Calmly and precisely submerged

The transfer system consists of four flange ball bushings and four center flange bushings. The drive for the lifting movement is provided by two ball screw spindles. (Image: Dr. Erich TRETTER GmbH + Co.)

Dr. TRETTER supplies spherical bushings for all applications. (Image: Dr. Erich TRETTER GmbH + Co.)

The ball screw drives from Dr. TRETTER ensure high speeds and positioning accuracy. They are also mechanically very stiff. (Image: Dr. Erich TRETTER GmbH + Co.)

The requirements for special machine builders are increasing. Because the systems should not only achieve optimal results. Customers also typically demand ever shorter delivery times. Timeframes of twelve to sixteen weeks from order placement to machine delivery are not uncommon. To enable this, machine builders have higher expectations of their suppliers: the components should be delivered quickly, reliably, and be robust. Additionally, machine builders need to assemble these quickly and with minimal effort. PINK GmbH Vacuum Technology therefore relies, among other things, on ready-to-install flange ball bushings from Dr. TRETTER.

PINK GmbH Vacuum Technology supplies custom-made systems and plants to renowned technology companies. These include firms from the automotive industry, medical technology, semiconductor and electrical industries, aerospace, as well as science and research. Through continuous product optimization and consistent customer orientation, PINK has grown steadily and successfully over recent years. The portfolio includes vacuum technology special systems, ultra-high vacuum components and systems, leak testing systems, accelerator components, and standard vacuum parts. PINK develops and manufactures solutions in-house, utilizing a total area of 15,000 square meters. The company employs a total of 230 staff members, including 130 in production and 40 in development and design.

Reliability as a Priority

Since PINK GmbH Vacuum Technology sources many machine elements and components externally, suppliers play an important role for the special machine builder. Reliability, price, adherence to deadlines, and quick delivery are crucial, even in economically tight situations. The machine components must not only be technically high-quality. When selecting suppliers, the company places great importance on quality and partnership to ensure the right components are always in use. An example of a successful collaboration in developing modern, competitive machines is the ongoing intensive cooperation with Dr. Erich TRETTER GmbH & Co.

Uniform and Vibration-Free

For a well-known corporation in Munich, an innovative system for the semiconductor industry was developed. The so-called Liquid Fill Tool is a functional system that allows users to impregnate wafer discs with molten metals or alloys under pressure. The quality of the coating depends critically on immersing the wafers smoothly and without vibrations into the bath. This required special demands on the guiding system.

Impregnation is an important phase in modern electromechanical engineering. It is intended to protect electrical conductors from moisture, dust, dirt, and chemically aggressive substances. Additionally, the impregnation medium can better dissipate the heat generated within the conductor to the environment. To prevent air inclusions during coating, the wafers are immersed under high pressure into the molten metal. After the immersion, the coated thin discs are hardened in an oven.

To meet the high demands on the lifting movement, the special machine builder relies on the flange ball bushings from Dr. TRETTER. This guiding system is available in many different versions. It can realize almost all linear movements. "These elements are rolling bearings for longitudinal movements," explains Peter Bordasch, Managing Director and Sales Manager at Dr. TRETTER. "They consist of a housing, the balls, and a cage that holds and guides the circulating balls." The balls roll on the guiding shaft and are returned via a return channel. This allows for unlimited linear movement. "Ball bushing guides are also suitable for this application because they can serve a load-bearing function. In this system, they support the entire holding device. The ball bushings reach speeds of up to two meters per second. This allows short process cycles to be achieved with the system. They are lubricated with oil or grease. The initial lubrication is usually sufficient, as many applications do not require re-lubrication." To achieve the required guiding accuracy, four central flange bushings are also integrated into the transfer system.

A key reason why PINK chose these machine elements instead of, for example, profile rail guides, is that the flange ball bushings have the advantage of being able to compensate for higher tolerances in the connection construction due to their larger play. This means the surfaces on which they are mounted do not need to be machined as precisely. This saves considerable time, as the housing already has a flange, and the installers only need to screw on the ball bushing. They do not need to manufacture an additional fixture, enabling very short assembly times.

To drive the transfer system, Dr. TRETTER supplied two ball screw drives, also with flange nuts. The ground ball screw drives with high pitch accuracy have shaft diameters of 25 millimeters. Because these are mechanically very stiff, they enable high positioning accuracy.