Researchers from the Universidad Caarlos III de Madrid in Spain, the National Research Council of Genoa and the University of Cassino in Italy, the University of Lisbon in Portugal, BPE from Germany, LIDAX from Spain, and CAN Superconductors from the Czech Republichave been working together on MAGDRIVE, a European project focused on developing a new gear transmission mechanism based on magnetic forces. The design uses a magnetic gear reducer, which is a mechanism that transforms speed from an input axle to another in an output axle. Unlike a conventional gear reducer, this transmission is produced without contact between the pieces, which means there is no wear on the components and no need for lubrication. It also produces less noise and vibration, and it is even capable of through-wall transmission. The researchers have developed two prototypes. One is for applications in outer space, in which high-precision movements are needed, when contamination from lubricants is undesired, or with extreme temperature or conditions. The second prototype is for more traditional applications. In it, the magnetic reducer “substitutes the gear teeth with permanent magnets that repel and attract each other” so that “the transmission of couples and forces between the moving parts with contact is achieved”. The spinout company MAG SOAR has been created for this project.
Source: Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
