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Linear Actuators: what they're and the way to decide on them
A linear actuator is a self-supporting structural system capable of transforming a circular motion generated by a motor right into a linear motion along an axis. Serving to to produce movements such because the pushing, pulling, raising, lowering or inclination of a load.
The most typical use of actuators includes combining them with multi-axis Cartesian robot systems or using them as integral components of machines.
The main sectors:
industrial automation
servos and pick-and-place systems in production processes
assembly
packaging and palletisation
Indeed, just think of applications resembling plane, laser or plasma cutting machines, the loading and unloading of machined items, feeding machining centres in a production line, or moving an industrial anthropomorphic robot alongside an additional external axis in order to broaden its range of action.
All of those applications use one or more linear actuators. In keeping with the type of application and the efficiency that it must guarantee in terms of precision, load capacity and pace, there are numerous types of actuators to choose from, and it is typically the type of motion transmission that makes the difference.
There are three main types of motion transmission:
belt
rack and pinion
screw
How can you make sure that you select the precise actuator? What variables does an industrial designer tackling a new application need to take into consideration?
As is commonly the case when talking about linear motion solutions, the essential thing is to consider the issue from the suitable viewpoint – namely the application and, above all, the results and efficiency you are expecting. As such, it is price starting by considering the dynamics, stroke length and precision required.
Let’s look at these in detail.
High Dynamics
In lots of areas of commercial design, reminiscent of packaging, for instance, the calls for made of the designer very often need to do with velocity and reducing cycle times.
It is no surprise, then, that high dynamics are commonly the starting point when defining a solution.
Belt drives are sometimes the ideal solution when it involves high dynamics, considering that:
they allow for accelerations of as much as 50 m/s2 and speeds of as much as 5 m/s on strokes of as long as 10-12m
an X-Y-Z portal with belt-pushed axes is typically capable of dealing with loads ranging from extraordinarily small to approximately 200kg
in line with the type of lubrication, these systems can provide particularly long maintenance intervals, thus ensuring continuity of production.
Wherever high dynamics are required on strokes longer than 10-12m, actuators with rack and pinion drives are usually a wonderful solution, as they allow for accelerations of as much as 10 m/s2 and speeds of as much as 3.5 m/s on doubtlessly infinite strokes.
The choice of a unique type of actuator wouldn't guarantee the same results: a screw system, which is undoubtedly a lot more exact, would definitely be too slow and wouldn't be able to deal with such long strokes.
Lengthy Strokes
Systems created by assembling actuators in the typical X-Y-Z configurations of Cartesian robotics typically, in applications similar to pick-and-place and feeding machining centres alongside production lines, have very long strokes, which may even reach dozens of metres in length.
Plus, in many cases, these lengthy strokes – which often contain the Y axis – are tasked with dealing with considerably heavy loads, typically hundreds of kilos, as well as numerous vertical Z axes which operate independently.
In these types of applications, the best choice for the Y axis is certainly an actuator with a rack and pinion drive, considering that:
thanks to the rigidity of the rack and pinion system, they're capable of working along doubtlessly unlimited strokes, all whilst maintaining their rigidity, precision and effectivity
actuators with induction-hardened metal racks with inclined enamel which slide alongside recirculating ball bearing rails or prismatic rails with bearings are capable of handling loads of over 1000kg
the option of putting in a number of carriages, each with its own motor, allows for quite a few impartial vertical Z axes.
A belt system is right for strokes of up to 10-12m, whilst ball screw actuators are limited – in the case of lengthy strokes – by their critical speed.
Positioning Repeatability
If, alternatively, the designer is seeking maximum precision – like in applications such as the meeting of microcomponents or sure types of dealing with in the medical subject, for example – then there may be only one clear choice: linear axes with ball screw drives.
Screw-pushed linear actuators supply the perfect performance from this viewpoint, with a degree of positioning repeatability as high as ±5 μ. This efficiency cannot be matched by either belt-driven or screw-pushed actuators, which each reach a maximum degree of positioning repeatability of ±0.05 mm.
Website: https://www.firgelliauto.com/collections/linear-actuators
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