Looking for the latest pneumatic actuator news? Look no further. Pneumatics Tips provides the most up to date news and information on pneumatic actuator products and pneumatic automation. For specific news and information on pneumatic actuator innovations, take a look at the articles below.

Tolomatic’s MXP Pneumatic Rodless Product Family Expanded

Hamel, MN—Tolomatic announces the introduction of three new sizes to the MXP rodless product, completing the size range from 16 mm to 63 mm bores. MXP is designed with Tolomatic’s exclusive ENDURANCE TECHNOLOGY features for maximum durability and long life. MXP delivers increased load capability and offers enhanced features to deliver superior performance and reliable operation. Featuring a new clean look, MXP is also designed for easy installation.

Tolomatic’s advanced MX platform delivers a complete family of 30 actuators and provides increased bending moment and load capability, offering a range of 35 lbf to 2,583 lbf (Fz), with auxiliary carriers available for double the load capacity. With MXP, customers can select from 6 bore sizes, three durable bearing systems, and inch or metric versions to suit the widest variety of applications.

MXP’s three bearing options are designed to solve a broad number of application requirements. The Internal Bearing (N) design is a low cost solution featuring a permanently lubricated internal bearing and low breakaway pressure, making it ideal for applications with limited load and bending moment requirements. The Solid Bearing (S) design features increased bending moment capacity with a large carrier mounting pattern for more load security and a large bearing surface contact area, which minimizes pressure on bearing surfaces for long service life. The Profiled Rail (P) design features the highest load and bending moment capabilities in a low profile design. This system incorporates high precision, THK® Caged Ball® bearings with smooth, low breakaway motion, reducing friction for reliable service life.

MXP additionally offers upgraded reed and solid-state style switches featuring brightly colored LED signal indicators. Both switches provide red or yellow LED signal indicators, while solid-state switches feature an additional green LED to signal power activation. The switches are CE rated and RoHS compliant, and they are flush mounted for drop-in actuator installation. MXP also includes internal magnets to support sensors and switches.

www.tolomatic.com

::Design World::

Linear Actuators from Haydon

Waterbury,CT – Haydon Switch & Instrument, Inc. is proud to announce that its size 14 hybrid linear actuators are now available with an integrated connector.

Offered alone or with a harness assembly, this connector is RoHS compliant and features a positive latch in order for high connection integrity. The connector is rated up to 3 amps and the mating connector will handle a range of wire gauges from 22 to 28. This motor is ideal for those that want to plug in directly to pre existing harnesses. Available in three designs, captive, non-captive, and external linear, these size 14 hybrid linear actuators are available in a wide variety of resolutions ranging from 0.00012″ (.003048 mm) per step to 0.00192″ (.048768 mm) per step and deliver thrusts of up to 50 lbs. without compromising long life and cost. These hybrid linear actuators can be micro stepped for even finer resolutions.

Applications requiring precise positioning and rapid motion are best suited for this motor. Priced competitively, this product is ideal for drop-in replacements to improve performance and life or for incorporation into your next project. In addition to standard configurations, Haydon can custom design this motor to meet your specific application requirements.

www.hsi-inc.com

::Design World::

Three New Body Sizes for Tolomatic’s MXE Actuators

Hamel, MN—Tolomatic announces the introduction of three new body sizes to its MXE Series of rodless screw drive electric actuators.  MXE now solves a wider variety of applications with its expanded product line and enhanced capabilities. All 12 MXE models offer a clean new look with load carrying flexibility. The recent introduction of this electric actuator expands Tolomatic’s MX’s rodless platform to encompass 30 products—all designed with Tolomatic’s exclusive ENDURANCE TECHNOLOGY? features for maximum durability. MXE also combines multiple screw technologies and increased load capacities to deliver the most flexible, reliable electric actuator in the industry.

The addition of these 3 new sizes brings the MXE size offerings to 6, providing greater load capability, ranging from 35 lbf to 2,583 lbf for Fz loads, and increased moment loads. Plus, MXE delivers excellent high load stability and offers low carrier height to reduce overall actuator envelope. MXE’s magnetically retained stainless steel bands are durable, corrosion resistant and flexible to deliver long-lasting operation, without elongating like elastomer (non-metallic) bands. By providing a reliable seal over the life of the actuator, these bands protect internal components from contamination to increase uptime and reduce maintenance. MXE is also available in inch and metric styles, and it features internal magnets to support sensors and switches.

