If your packaging, assembly, food or pharmaceutical machine design demands fast and accurate linear motion within a small design footprint, selecting suitable components that can also fit into tight spaces can be challenging. For example, pick and place machines cannot occupy too much floor space in an assembly line but must still perform complex tasks at higher speeds. Finding an effective unit in a small size can be difficult and time consuming. This blog post will introduce you to an electric actuator that provides an attractive balance of performance and space savings.

Electric Actuator Benefits Include Space Savings

Because space is at a premium in many demanding industries, we have responded with Mech Value electric actuators in sizes 16, 25 and 32. Electric actuators offer a long list of advantages such as:

• Accuracy and controllability. Electric driving technology, integrated encoders and software ensure precise, repeatable motion with ±0.02-millimeter accuracy.
• Space savings. Electric actuators require fewer external components, reducing space requirements and system weight.
• Clean and safe. Since electric units cannot disperse or leak contaminants, they are typically safe for use in food, pharmaceutical and electronics applications.
• Fire safety. Hydraulic fluids are typically petroleum based, making them a potential fire source — especially if the hydraulic systems suffer damage under high pressures. Electric actuators do not involve flammable fluids, thereby lowering the risk of fires.
• Low maintenance. Electric actuators are designed for long life and have few moving parts, allowing them to operate reliably with little to no maintenance.

A high-speed stepper motor and a ball screw transmission system are at the core of our size 16, 25 and 32 Mech Value electric actuators, delivering exceptional force, acceleration and rigidity. Ball screw technology is particularly desirable for applications requiring high duty cycles and a long, reliable service life. The cylinders come with either a standard stepper motor with integrated feedback encoder or a sensorless stepper motor, which leverages motor control parameters to detect the correct position and saves space that is otherwise taken by an encoder. In addition, the cylinder profiles can incorporate AwareVu technology to detect unusual vibrations or excessive temperature variations and upload this data to the network via USB or WiFi. Operators are alerted to breaches of user-defined thresholds with a local light alarm and by the accompanying AwareVu mobile app. Specifications include:

• Maximum motor speed: 3,000 rpm
• Accuracy: ±0.02 millimeter
• Flange size: 30 millimeters (size 16), 32 millimeters (size 25) and 47 millimeters (size 32)
• Maximum axial force: 325-50N (size 16), 833-105N (size 25) and 1700-250N (size 32)

Innovative Technology Delivers Accurate, Repeatable Motion

Small-size actuators that provide accurate, repeatable linear motion are critical in demanding pick and place, assembly and pharmaceutical machinery. With Automationware’s Mech Value size 16, 25 and 32 cylinders, you can satisfy these goals while making the best use of all available space thanks to the use of ball screw technology and innovative sensorless stepper motors.

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