Quick Dips

Magnetic Technology

Novel New Zealand technology is behind a new range of hi-tech materials handling equipment recently launched by a Japanese company.

The development involves transferring electric power across air gaps of up to 50 mm using magnetic fields at high frequency. The breakthrough was made at the University of Auckland's School of Engineering.

Now patented worldwide, the technology has been licensed to Japan's Daifuku Company, the world's biggest producer of materials handling plant. The company expects to use the New Zealand technology in most of its products.

The new ideas have been incorporated into monorail systems used in car manufacturing plants and other industries. Because electricity is magnetically transferred to moving trolleys across an air gap, and avoids direct contact, the systems are maintenance-free in dirty, wet, icy or explosive environments. They are also safe to touch.

"Some new discoveries with modern electronic devices here in our laboratories helped us to succeed where others didn't", said Professor John Boys, inventor of the technology.

Operating prototypes were built in Auckland by the university team and sent to Japan over the past year. Close cooperation with engineers at Daifuku has been the key to quick commercialisation.

Boys believes the technology has widespread application beyond materials handling. It is ideally suited to passenger transport because it is so safe.

The licensing deal has been worth about $1 million so far, including contracts for building the prototypes. Daifuku will also pay royalties on the new system. Licensees for applications outside of materials handling are being sought.