MXE is available in two rugged, durable bearing options. The trapezoidal Solid Bearing (S) design reduces stress concentration by 59%, optimizing stress distribution for high performance. With the Profiled Rail (P) design, MXE uses THK® Caged Ball® technology to reduce friction and extend actuator life. MXE also offers reverse parallel or in-line motor mounting configurations, and all in-line mounting selections are supported by Tolomatic’s popular Your Motor Here™ program, an easy-to-use online database that checks in-line motor-to-actuator mounting compatibility. In addition, the mounting hardware is provided free of charge, and Tolomatic will mount the hardware to an MXE actuator and ship it in five days or less.

With MXE, customers can also select from a choice of five solid nut screw designs, composed of engineered resin for quiet and affordable performance, or from three ball nut screws, which deliver positioning accuracy and repeatability for longer life with low-backlash. Plus, MXE features upgraded reed and solid-state style switches, which are both CE rated and RoHS compliant. Switches are flush mounted for drop-in installation. In addition, both switches feature red or yellow LED signal indicators, and solid-state switches also feature an additional green LED to signal power activation.

www.tolomatic.com

::Design World::

Buy vs. Build? The Choice is Easier.

Chris Blaszczyk is the Manager of Product Development, Automation Components Div., Misumi USA, Inc.

You have choices on how to precisely move a load in a single axis: actuators, linear guides, slides, stages, or tables will all handle the required motion.  To control their function, you may choose among hydraulics, electromechanics, electromagnetics, or other means. And when you use these units as part of a machine, or as part of a piece of equipment, assembly line, or testing device, it’s your choice as to whether to buy or build.

Your decision rests on several factors, as there are specific attributes required of these single-axis devices.  They must provide precisely controlled fast motion, while remaining as friction-free as possible, and encounter a minimum of mechanical wear. They must also deliver reliable and repeatable positioning.  Today’s linear motion devices let you control the motions more precisely. Plus, newer construction materials better suit the particular needs of various industries. 

Dozens of manufacturers offer single axis motion systems in a variety of sizes, styles, and material construction. Several of the most common types of motorized linear actuators are:
• Ball screw driven and ball guided units that handle high thrust, heavy load, precise positioning, and stiffness requirements.
• Ball screw driven and single guided units that are low in cost yet suited for harsh operating environments where contaminants are present.
• Belt driven and ball guided units that offer a long use life and smooth operation, plus high speeds, acceleration, and accommodation of medium payloads.
• Belt driven and slide guided units that require little maintenance but offer high-speed, plus smooth, quiet operation under acceleration.

Various styles of linear motion devices are available today.  The decision to make or buy one of these devices hinges on many factors, including the availability of standard or custom product,
the quantities required for the application, the ability of the engineering talent to design and build.

Applications in automotive, appliance, packaging, medical, semiconductor, general assembly and test, and factory automation industries all take different factors into account to select the right operating mode, construction material, performance features, as well as conditions involving ambient noise.  Costs are affected by the availability of standard or easily customized product, the quantities required for the application, the ability of the resident engineering talent to design and build, plus the immediacy of need.  

The build choice
The decision to build will typically depend on whether you can find an already built unit to suit your application needs. Industries such as medical and semiconductor, where the unit will function in a clean room or other controlled environment, will mandate the use of certain construction grade materials, which may or may not be readily available from traditional component manufacturers.  Here, the typical choice would be to build the single-axis unit.

You may find units that meet special material needs, but they may not offer the necessary force, load, travel distances, resolution, deflection, and other mechanical specifications.  Other features may be difficult to find as well.  These features would include, but not be limited to, the correct size, speed, accuracy, stroke and load-bearing ranges, as well as the finish and lubricant compatibility for certain industries such as food, medical, and semiconductor where particulate migration is a concern. 

