Actuators and Solenoids | Engineering Consulting

An actuator is a device that transforms energy and signals into the system to produce motion. It can generate either rotational or linear motion.

An actuator is a device that transforms energy and signals into the system to produce motion. It can generate either rotational or linear motion. As the name suggests, linear actuators generate linear motion. This means that linear actuators have a fixed forward or backward travel distance on a linear plane before they must come to a stop.

On the other side, rotary actuators generate rotary motion, which involves the actuator rotating on a circular plane.

The rotary actuator can continue rotating in the same direction for as long as necessary because, unlike the linear actuator, it is not constrained by a predetermined route.

Depending on the power source, linear or rotary actuators are available in a variety of configurations. The actuator may be hydraulic, pneumatic, or electrical. These versions differ significantly in a few key ways (listed in the table below).

The application and requirements particular to the industry will most likely determine the type of actuator that is employed. For instance, electrical actuators would be the obvious choice for the Biotech sector.

SimuTech Group Actuators and Solenoids Consulting engineers supports companies with electrical linear actuator design and production. Contact our staff right away to learn more about how electrical actuators are essential to daily operations.

An actuator is a motor that transforms energy into torque and uses that torque to move or regulate a mechanism or system into which it has been integrated. Both causing and stopping motion are possible with it. Typically, an actuator is powered by electricity or pressure (such as hydraulic or pneumatic).

What powers motors?   In short, the assemblies of the rotor and stator. These are what are referred to as the motor’s primary and secondary windings. When voltage is delivered to the stator assembly, also known as the primary winding, current is forced to flow to the rotor assembly, also known as the secondary winding. These two interact to produce a magnetic field that causes motion.

The frequency of the voltage applied and the quantity of magnetic poles influence the speed of an AC motor. The rotor assembly and stator assembly are both parts of the AC motor. The rotor rotates more slowly than the field of the stator if the AC motor is an induction motor. The rotor and stator move simultaneously if the motor is synchronous.

In DC motors, the commutator prevents the rotor assembly from rotating in an attempt to align itself with the stator assembly. The stator assembly is stationary while the commutator switches the rotor field at the exact same time. This gives the ability to regulate location and pace.

Pneumatic motors are air-driven devices that generate linear or rotary motion from energy using either compressed air or a vacuum. Speed and torque are both governed by air pressure and flow. These are employed in situations where positional accuracy is not necessary.

By employing pressurized fluid, hydraulic motors drive a piston through a tube. The torque produced increases with increasing fluid pressure. Acceleration is constrained by hydraulic motors, which produce linear, rotational, or oscillatory motion. Inefficient hydraulic motors can cause fires and need more frequent maintenance than other types of motors.

When a load is coupled with a continuously rotating shaft, a clutch/brake motor starts and only stops when the load is released. It is essential to find a motor that is simple to use, malleable for engineering design, and excellent for modest loads.   As it currently stands, acceleration and control within the space is limited, and often imprecise.

Electromechanical stepper motors (DC motors) transform a digital pulse into rotational motion or displacement. Stepper motors are excellent for constant loads and positional accuracy, but they are often not energy efficient and are not effective for variable loads.

AC Electric starters are used by motors of the induction type to provide connections, startup, and/or overload protection. Although induction motors are more frequently thought of as having constant speeds, the advent of microprocessor technology has some potential for changing speeds.

Servo motors (DC motors) are incredibly powerful machines with few flaws. Due to their feedback device, servos offer speed control and position accuracy, are compact, and are reasonably priced.

Again, there are various actuator kinds, and each one performs somewhat differently from the others depending on the situation.

Manufacturing plants employ them in material handling. Examples of this include up-and-down moving cutting tools and raw material flow control valves. In order to move in a straight path, both inside and outside of the manufacturing sector, robots and robotic arms require linear actuator systems.

Sometimes, in order to explain what an actuator performs, the process is compared to how a human body works. Actuators work in a machine to carry out a mechanical action, much like muscles in a body that enable energy to be transformed into some type of motion, such the movement of arms or legs.  SimuTech Group Actuators and Solenoids Consulting engineers can help your business to optimize the mechanization process.

