Avoid the error of purchasing a robot when a straightforward actuator would do. Robots are now the “go-to” instrument for industrial automation, although they are frequently an unnecessary expense. A linear actuator or two is a far better option for many automation jobs.
A single axis of motion
The majority of contemporary robots rotate along five or six axes of motion, each from a joint. This means that although these devices travel in arcs by nature, most of the time you want things to go in a straight line. For a robot, that is challenging since it takes numerous synchronized rotating motions to generate a linear translation.
In many circumstances, an actuator is all that is required to produce motion in a single direction with a single motor. For cheaper than the price of a robot, sophisticated 3-D trajectories can be followed by adding two more actuators and synchronizing their movements. Given the variety of linear actuators available, choosing one requires asking the proper questions.
Given the variety of linear actuators available, choosing one requires asking the proper questions.
Take the task first.
Think about the following inquiries:
The number of axes. To remove a box of a conveyor, only one axis is needed. It takes two people to lift individual packs from a conveyor, translate, and lower them into a box. And It’s frequently possible to decrease even multi-axis motions that are complex. To change orientation, simply modify the respective heights, offer a chute, or let a box pivot.
How far should I move? You need a conveyor at six feet. So A six-inch actuator will do the trick. The length of the stroke is everything.
How swiftly? Think about speed and how you must be able to control your acceleration and slowdown. Fragile components may break or shift out of place as a result of forceful movements.
How much mass needs to be transported? Pushing a pack of baking soda off a conveyor requires more force than pushing a gallon of engine oil.
• Modifiability? Cheap actuators go to their hard stop or the conclusion of their stroke. Others can have their position and speed programmed, allowing for simple reconfiguration.
Choose a Type of Actuator
Once the aforementioned factors are understood, selecting an actuator can begin.
There are three primary types:
• Hydraulic — able to exert very strong forces and have lengthy strokes, but they cannot be programmed. They require a huge power supply and plumbing, and they frequently leak.
• Pneumatic — used frequently in automation since they are inexpensive, but air requires piping and is pricey.
• Electric: small, programmable, simple to install wiring, able to operate at high speeds, with force and accuracy, and with regulated acceleration and deceleration. Moving is the only thing that uses energy.
Due to their greater compactness, electric linear actuator are replacing hydraulic actuators more and more in automation.
Electric actuation is being used more frequently in industrial, ergonomic, medical, and residential settings.
Electric actuation is being used more and more frequently. In industrial, ergonomic, medical, and residential settings.
Linear motors, voice coils, and piezoelectric actuators are more forms of actuators.
Examples of Applications for Electric Actuators
A single actuator can easily change a position or direction, as in the conveyor-diverter example. And Other instances include raising a cover and opening a door to allow something to be dispensed. Positioning can be done by a single actuator with control over the stroke. An illustration would be adjusting the labeling machine’s head for various carton sizes.
With a gantry, many robotic-style tasks can be completed. A gantry can cover a wide area because of its three axes. This kind of construction is perfect for packaging, 3-D printing, and machine loading and unloading. It can also be shrunk.
Currently, electric linear actuators are being created to industrial hydraulic actuators compete with them. And
To compete with hydraulic actuators in the industrial sector, electric linear actuators are currently being developed.
Other actuator applications can involve feeding sheet metal into a press or shaping machine. So the moving a laser height sensor over a box to detect height, or applying a screen print “squeegee” to a silk screen.