A purchased unit will often require some minimal design costs.  Many companies offer an online configurator that lets you make minor changes for a small fee.

Regardless of the operational mode selected, the choice to build involves calculating the forces, loads, and tolerance build-up for each component.  Furthermore, you must calculate the use life of each component, the fit, the function, the durability and the maintenance requirements of each component. 

The choice to buy
With a purchased unit, the size, speed, accuracy, positioning repeatability, load, stroke and other feature information are sometimes available at the unit level but not at the component level.  Even so, this information can shorten evaluation time.  With the decision to build, you often must spend time investigating whether available standard components will properly fit together.  A decision to purchase removes this task, saving configuration time. 

You must still consider the overall durability of the unit, its lifespan in the particular application, maintenance requirements, and availability. These questions can usually be answered quickly, either by catalog documentation online or, through a phone call to a knowledgeable applications engineer.  You must still choose the correct size, speed, accuracy, load, stroke, and motor compatibility for the job. 

Suppliers will typically have native CAD files ready to download in various formats to suit your platform. Some will offer an online configuration option that lets you select modifications, often without surcharge, to the standard catalog items. 

Thus, you can contain cost, save substantial time, and eliminate outside machining or in-house shop utilization to make modifications before final assembly into the end product or manufacturing operation.

What’s the cost?
Pricing is always a consideration, whether building semiconductors or screwdrivers. The decision to build versus buy takes pricing into account, but in different ways. 

When pricing the build of a linear motion unit, there’s the obvious expense of buying individual components separately from various vendors, with the attendant paperwork.  To build a single-axis, motor-driven, ball screw actuator with 340 mm base length, 150 mm table width and 12 mm lead screw diameter that will handle a vertical load of about 140 kg, you’ll need a number of components.  These components include the ball screw, the guide, support units, table, brackets, and machined aluminum base.  Each of these parts will cost approximately $100 to more than $400, based on today’s online published prices.  On average, it can cost you a total of more than $2000 to build your unit.

Buying a unit, especially one configured online, is simpler.  In many cases, all you need to do is choose the most cost-effective solution.  With reputable suppliers, maintenance tasks and purchase costs are generally lower, which can ease budgeting.

A purchased unit will often require some minimal design costs. However, once specifications are entered into an online configurator and you’ve found a suitable CAD file, the procurement process is simple. You will be working with one vendor, one price, one purchase order, and one part number.

In terms of the time required, bear in mind that the build route requires multiple lead times from multiple vendors.  Additionally, there’s the internal engineering time for component selection, an assembly drawing, component drawings, order placement, shipping, assembly into production, and inspection.  Such a project can typically take several weeks up to several months, depending on the complexity of the chosen components. 

Buying, on the other hand, gives you a predictable delivery schedule, which gives you greater control to manage the machine build time.  Check, however, to be sure your chosen supplier does not have a large back-order log, which could delay the delivery of your unit.
The decision to build or buy requires an honest assessment of the resident engineering and machine shop resources at your company.  In many cases and in most industries, the available products from vendors will save you time and cost, and be a reliable alternative for your linear motion requirements.

Misumi USA Inc.
www.misumiusa.com

:: Design World ::

Exlar Linear Actuators

Chanhassen, MN  – Exlar linear actuators now have a built-inforce measuring option.

Exlar is extending the capabilities of its high torque, long life Exlar GSX and I Series of electromechanical linear actuators with the introduction of an integral force measuring option. Force measuring is achieved by means of a load cell embedded within the actuator. This option offers a direct method for obtaining electronic data relating to the force being applied by the actuator. The
strain gauge load sensor is mounted inside the actuator’s case in a compact and protected robust design.

The integrated load cell option is available on Exlar’s GSX30, 40, 50 and 60 models, and the I Series 30 and 40 model actuators. The load cell is a strain gauge type, offering stable and accurate load sensing (+/- 1% linearity, +/- 0.5% repeatability and hysteresis) in compression and optionally tension, and for static or dynamic loads.

