IP Library Granted Patent US 12,732,080
Granted Patent B2
US 12,732,080 · App. 18/744,941 · Granted Sep 8, 2026

Method for processing a planar object with the aid of a planar drive system

Inventors: Johannes Beckhoff (Schloß Holte-Stukenbrock, DE); Felix Schulte (Rietberg, DE)
Assignee: Beckhoff Automation GmbH
H02K41/035H02K1/22H02K3/04
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,732,080
App. No.
18/744,941
Granted
Sep 8, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to a method for processing a planar object 30 with the aid of a planar drive system 1 , wherein the planar drive system 1 comprises at least a stator assembly 3 each comprising a plurality of coil groups 4 for generating a stator magnetic field, a stator surface 5 above the stator assembly 3 , and a rotor 100 . The rotor 100 comprises a plurality of magnet units 105 for generating a rotor magnetic field, wherein the rotor 100 is movable above the stator surface 5 with the aid of an interaction of the stator magnetic field with the rotor magnetic field in a first direction 21 and/or a second direction 22 parallel to the stator surface 5 and/or is movable in a third direction 23 perpendicular to the stator surface 5 , wherein a tool 120 is arranged at the rotor 100 , wherein the planar object 30 is arranged between the stator surface 5 and the rotor 100 , with the following steps: energizing the coil groups in such a way that the rotor comprises a predetermined height above the stator surface in the third direction. energizing the coil groups in such a way that the rotor moves along a predetermined trajectory, wherein the tool and the planar object are in mechanical contact, thereby processing the planar object.

Claims (44)

1 . A method for processing a planar object with the aid of a planar drive system, the planar drive system comprising:

at least a stator assembly comprising in each case a plurality of coil groups for generating a stator magnetic field,

a stator surface above the stator assembly, and

a rotor, the rotor comprising a plurality of magnet units for generating a rotor magnetic field, the rotor being movable above the stator surface with the aid of an interaction of the stator magnetic field with the rotor magnetic field in a first direction and/or a second direction and/or a third direction,

wherein the first direction and the second direction are parallel to the stator surface,

wherein the rotor is movable in the third direction perpendicular to the stator surface,

wherein a tool is arranged at the rotor, and

wherein the planar object is arranged between the stator surface and the rotor;

the method comprising the following steps:

energizing the coil groups in such a way that the rotor comprises a predetermined height above the stator surface in the third direction,

energizing the coil groups in such a way that the rotor moves along a predetermined trajectory, wherein the tool and the planar object are in mechanical contact, thereby processing the planar object.

2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein when energizing the coil groups in such a way that the rotor has a predetermined height above the stator surface in the third direction, a magnetic permeability of the planar object is taken into account.

3 . The method according to claim 2 , wherein a current intensity of the coil groups is adjusted based on the magnetic permeability of the planar object.

4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein at first the coil groups are energized in such a way that the rotor moves in the third direction away from the stator surface, then the coil groups are energized in such a way that the rotor is located above the planar object, and then the coil groups are energized in such a way that the rotor moves in the third direction towards the stator surface until the tool and the planar object are in mechanical contact.

5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein energizing the coil groups in such a way that the rotor moves along a predetermined trajectory is carried out in such a way that for at least one point of the trajectory a predetermined force is compared to a determined force, and energizing the coil groups is carried out in such a way that the determined force corresponds to the predetermined force.

6 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the planar object in the third direction is determined and the predetermined height is calculated using the thickness.

7 . The method according to claim 6 , wherein the thickness of the planar object in the third direction is determined with the aid of a sensor arranged at the rotor.

8 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein a fixation rotor is moved towards the stator surface with the aid of the coil groups in such a way that the planar object at the stator surface is restricted from moving in the first direction and/or second direction and/or third direction with the aid of the fixation rotor.

9 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein a force-increasing rotor acts upon the rotor with the aid of at least one force-transmitting unit to increase a force of the tool on the planar object in the third direction.

10 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the tool comprises a cutting tool and processing the planar object comprises cutting.

11 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein:

the cutting tool comprises a first cutting edge and at least one second cutting edge,

wherein the first cutting edge is arranged on a first side of the rotor and the second cutting edge is arranged on a second side of the rotor,

wherein the first side and the second side of the rotor are opposite to each other, and

wherein the rotor it tiltable for processing the planar object in such a way that the first cutting edge and/or the second cutting edge are in mechanical contact with the planar object.

12 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the tool comprises a punching tool and the processing of the planar object comprises punching.

13 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the tool comprises a stamp, wherein a stamp bed is arranged on the stator surface, and wherein processing the planar object comprises stamping.

14 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the tool comprises a print head and the processing of the planar object comprises printing.

15 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the tool comprises an adhesive-dispensing nozzle and the processing of the planar object comprises applying an adhesive.

16 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the tool comprises a roller and the processing of the planar object comprises rolling.

17 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the tool comprises a press and the processing of the planar object comprises pressing.

18 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the tool comprises a pen and the processing of the planar object comprises writing or drawing.

19 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the tool comprises a driven tool and the processing of the planar object comprises drilling and/or milling and/or engraving and/or sawing and/or grinding and/or perforating.

20 . A planar drive system comprising:

at least a stator assembly respectively comprising a plurality of coil groups for generating a stator magnetic field,

a stator surface above the stator assembly, and

a rotor, the rotor comprising a plurality of magnet units for generating a rotor magnetic field, the rotor being movable above the stator surface with the aid of an interaction of the stator magnetic field with the rotor magnetic field in a first direction and/or a second direction and/or a third direction,

wherein the first direction and the second direction are parallel to the stator surface,

wherein the rotor is movable in the third direction perpendicular to the stator surface, and

wherein a tool is arranged at the rotor;

and further comprising a controller which is configured to output a first signal,

wherein on the basis of the first signal the coil groups are energized in such a way that the rotor has a predetermined height above the stator surface in the third direction and furthermore to output a second signal, and

wherein on the basis of the second signal the coil groups are energized in such a way that the rotor moves on a predetermined trajectory; and

wherein the tool and a planar object are in mechanical contact in the process and the planar object is processed as a result.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 21, 2024
From: BECKHOFF, JOHANNES; SCHULTE, FELIX
To: BECKHOFF AUTOMATION GMBH
Reel/Frame 067793/0949 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2021 134 510.3 · Dec 23, 2021 · national
Continuity (2)
Continuation PCTEP2022087192 · Dec 21, 2022
Related Publication 20240339911A1 · Oct 10, 2024
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