In demanding industries like food, beverage and pharmaceutical manufacturing, it’s not enough for automated systems to boost output and efficiency. They must also provide precision and cleanliness. And when it comes to motion components like linear actuators, the type of actuator you choose for your design will go a long way to ensuring your system does not create waste or contaminate food materials, which can otherwise compromise safety or result in recalls. This blog post will explain why electric actuators — or E-actuators — are an ideal choice for automated systems in controlled environments.

When your automated food or pharmaceutical equipment design calls for a linear actuator, E-actuators offer distinct advantages versus pneumatic and hydraulic components. They include:

• Cleanliness. Hydraulic actuators can leak fluids or oils to potentially contaminate sensitive equipment or the food products, and pneumatic cylinders require compressed air systems that can be a breeding ground for bacteria when wet or damp.
• High accuracy. Actuators that leverage electric driving technology with integrated encoders offer precise, repeatable motion with exceptional controllability — even in applications with complex motion needs — and without imprecision that may occur with fluctuating air pressure.
• Less infrastructure. Pneumatic and hydraulic actuators require various additional components to provide either a steady supply of compressed air or fluids, respectively.
• Low maintenance. Hydraulic fluids need changing, and the associated components must be inspected and monitored. Similarly, water must be removed from compressed air systems. In contrast, E-actuators require very little maintenance.
• Energy efficiency. E-actuators do not involve energy-consuming pressurized fluids. And, unlike pneumatic actuators, they avoid losing energy as heat, which occurs during air compression.
• Safety. E-actuators do not require hydraulic fluid that can catch fire, making them a safer option.

An Ideal E-Actuator for Hygienic Applications

Automationware’s Mech Series is one example of an E-actuator that can be effectively applied in hygienic applications. The series uses sphere recirculation screw technology and electronic driving systems with encoders, providing controllable motion down to just ±0.01 millimeter accuracy. The units are also offered with integrated brushless motors or high-speed stepper motors as options. Mech Series actuators come in three versions: Mech Value ball screw electric cylinders, and Mech Force and Mech Plus for high dynamic load handling in a compact size.

Precise, Clean and Reliable Linear Motion

Reliable linear E-actuators are critical to the performance and availability of automated machines that make up food, beverage and pharmaceutical production operations. Automationware Mech Series linear actuators not only offer reliability and cleanliness, they also give you the precision, repeatable control and programmability that these applications require so you can meet your productivity and longevity goals.

IKO is the U.S. distribution partner for AutomationWare. You can download our brochure on Mech Series E-actuators at www.automationwareusa.com, or contact IKO at ikoaw_usa@ikonet.co.jp for more information.

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