The force measuring option is provided with a separate connector for interfacing the internal load sensor to an external strain gauge conditioner/amplifier required to excite the strain gauge sensor. In addition, Exlar offers strain gauge conditioners to provide a high level signal, either 0-10V or 4-20mA output, for monitoring of the output signal, which are compatible with most standard PLC
analog input cards and signal conversion modules. Alternatively, any one of numerous PLC strain gauge input cards or separate strain gauge conditioners/amplifiers on the market can be used.

The GSX and I Series actuators in which the force measuring option is available both employ Exlar’s planetary roller screw technology. For the last 18-years, this has been the integral component in creating the most reliable, long lasting electro-mechanical actuators on the market, providing a long-life, all-electric replacement for hydraulic cylinders in thousands of applications world-wide.

The GSX actuators also benefit from Exlar’s T-LAM™ technology, a segmented lamination stator design that enables 35% more continuous motor torque to be provided from the same frame sizes as competitive products, with no cost premium.

The brushless servo design of the GSX series linear actuators allows them to be used in state-of the art closed loop servo systems where electronic control of positioning and velocity is required.

The robustness, precision and reliability of the GSX and I series actuators mean that they are suitable for use in many demanding applications including, fastening and joining riveting, bag sealing, thermoforming, injection molding, precision pressing, clamping, tension control, welding, tube bending, wire winding, dispensing, testing, filling – and many more.

www.exlar.com

::Design World::

LINAK’s LA35 Electric Linear Actuator

LINAK introduces the latest addition to its product family, the LA35 electric linear actuator.

The LA35 is a robust actuator with over 1,300lbs (6,000N) force in push, high ingress protection IP66 (dynamic)/IP69K (static) and superior corrosion resistant materials. It is ideal for “off-highway” and outdoor environments where an actuator that can withstand the elements and rough conditions is necessary.

In addition to the impressive strength and high ingress protection, the LA35 offers several unique electronic features as standard options.

The key innovation of the LA35 is the integration of electronics in the actuator. By mounting the electronics inside the actuator the control design is simplified and installation time reduced which provides a lower total cost solution to controlling the actuator.

Digital or analog positioning feedback, current sensing and current switching via H-bridge are examples of some of the electronic features that can be provided inside the actuator housing.

The internal electronics can give benefits like eliminating external potentiometers. This feature can also eliminate the need for the manufacturer to provide power switching (H-bridge) since this function can be accomplished inside the actuator. Safety for both the actuator and the application can be increased by using the current sensing features which can interrupt power to the motor should a blockage be encountered.

As well as integrated electronics, the LA35 offers further features including:

- 12V or 24V DC motor options
- Built-in limit switches at end of stroke
- Non-contact potentiometer for increase positioning reliability
- Optional potential free signal switch at end of stroke

www.techline.linak.com

::Design World::

Cantilever Linear Actuator EGSA from Festo

The ball screw driven cantilever actuator EGSA from Festo Corporation reduces cycle times to the absolute minimum. High performance mechanical components and a wide choice of motors ensure the perfect answer to the needs of any application.
The strengths of the EGSA are in its short strokes. It offers a repetition accuracy of +/-0.01mm.

The EGSA is available as a complete solution with a motor and controller or simply as an individual component adapted to third-party motors. Suitable motor mounting kits for axial or reverse parallel motor configurations are available options. The EGSA can be integrated into Festo modular multi-axis systems.

Design Features:

     • Sizes: 50, 60
     • Stroke Lengths: 100, 200, 300
     • Max Working Load: 6 kg

     • Maximum Speed: 1.5 m/s

     • Repeatability: +/- 0.01mm

www.festo.com/us/egsa

::Design World::

Model SKR Caged Ball LM Guide Actuator

The SKR-type LM guide actuator with Caged Ball Technology is a compact actuator that places a nut block(s) that integrates an LM block and ball screw nut onto the inside of the LM rail of a U-shaped cross-sectional form.

Moreover, the addition of the LM guide and ball screw sections with Caged Ball Technology allows the SKR-type LM guide actuator to achieve higher speed, lower noise, longer maintenance-free operation, and other features in comparison with the conventional KR-type.

Features of the Model SKR:

Four-way Equal Load Rating
Each
row of balls is arranged at a contact angle of 45° so that loads acting
on the nut block in the four directions (radial, reverse-radial, and
two lateral directions) show the same rated load. Thus, the SKR-type LM
guide actuators can be used in any position.

