Selecting a Linear actuator
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As we have seen already, actuators have myriad applications in different fields. But this doesn’t mean that all actuators are made equal. When purchasing an actuator, you should be able to know which suits your requirements best. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to choose the right actuator for your needs.
Step 1. Assess the movement required:
Does the object you need to move in your project require linear or rotary movement? Linear actuators are useful in exerting a mechanical force that would move an object in a straight line while rotary actuators, as the name suggests, generate circular motion.
Step 2: Consider the energy input:
Electrical actuators are becoming more and more popular due to their increasing sophistication and flexibility in handling various kinds of operations. But that doesn’t mean it's suited for every work out there. Consider hydraulic or pneumatic actuators if your work does not include electrical voltage input.
Step 3: Assess the precision level required:
Some actuators are ideal for heavy-duty work in rough environments, but they may not work well when it comes to handling smaller work like packaging which requires precision and the ability to repeat the same action hundreds or thousands of times.
Step 4 : Find out how much force you need:
The purpose of an actuator is to move or lift an object. Find out, in your case, how much this object weighs. The load capacity of an actuator decides how much it can lift, and although many actuators may look similar, their load capacity will vary. Before you buy an actuator, make sure the weight of your object matches the capacity of the actuator.
Step 5: Find out how far you need the object moved:
Distance, or stroke length as it is technically known, matters here. The stroke length decides how far your object can be moved. Manufacturers often sell actuators of varying stroke length.
Step 6: How fast do you want the movement to be:
The speed of the actuator is often an important factor for most people, depending on their project. Usually, projects that require actuators to exert high force would move slower than those that generate low force. Speed of an actuator is measured in distance per second.
Step 7: Consider the operating environment:
Does the actuator need to work in a rugged or rough environment, where dust or humidity is a concern? If this is the case, you would want to choose a product with higher protection rating.
Step 8: Decide on the mounting style:
Actuators in the market come in different mounting styles and understanding their benefits is necessary before buying an actuator. For instance, a dual-pivot mounting method in a linear electric actuator allows the device to pivot on both sides while extending and retracting. With this, the application gets to have two free pivot points while moving on a fixed path.
Conversely, stationary mounting, which secures the actuator to an object along the shaft, is useful for actions such as pushing a button. At this stage, you should be able to narrow down your options to a significantly smaller pool from where you started. From here, you will need to narrow down further. For instance, linear actuators come in different styles for different kinds of functions. Rod-style, for instance, is the most common and simple among them, with a shaft that expands and retracts. Track style, which does not change its overall length or size during operations are more suited when space constraints are an issue. There are also column lifts and other actuators that would be ideal for setting up TV and table lifts. Factors such as operating voltage and motor type may also be worth considering.
Choose the Actuator
Capabilities of a Linear Actuator
Performance metrics are quantifiable outputs that help you evaluate the quality of a particular product. Actuators can be considered under several performance metrics. Traditionally, most common among them have been torque, speed, and durability. These days, energy efficiency is also considered equally important. Other factors that may be considered include volume, mass, operating conditions, etc.
Torque or force
Naturally, torque is one of the most important aspects to consider in the performance of an actuator. A key factor here is to note that there are two kinds of torque metric to consider, static and dynamic load. Static load torque or force refers to the actuator’s capacity when it is at rest. The dynamic metric refers to the device’s torque capacity when it is in motion.
Speed
Speed of an actuator differs depending on the weight of the load it is supposed to carry. Usually, the higher the weight, the lower the speed. Hence the speed metric should first be looked at when the actuator is not carrying any load.
Durability
Contact us to discuss your requirements of advantages and disadvantages of pneumatic systems. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
The type of actuator and the manufacturer’s design decides the durability of an actuator. Although those such as hydraulic actuators are considered more durable and rugged compared to electric actuators, the detail specs on the quality of the material used will be up to the manufacturer.
Energy efficiency
With increasing concerns on energy conservation and its direct impact on operational costs, energy efficiency is becoming more and more a decisive metric in all kinds of machinery. Here the lesser the quantity of energy required for an actuator to achieve its goal, the better.
An actuator is a part of a machine or device that enables movement by converting some form of energy into mechanical force with the push of a button. There are various kinds, but the most popular are the hydraulic types which use incompressible liquid as energy. Electric linear actuators have been gaining more traction recently because of their benefits compared to other choices.
