Phytron stepper motors, precision gear units used in Mars lander

For example, Phytron's development, design and supply of deep space-prepared stepper motors and gear units for NASA's InSight Mars lander began in 2013, working with the Max Plank Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) on the levelling system for the SEIS (Seismic Experiment for Interior Structure) seismometer. With several European and American partners collaborating on the technological development of the SEIS project, the ultraprecise seismometer is capable of capturing sub-nanometre level ground motion from marsquakes, meteorite impacts, local events like dust storms or landslides, and even the tiny tidal deformation of Mars induced by its moon Phobos. Delivery to MPS took place well before Insight's launch in May 2018 and in November last year the successful landing of the spacecraft was followed by confirmation that the seismometer was operational early in January 2019.

No strangers to such extended project success timescales, and with well-developed and highly proven manufacturing and test procedures that ensure the reliability required for such extreme environment applications, Phytron has supplied over 250 motors for space applications and many more for other equally demanding motion control tasks.

Stepper motors and gear units

For the SEIS instrument, Phytron supplied three 19mm diameter stepper motors complete with in-house designed planetary gear units with a 48:1 reduction ratio. The triangular levelling system uses the three motor gear units to precisely align the instrument via precision spur gears driving separate threaded spindles. The stepper motor, with its nominal current of 0.3A and full step resolution at 200 steps/rev, and the integrated gear unit is relatively simple and traditional design. However, the manufacturing process and attention to detail in construction included separate engineering and qualification models each with intensive performance testing for electrical, dynamic, mechanical and thermal specifications before final flight models were supplied for the actual mission. All processes and the necessarily stringent quality testing were completely documented and most components were manufactured in-house.

Extensive testing

Space-prepared motion components from Phytron are typically designed for use in ultra-high-vacuum with intensive radiation hardening and for temperature extremes of 573K for the motor winding down to 4K ambient (300degC to -270degC). Gear units include special lubrication and construction in materials including high-quality stainless steel and titanium. Of course, cleanliness during and after manufacture is paramount for such components. Outgassing and vacuum conditioning includes particle removal assisted by UV light, aided by alpha wipes and ionised gaseous nitrogen before and during assembly in Phytron's clean room. Testing and quality assurance is carried out in-house using Phytron's extensive test facilities or with the customer, and can include environment duplication where possible. Packaging includes double-bagging with the first bag purged with dry nitrogen before heat sealing with a desiccant pack and a humidity indicator placed in the second bag.

Non-space applications

Many of these manufacturing procedures are also used for other extreme environment motion control applications found in cryogenics, particle accelerator research, nuclear engineering, medical equipment and other equally demanding industries. Phytron's certifications include DIN EN ISO 9001 and DIN EN 9100 'Aircert'. The full product range covers standard and specialist-grade stepper motors and complete actuator assemblies with compatible stepper motor drives, gear units and sophisticated multi-axis motion controllers with optional Labview programming.

Mclennan has worked closely with Phytron for several years as a customer as well as a full distribution and support partner since 2017, and can boast several years' experience specifying and integrating the German specialist's standard and extreme-grade motion components. Mclennan has over 40 years' experience working with long-term, complicated technological projects such as this, so the partnership with Phytron is ideal.

Through distribution partnerships with other motion component manufacturers, and with its own comprehensive design and build service available, Mclennan provides stepper and servo motor-based automation systems from single components through to complete mechatronic assemblies. For the Phytron product range, more information can be found here.

Other cutting-edge instruments deployed on the InSight lander that contribute to measuring Mars' 'vital signs' include precision temperature and tracking equipment. Further information on the SEIS instrument and all its participating partners can be found here. More information on the InSight mission is available at mars.nasa.gov/insight.