High Rigidity
The adoption of the LM rail of a U-shaped cross-sectional form allows improved rigidity against moment.

High Precision

The
linear motion guide raceway has four rows of circular arc grooves that
provide smooth motion by mere pre-load; clearance-free, highly rigid
guidance is obtained. In addition, changes in frictional resistance
resulting from load variations are minimized, allowing the SKR-type to
achieve high-precision feed.

Space Saving

The
integration of a LM guide raceway on both side faces of a nut block and
the integration of a ball screw nut at the center of the nut block
allow the SKR-type to achieve high rigidity and high precision in a
minimal space.

Long Life Span and Long-term Maintenance-free Operation

Thanks
to the effectiveness of its ball retainers, the SKR has improved grease
retention capability, allowing it to achieve a long life span and
long-term maintenance-free operation. The SKR achieves a longer life
span because its basic dynamic rated load at the LM guide and ball
screw sections is greater than that of the conventional KR models (in
the case of the KR3310, three times greater). The rated life span can
be calculated by the following equation.

High Speed

Through
the use of Caged Ball Technology, the SKR-type is compatible with the
latest high-speed rotational AC servo-motors (6000 min-1), achieving
higher speeds than the conventional KR-type. The ball screw lead
settings of the conventional KR33 type were 6 mm and 10 mm. To achieve
a higher feed rate, a 20 mm ball screw lead has been added to the new
SKR 33 series.

Excellent Sliding Capability

Caged
Ball Technology also helps the SKR-type eliminate ball-to-ball
friction, significantly improving the torque characteristics. It
minimizes torque variations, allowing excellent sliding capability.

Low Noise

The
use of Caged Ball Technology in the LM guide and ball screw allows the
SKR-type to eliminate the noise caused by the balls colliding. This
lets the SKR-type achieve low noise emission and a pleasing sound
quality.

www.thk.com/us/

::Design World::

Linear Actuators from Pacific Bearing Company

Rockford, IL - Pacific Bearing Company announces its new line of linear actuators for easy, accurate, and high speed linear motion. With three different styles available, each actuator provides smooth and quiet linear guidance for a wide range of applications. Styles feature ball screw, lead screw, or belt drive options with each individual actuator having its own strengths and predisposition for certain applications.

PBC’s new actuator line consists of the PL™, MT™, and MX™ series actuators. With each line of actuators aligned to fit different applications, the PL series is a low cost, highly accurate, easily mountable way to achieve linear motion applications. The MT actuators are available in different drive configurations, (including a vertical configuration) and sizes as well. The MX series’ robust design allows for high load capacity travel at high speeds. All three styles work in a multitude of environments, carry t- slots which allow for easy mounting, and are highly dependable.

These new linear actuators make up one of the seven new product categories recently introduced by PBC in order to provide a way for repeatable, accurate, and versatile linear motion. As development on these products continues, PBC will be introducing future options; such as offering the new Integral V technology in the PL and MT series actuators to ensure smooth and accurate travel.

www.pacific-bearing.com

::Design World::

Actuator Solutions for Solar Tracker Movement

A solar tracking system is a device for orienting a solar panel, or concentrating a solar reflector or lens, towards the sun. To keep up with other green energies, the solar cell market has to be as efficient as possible, and there are two main ways to make the solar cells more efficient, one is to develop the solar cell material and another way is to optimize the output by installing the solar panels on a tracking base that follows the sun.

In either a single or dual axis tracking systems, LINAK solutions can help increase the output of PV panels up to 40% when compared to fixed mount systems.

The quality and maintenance-free design of LINAK products ensures reduced costs over the long life of the product. The lifetime of the actuators is increased due to the high ingress protection rating, up to IP69, to withstand extreme heat, cold, dust, moisture and UV exposure that might be common in a solar energy application.

In addition, though standard solutions are offered, LINAK excels in creating customized solutions to meet the needs of the customer; from specific load or feedback requirements to integrating electronics inside the actuator.

www.solar-tracking.com

::Design World::