Electric linear actuators produce mechanical force by using the rotational motion of an AC or DC motor. They’re present in most machines in your everyday life like your washing machine and standing desk. Usually, larger-scale applications can be seen in the automotive industry. They’re installed in cars and major machine parts used to manufacture vehicles.
So, what are its advantages that made more engineers and business owners start to use this type of technology more? Here’s a quick rundown of some of them:
One of the most important benefits of an electric linear actuator is its simple design. A system consists of a DC or AC motor, a series of gears, and a lead screw with a driving nut that pushes a rod shaft in and out.
Meanwhile, hydraulic and pneumatic systems have more complex designs. They always come with more parts, including pumps and hoses.
Putting everything together would be easier since you won’t have to deal with pumps and hoses. Installing this only requires simple wiring. The simplified assembly process means faster integration into the entire ecosystem of the facility. This also reduces labor costs due to the amount of time saved.
An electric linear actuator is a self-contained unit mounted where the motion is required, which is then connected to the system controller with a small cable. Unlike its counterparts, it doesn’t need much space to function efficiently. This gives people more flexibility when incorporating the actuator into the area.
On the other hand, a hydraulic actuator system of the same capabilities would usually need more because it comes with more parts. The primary actuator needs to be connected through hoses to a reservoir equipped with a motor. Allotting space for these units would require careful planning, especially for those who have smaller facilities.
Apart from letting you easily install it in a facility with ease, an electric linear actuator can also be integrated with other systems and equipment with no trouble at all. Programming the commands to the controllers that manage the facility’s machines is less complicated than doing it with a hydraulic or pneumatic system.
Norgren ELION Electric Actuators are the ideal choice when looking for a high performance electric actuator suitable for a variety of industrial applications.An electric linear actuator provides a higher level of control throughout the entire process. With just a few keystrokes on the controller, the operator fully controls the piston’s position and applied force.
Other actuators can’t replicate the same level of accuracy and control. For example, a hydraulic system would usually suffer from a ‘stick slip.’ It’s where the main actuator jerks during the transition of moving and being still.
If a well-trained operator has complete control, the likelihood of an accident is slim, but it’s always best to have safety precautions. This is where electric linear actuators shine. Most of these actuators come with limit switches. They’re designed to send a signal to the drive to stop the motion when it reaches full extension and retraction. Limit switches help prevent the machine from stalling after it reaches its limit. If it stalls, the motors will keep going until they break down and burn.
Electric linear actuators only use electricity as a source of energy, nothing else. It’s clean and doesn’t produce any by-products during use, so the healthcare and medical industries prefer this variant because it can’t contaminate anything.
Hydraulic systems have high-pressure fluids flowing through hoses, which must be properly maintained. If one part gets damaged, the leak can contaminate products or the facility itself.
Meanwhile, pneumatic actuators have compressed air that can blow contaminants into the environment.
Noise pollution is also a factor to consider when looking for actuators. Hydraulic systems may bring in more power, but it’s also louder because of their high horsepower motors. It’s the main reason many refer to them as “bang-bang” devices because of the noise they make when in use.
Electric actuators use silent electrical motors.
This type of actuator has advanced to the point where it’s virtually maintenance-free. Because it has fewer components, it has fewer points of failure. And its parts are easier to troubleshoot and repair or replace since most of them are just wires and gear systems.
Those who have hydraulic setups need to constantly check their systems to prevent the risk of leaks and contamination. Fluids also need to be regularly replaced to ensure a smooth operation.
Another advantage of having an electric linear actuator is the savings you can get from it.
All the other benefits add up when talking about its cost-effectiveness.
Since this kind of actuator doesn’t have a lot of components, owners don’t have to stock up on a lot of spare parts. It lets you cut back on labor costs, too, since it’s easier to install, operate, and maintain. Lastly, you won’t have to spend much energy as it consumes less power than others.
With the advancement of technology, electric linear actuators can now come in different sizes. But all of them are essentially the same device with a motor, gears, and leadscrew. All that changes is the size of the motor inside.
This is how many industries can utilize this device in some form or another. Some integrate it into products like lift desks, while others use it for heavy machinery and manufacturing. Whatever electric linear actuators are for, they will provide the maximum flexibility for any application. To get to know more about electric actuators, reach out to our team.
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