Durable, low-maintenance gearbox solution and energy supply systems in an ice cream vending machine

• What was needed: A flexible, economic automated solution for ice cream dispensing
• Requirements: Fast ROI, longer maintenance intervals, durability, low error rate
• Material: Apiro modular gearbox system, E2 e-chain, chainflex cables
• Industry: Vending machinery

In the summer, a group of friends stands together at an ice cream machine, looking for the right change; by the time the last ice cream is dispensed, the first one has melted. The sec°mat IC One changes all that: For the first time, the ice cream vending machine with its interactive touch display includes a shopping cart function. The user assembles his ice cream creations, makes a quick contactless payment, and gets the order for the entire group of friends in one go. And he can watch the inner workings of the vending machine through a transparent pane – something for him to do while he is waiting.
 

To select the ice cream, robot kinematics move smoothly to open the freezer, remove the ice cream, and place it in the dispensing compartment.

Problem

Finding cost-effective robot kinematics that are flexible,durable, and maintenance-free and that people enjoy watching at work – that was the problem to be solved. The developers had initially considered a SCARA robot. "But it turned out that the error rate over time is quite high if this set-up is not in a factory where it can be maintained constantly," says Seco Manufaktur CEO Frank Kuhn. "But longer maintenance intervals and durability were particularly important to us."

Solution

igus experts were involved in the development process, and together they found the perfect solution in the modular drygear Apiro gearbox system. The focus is on tribologically optimised worm gears. The corrosion-free, chemically-resistant high-performance polymers ensure high stability, low weight, a long service life, and no maintenance. The joints are attached by means of a multi-functional profile made of aluminium. This allows drive shafts to be inserted through a hollow space in the middle, facilitating the action of the inverted worm gear, which causes the aluminium profile to rotate. It is thus ideally suited for use in robotics and rotating applications. The linear-movement worm gear allows the aluminium profile to travel linearly, or the worm gear travels on the linear profile. All worm gears have very little clearance. In addition to the three-axis linear robots, the sec°mat's final complete system has two E2-series energy chains and chainflex cables. "It is not only technically optimal, but also an eye-catcher," says Kuhn. "The ice cream is retrieved where the customer can see the process, since we weren't interested in a coldly industrial solution. We wanted the system to be visually attractive and arouse user curiosity."

A real sales eye-catcher: Seco Kältetechnik's sec°mat IC One is user-friendly, digitally networked, and filled with tasty ice cream.

The central element in the interior is the igus automation solution, consisting of Apiro kinematics, including e-chains and chainflex cables.

The Apiro robot kinematics are not just fun to watch, but durable with a flexible design and require no maintenance.