Speed Meets Precision: Incorporating High Speed Linear Actuators in Automated Equipment
High speed linear actuators are improving productivity in industrial automation applications by offering rapid movement without sacrificing precision servo control. However, finding the correct high speed linear actuator while balancing other performance factors can be a challenge. This article will address some of the common questions we hear regarding high speed linear actuators.
High speed linear actuators are improving productivity in industrial automation applications by offering rapid movement without sacrificing precision servo control. However, finding the correct high speed linear actuator while balancing other performance factors can be a challenge. This article will address some of the common questions we hear regarding high speed linear actuators.
What qualifies a linear actuator as “high speed”?
While there aren’t specific industry standards that define “high speed” pertaining to linear actuators, several hundred mm/s would be considered high speed. However, speed is not the only consideration in most applications. There are other factors including the force required, stroke length, and degree of precision control needed. These factors involve tradeoffs, for example, higher forces are generally at the expense of higher speeds. High speeds require servo control of inertia and acceleration / deceleration profiles to achieve the degree of precision control needed. Of course, cost is another factor that impacts the type of actuator chosen to achieve the application requirements.
Hydraulic actuators vs. electric actuators vs. electric hydraulic actuators – which is best?
Like most things, the answer is… it depends. There are several actuation technologies to consider for high speed linear actuator applications. Pneumatic cylinders are fast and are used extensively in automated machines, however they are limited to producing very low forces and are challenging to precisely control. Hydraulic actuators connect to large hydraulic power units using high horsepower motors that can achieve both high force and high speed. Precise control of these systems is more challenging however as they involve expensive servo valves, instrumentation and require extensive maintenance to prevent unplanned downtime.
Electric actuators aka electro-mechanical actuators (EMA) use a ball screw or roller screw connected to a servo motor and gearbox. They can produce high speeds and can be precisely controlled however they have limitations on how much force they can produce without being prohibitively expensive.
There are many advantages and disadvantages associated with hydraulic actuators and electric actuators. Our blog article “Hydraulic and Electric Actuation Systems Comparison" explores these characteristics in more depth.
Electric hydraulic actuators aka electro-hydraulic actuators are essentially a hybrid combination of a totally sealed hydraulic cylinder with a servo motor driven pump that produces the speed and precise control of an EMA but at far higher forces similar to that of an HPU-driven hydraulic cylinder.
Kyntronics’ SMART electro-hydraulic actuator (SHA) is an all-electric actuation system that incorporates high-precision servo linear actuator control coupled with an integral pump and hydraulic cylinder. The SHA uses a minimal amount of fluid, similar to the amount of lubrication used in a typical screw-type actuator or mechanical gearbox. The system is fully sealed, eliminating the risk of leaks like those that occur with hydraulic actuators and HPUs. This makes the product safer and reduces downtime.
Combining High Speed with High Force - Kyntronics’ H-Series - High Speed/High Force Actuation System
Certain applications such as presses that have longer strokes due to tooling clearance require high speed actuation for productivity while providing high force actuation during the power stroke portion of the cycle and must achieve precise, repeatable quality and documentation of results.
In response to these requirements, Kyntronics developed the H-series; high speed/high force actuation system. The H-series incorporates all the features of our standard SHA product with the addition of a dual cylinder system. One cylinder provides the high speed portion of the cycle and the other, the high force portion.
Our H-series actuators are known for their exceptional performance, reliability, and are an ideal choice for applications such as pressing for industries seeking to enhance their automation capabilities. Like our other products, the H-Series offers precise control of position, speed, and force, in an all-in-one sealed system with no leaks and high shock load tolerance for minimal maintenance.
