Maintenance-free operation in Automated Coffee Barista machine

Application Overview

• What was needed: Dry-running bearings for the output unit
• Requirements: Maintenance-free, corrosion-resistant, smooth-running
• Industry: Vending Machine + Kiosk, Automation + Robotics
• Success for the customer: PRT-04 series provides dry-running, maintenance-free operation with continuously low breakaway torque. The solution is also corrosion-resistant and suitable for food applications.

MyAppCafe developed a fully automatic coffee barista robot that prepares custom coffee drinks in seconds. A special milk system allows 650 coffee portions to be prepared without a refill. Customers can place their orders at the machine using its touchscreen or with an app, and pay directly and cashlessly.

Problem

"One challenge was the bearing support in the output systems. We needed maintenance-free bearings, as contaminants like fluids or coffee grounds are inevitable, and temperature changes can cause condensation," says Dirk G. Rothweiler.

"This applies to other food systems too, and we couldn't rely on standard ball bearings. The second key factor was low breakaway torque, especially at slow start-up speeds. Our servomotors start slowly, accelerate slightly, and then stop gently, so the bearings must minimize energy loss during rotation."

Solution

Ready-to-install iglide® 04-series PRT slewing ring bearings are ideal for this application. The design is based on dry-running, maintenance-free sliding elements made of glide® J materials, in combination with rings made of anodized aluminum.

The sliding elements of this series are pre-loaded, so there is no haptic clearance over the entire service life. iglide® J features very low coefficients of friction in dry operation and a very low stick-slip tendency. It's also resistant to common cleaning agents in the food industry and has low moisture absorption allowing it to be used in wet or humid environments.