• Omni-Directional Drive Systems
• Omni-Directional Wheels
• Drives/Gear Reduction
• Motors & Encoders
• Chassis
• Omni Integrated Systems
• Omni Integrated Systems

Omni-Directional Drive Systems
Omnix utilizes top rated drive systems, such as a hydraulic drive system or a battery powered electric motor drive system that allows for maximum performance for every omni-directional transporter. The main parts of an omni-directional drive system are comprised of the following: wheels, gear reduction, and motors.

Omni-Directional Wheels
In 1973, Bengt Ilon, Swedish inventor working for a company named Mecanum, AB, formulated an idea for a wheel which could move in any direction, thus the term "omni-wheel".

Ilon's original concept was to attach a number of free-wheeling rollers, around a rim, with the rollers oriented at 45º with respect to the wheel’s axis of rotation. This feature would allow the wheel to move not only perpendicular to the axis of rotation, but also at any angle between +45º and -45º degrees. This strange-looking wheel is also known as the "Ilon Wheel" or the "Mecanum Wheel".

A basic omni wheel can be made with a variable number of rollers determined by the application and desired performance. The number of rollers; profile of the roller; hub engineering; and wheel diameter are critical to a well designed omni-wheel.

Omnix has produced several wheels of varying design and size, ranging from 4 inch diameter to 25 inch diameter, and ranging from a single roller to triple roller. Each design and size can be customized to suit the specific application of a transporter.

Drives / Gear Reduction
Non-continuous periphery of the omni wheel limits its uses to applications where slow speeds only are required. Slow speeds and heavy loads impose a demand on the vehicle’s drive system to provide high torques to overcome ordinary obstacles left on the ground.

These high torques are provided by the final gear box driving the omni wheel. A vehicle designed for omni wheels can utilize almost any type of gear drives used for traction operations: planetary, helical gears, worm drives, bevel gear, etc. For maximum power transfer, the rotational speed of the wheel must be matched to the speed of the power source, which could be a hydraulic or electric motor. The typical omni directional transporter is optimized for speeds approximating a &fast walk&, meaning 1.0 to 1.5 mph.

Motors & Encoders
Omni Directional Transporters can be designed for applications that range from positioning surveillance sensors to the handling of ISO containers. In other words, the payload requirement can vary from just a few pounds to thousands of pounds. Motive power for the wide variety of uses is supplied by motors which are coupled to the final gear drives, either directly, or indirectly (connected by belts, chains, or meshed gears).

There are two classes of motors used in Omni Directional Transporters: hydraulic and electric. With dozens of different types available for use, the choice is dictated by the operational environment, the characteristic of the load, cost, dimensional limits, efficiency, and maintainability.

Any closed loop speed control system requires a means to compare the commanded input with the resultant speed of the wheels, which matches the speed of the driving motor through the speed reducing gear.

There are a number of devices that, when attached to the motor shaft, can produce a signal which is proportional to the speed of the motor. Encoders, tachometers, synchros, and resolvers can be used for this function.

Chassis
The core of an omni-directional transporter is the base unit and/or chassis. Omnix uses welded, box-frame chassis constructed from standard structural steel tubing and other shapes. The typical chassis is optimized for the size of wheels, type of drive train, and payload characteristics, which include weight, shape, fragility, size, etc.

A variety of accessories can attached to the chassis, such as e-stops, flashing lights, and horns.

Omni-Control Systems
Omnix has developed the most advanced control system for 3 and 4 wheeled omni-vehicles in the world. There are essentially 3 ways to control an omni-directional vehicle, namely, (1) Manually, (2) Automatically Guided, and (3) Semi-Automatic, with some Operator Control.

(1) Manual Controls- This is performed in two ways (a) By means of an Operator Joystick Control physically connected by a pendant cable to the vehicle.  In this situation, the Operator moves at more or less the same speed as the vehicle, and he can be no further away than the length of the pendant—usually about 10 ft.  (b)  By means of an Operator Joystick Control with a wireless link to the vehicle.  In this mode of control, the Operator can be up to 300 ft. away, as long as he has visual line of sight to the vehicle.

(2) Automatically-Guided Controls- Automatically-Guided Control is achieved by substituting the motion commands from the Operator’s Joystick Control, with alternate commands calculated by a higher-order control computer.

(3) Semi-Automatic, with some Operator Control- The semi-automatic guidance is a combination of the previous two.  This might be employed, for instance, in a warehousing operation with 2 or more widely separated material staging areas.

Omni Integrated Systems
Omnix’s technology is not just about the omni-directional wheel; it’s primary focus revolves around Integrated Systems. Omnix believes in designing and developing equipment to provide a turn-key system using Omni-Directional Transporters to serve as a force multiplier, which will allow for innovative strides in Integrated Systems, which include automation and robotics.

Omni-directional transporters are ideal for integrated system applications, such as automated and/or autonomous Robotic Sentry Systems that could be used indoors or outdoors. The movement and function of the transporter can be automatically programmed to operate across a given course and/or area, but the omni capability allows for patrolling in tight spaces that a standard sentry system may not be able to reach.

Other applications include automation in manufacturing plants, warehouses, shipyards and storage facilities. The possibilities are endless!

Project List:

• NASA: Advanced guidance control systems through telepathic digital code transmission for "thinking" robots.
• AKT: Automated manufacturing system utilizing a custom omni-transporter with a hydraulic lift system used for loading, off-loading, and transporting large flat screen televisions.
• Marand Precision Engineering: ABB CNC Robotic Arm for Hawker De Haviland's automated manufacturing plant.
• FMI: Omni controls were integrated into munitions handling and loading machinery.