Page 5 - Industrial Technology EXTRA 17th August 2020

The drive solution from Schaeffler is a
segmented, slotless RMF torque motor

rely on long exposure times, which
means the telescope must be able to
move with millimetre precision – an
immensely challenging task given the
enormous weight involved.
Schaeffler has already proved its
expertise in this sector in 2015 when
the company supplied a torque motor provides engineering and
for a satellite observation station in Changchun, architecture services, was commissioned to develop
China, which is part of the National Astronomical this new CG set. Due to a positive experience during
Observatories belonging to the Chinese Academy of its long-standing collaboration with Schaeffler Iberia
Sciences. in various projects, IDOM decided to involve
Schaeffler in the development of the instrument
Specialist expertise rotator drive.
Schaeffler Iberia contributed its specialist The instrument rotator is an important high
engineering expertise in industrial drives to this precision mechanism in the telescope and controls
latest project on La Palma and was involved in the focal tracking and rapid positioning system that
developing an instrument rotator for one of the rotates the two-tonne telescopic camera with
GTC’s focal stations, known as the Cassegrain Focal outstanding eveness throughout the entire
Station (CG-Set). IDOM, a Spanish company that observation in order to ensure its perfect alignment

August 2020 • INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY EXTRA • p5