Up and coming guided drives

The tasks are clear cut: The DGC is a standard component amongst the rodless drives, as well as forming part of Festo’s modular handling and assembly system, and what it has to offer is apparent in various ways. The following applies in general to all DGCs – more compact, higher performance machines thanks to minimised installation space and the use of standard SME and SMT-10 sensors integrated into the profile.

Ideal guidance

Selection can be made from amongst various types including the basic drive, as well as those with plain bearing and recirculating ball bearing guide – optionally with shock absorber and a second slide. All three guide variants ensure high precision, handling of large loads and torques, as well as maintenance-free operation. In addition to this, the recirculating ball bearing guide offers improved corrosion resistance through the use of stainless steel, better protection against contamination thanks to complete sealing, and significant noise reduction.

High profile drive

The profile mounting ensures that the DGC has a rigid connection – sturdy, precise and easy to replace – without readjustment. For example, it can be mounted to a drive by means of a dovetail connector, thus providing outstanding rigidity. Precision assembly interfaces with centring rings on the slide made of ground stainless steel also facilitate simple, accurate attachment.

Thanks to Festo’s newly developed, innovative, patented sealing concept – sealing band and cover strip are simply clipped into the profile – the DGC is practically leak-proof with an average leakage value of only 0.2 litres per hour.
Long strokes of up to 8500 mm can be implemented without restriction. Service life is also increased thanks to the benefits of the new sealing concept as well. For example, the basic variant of the DGC-12 completed 50 million double strokes during service life testing.

The right connection

The connection between the piston and the slide is arranged at a 45° angle instead of the usual 90° configuration, allowing for access to all control elements from one side. These include, for example, end-position adjustment, proximity sensors and flow control valves. The integrated shock absorbers in the end caps don’t require any additional mounting components. Easy installation, commissioning and service are thus ensured.

Custom tailored for your application

The range of possible applications is also extremely varied. The DGC demonstrates its full potential where drives with guide or multi-axis applications are required, even where only minimal installation space is available. However, the DGC is used primarily in special machinery manufacturing, where short lead-times, long service life, zero maintenance and high load capacity are in demand. In the electronics and light assembly industries, as well as in pharmaceuticals and precision engineering, the DGC is distinguished by compact dimensions together with high performance, and outstanding repetition accuracy.