An actuator is, to put it simply, a tool that transforms energy—electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, etc.—into mechanical motion that can be controlled. The type of energy to be converted, as well as the purpose of the actuator, determine the amount and character of input. For example, electric and piezoelectric actuators require an electric current or voltage input, whereas air or an incompressible liquid is required for hydraulic and pneumatic actuators, respectively. Always, mechanical energy is produced.

Actuators, unlike artificial intelligence and machine learning, do not frequently appear in the media. But in actuality, it is quite important in the modern society.

They are present in smaller applications as well. Actuators are essential home furnishings that enable you to build up consoles or cabinets that can open with the push of a button and could house televisions. They can also be found in TV and table lifts, which users can control at their convenience using electric switches or buttons.

Would you like to watch TV in a recliner? Most likely, it also features a moveable head or footrest that works with an actuator. Actuators are also necessary for home automation systems that can naturally close window shades in response to the amount of inbound light. Their applications are essentially limitless because they are necessary for any mechanical movement, and most gadgets involve some sort of mechanical movement.

SimuTech Group Actuators and Solenoids Consulting engineers can aid in optimizing linear actuation at each the process, component, and product level.

Actuators, as we have already seen, have several uses in a variety of industries. This does not imply, however, that all actuators are created equal. You ought to be able to identify the actuator that best meets your needs before making a purchase. Here is a detailed advice on how to pick the ideal actuator for your requirements.

• Step 1: Determine the necessary movement
  Do you need to move an object in your project in a linear or rotating manner? While rotary actuators produce circular motion, linear actuators are effective for applying a mechanical force that would move an object in a straight line.

 

• Step 2: Take into account the energy input

Electrical actuators are gaining popularity as a result of their growing sophistication.  In addition, criteria such as how adaptable in handling distinct procedures is gaining importance in the sector. But that does not imply that it is appropriate for all works available. If your task does not require electrical voltage input, think about hydraulic or pneumatic actuators.

 

• Step 3: Determine the needed level of precision
  Some actuators are best suited for demanding tasks in challenging conditions, but they could struggle with smaller tasks like packaging that demand accuracy and the capacity to repeat the same action hundreds or thousands of times.

 

• Step 4: Determine how much force you require
  An actuator’s job is to move or elevate an object. Find out how much this thing weighs in your situation. How much an actuator can lift depends on its load capacity.  And while numerous actuators may have a similar appearance, their load capacities will differ. Make sure the weight of your product matches the actuator’s capability before you purchase one.

 

• Step 5: Find out how far you need to move the object

Distance, or stroke length as it is formally known, is important in this situation. The amount that your object can be moved depends on the stroke length. Actuators with different stroke lengths are frequently sold by manufacturers.

 

• Step 6: Determine the desired movement speed
  Depending on the project, the actuator’s speed is frequently a crucial consideration for most individuals. Projects that demand high force output from actuators typically progress more slowly than ones that produce little force.  Distance per second is the unit used to express an actuator’s speed.

 

• Step 7: Take into account the working environment

Does the actuator need to operate in a harsh environment where humidity or dust are a concern? In this situation, picking a product with a greater protection rating might be a good idea.

• Step 8: Select the mounting type

Actuators are available in a variety of mounting options, therefore before purchasing an actuator, it is important to understand their advantages. A linear electric actuator, for instance, can pivot on both sides while extending and retracting thanks to a dual-pivot attachment mechanism. This allows the program to move along a fixed path with two free pivot points.

On the other hand, motions like pressing a button benefit from stationary mounting, which fastens the actuator to a piece of equipment along the shaft. You ought to be able to reduce your selections at this point to a much smaller pool than when you first started.

You’ll need to focus even more on this point forward. For instance, there are various types of linear actuators available for various functions. The most popular and straightforward of them, the rod-style, has a shaft that expands and retracts.

When space is a concern, a track design that maintains its overall length or size throughout operation is preferable. It would be excellent to set up TV and table lifts using column lifts and other actuators.  Considerations like operating voltage and motor type may also be important.

Actuators and Solenoid Design Support

SimuTech Group Actuators and Solenoids Consulting engineers actively support businesses with electrical linear actuator design and production. Contact our staff right away to learn more how electrical actuator optimization can mitigate daily operating expenses (systems) and maximize product-oriented ROI (commodity).