houghton, Linear Drives Ltd, Luckyn Lane, Basildon, Essex SS14 3BW, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1268 287070; Fax: +44 (0)1268 293344; e-mail: robh@linear.co.uk