REGNER joins circular economy
Regner® Editorial Team
Aiguaviva -
29/07/2024
PERTE concession for manufacturing industries
The current environmental crisis demands an urgent change in our production and consumption patterns. Linear economics based on the “extract-produce-use-throw away” cycle is no longer viable if we seek a sustainable future. The transition to a circular economy, which maximizes the use and useful life of resources, is imperative. This approach not only preserves the environment, but also opens up new opportunities for technological innovation and business competitiveness.
To this end, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism awarded REGNER last November a grant within the framework of the strategic plans for manufacturing industries to carry out a project focused on circular economy called: Eco-innovation in the manufacturing process of microactuators for the improvement of efficiency, sustainability and useful life.
REGNER will leverage its extensive product engineering expertise, thermoplastics knowledge and experience, data analysis, electronic engineering with component and microchip selection, mobile software design to create technology for motion control.
Its microactuator solutions are used to provide smooth and precise motion for dosing systems, ultrasonic cleaning devices, optical spectrometers, analytical equipment and systems for the pharmaceutical industry, as well as suspension systems for electric wheelchairs.
Principles of eco-innovation and circular economy
The project is based on three fundamental pillars that ensure both environmental sustainability and the efficiency and durability of the product:
Replacement of metal components with recycled thermoplastics:
- The steel used in the screw-nut transmission system will be replaced by recycled thermoplastics, manufactured using injection molds developed by additive manufacturing. This replacement not only reduces the need for lubricants and maintenance, but also increases the energy efficiency of the micro actuator by at least 14%.
- Similarly, the steel stem will be replaced by a recycled thermoplastic, replacing chemicals such as cyanoacrylate adhesives, resulting in a cleaner and more sustainable product.
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Redesign and optimization of components:
The elimination of adhesives and greases, together with the optimization of friction by means of self-lubricating plastics, will extend the service life of the micro actuator by 50%.
Additive manufacturing for the design of injection molds:
- The implementation of 3D printed molds for the injection of parts in recycled thermoplastics will replace conventional methods. This approach allows for more agile, less polluting manufacturing and facilitates rapid iterations and optimizations in the design of components such as nuts, spindles and shanks.
Advanced electronics integration:
- A digital solution will be developed that allows remote monitoring and updating of the microactuator. This includes the control of parameters such as consumption, position, direction and speed, thus ensuring that the product can adapt to various needs and prolong its service life.
A future with sustainable microactuators
