Marian Schneider with Planar Motor

Marian Schneider, a mechanical engineer from Germany now living in Vancouver, discussed the innovative technology of Planar Motors at the MD&M West conference. Planar Motors uses magnetic levitation for motion, offering six degrees of freedom, including rotation, tipping, and tilting. The technology, which has been around for 10 years, is modular, flexible, and programmable, making it suitable for various assembly and packaging lines. Schneider highlighted the system's scalability, with applications ranging from small payloads to large systems with up to 1000 units. The technology is maintenance-free, relying on solid-state electronics and permanent magnets.

Outline

MD&M West Event Overview

• Scott introduces the episode of Industrial Talk, sponsored by MD&M West and the News and Brews team.
• MD&M West is highlighted for its medtech automation, packaging, plastics, and design innovations.
• Scott emphasizes the importance of attending MD&M West to connect with passionate individuals in the industry.
• The event is described as a significant platform for innovation, energy, and conversation in the medtech industry.

Introduction of Marian Schneider

• Scott introduces Marian Schneider, a key individual at Planar Motors.
• Scott praises the impressive footage from Marian's booth at MD&M West.
• Marian shares that the first day of the conference was very busy and exceeded expectations.
• The eye-catching demo at Marian's booth drew in many attendees, making it hard to avoid.

Marian Schneider's Background

• Marian shares his background, mentioning he is originally from Germany and now lives in Vancouver.
• He has a background in mechanical engineering and transitioned to the solutions team at Planar Motors.
• Marian has a degree in aerospace engineering and a master's in Mechatronics.
• Speaker 1 is impressed by Marian's extensive educational background and achievements.

Planar Motors Technology

• Marian explains the technology behind Planar Motors, which uses magnetic levitation for motion.
• The technology allows for movement in any direction, including up, down, rotating, tipping, and tilting.
• Planar Motors' technology is more advanced than traditional magnetic levitation systems.
• The technology has been around for 10 years and is used in various applications, including assembly and packaging lines.

Applications and Flexibility of Planar Motors

• Marian discusses the flexibility and scalability of Planar Motors' technology.
• The system is modular and can be customized to fit different automation equipment and processes.
• The motion on the system is programmable, allowing for quick changes in motion patterns without physical adjustments.
• Planar Motors' technology is designed to meet both immediate and future needs with its flexible and scalable solutions.

Future Innovations and Customer Collaboration

• Marian mentions potential future innovations, including smaller movers for smaller payloads and higher density.
• The company is focused on improving motion capabilities, such as rotation speed and stability.
• Software development is a significant part of Planar Motors' product, with ongoing efforts to make integration easier and reduce programming time.
• The company works closely with customers to understand their needs and requirements, ensuring their solutions meet market demands.

Technical Details and Customer Support

• Marian explains the technical details of Planar Motors' technology, including the use of permanent magnets and a 2D grid of coils.
• The system is solid-state and does not require mechanical parts, making it robust and maintenance-free.
• Planar Motors provides comprehensive support to customers, including application development, simulations, and virtual commissioning.
• The company ensures that customers are well-supported throughout the entire life cycle of their systems.

Contact Information and Final Thoughts

• Marian provides contact information for those interested in Planar Motors' technology, including email and LinkedIn.
• Scott expresses his admiration for Marian's technology and encourages listeners to reach out to him.
• The conversation concludes with a reminder to attend MD&M West next year to experience similar innovations.
• Scott emphasizes the importance of manufacturing and the exciting developments in the industry, encouraging listeners to stay tuned for more conversations.