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The Kyntronics Difference

Kyntronics actuator design combines the benefits of both screw-type actuators (EMAs) and hydraulic cylinders while eliminating their shortcomings.

Kyntronics Actuators are…

Energy Efficient– using Power on Demand
Safe and Reliable– No Hoses, No Leaks
Rugged and Durable– Tolerates Shock and Side Loads
Low Maintenance– No Metal-to-Metal Wear
Precise– with Servo Control of Position, Force and Speed
Configurable– Closed System, can be oriented in any direction

Kyntronics actuation systems are available as a “Total Solution” that includes the actuator, motor, controls, programming software and factory support.

Why Kyntronics is the clear actuation choice over alternative technologies

OVERVIEW - HOW OUR ACTUATORS WORK
SUPPORT FROM START TO FINISH & BEYOND
A TOTAL ACTUATION SOLUTION
COMPARISON WITH OTHER ACTUATION TECHNOLOGIES

OVERVIEW – HOW OUR ACTUATORS WORK

Kyntronics actuators incorporate an integral hydraulic cylinder with a minimal amount of fluid (often less than most gearboxes) driven by a bi-directional pump in a totally-sealed system. A simple yet elegant design that changes the paradigm for actuation options.

Design Features:

  • Simple design, uses fluid for power transmission.
  • Only uses power when operating – saves energy.
  • Robust design, no metal-to-metal wear components – extends operating life.
  • Totally sealed system, no hoses, no fluid changes, no filters, no lubrication – minimal maintenance.
  • Scalable from low rated forces (100 lbs.) to 150,000 lbs. with stroke lengths up to 120 inches.
  • Programmable, precise servo control of Position, Force and Speed using standard PID motion control.
  • Total Solution option is available (actuator, motor, drive on a panel, software, fully tested ready to operate).
  • Actuator only option is available using customer preferred motor and drive.
  • Modular design for short lead-times.
  • Field repairable.

SHA Product Design Elements Cut-Away

Flexible Configurations to fit your machine

To learn more about how our actuators work, read our blog How does an Electro-Hydraulic Linear Actuator Work?

Support from Start to Finish & Beyond

Kyntronics Provides Comprehensive Support Throughout Your Project and Beyond

Before Order Placement

  • Sizing the actuator and motor for optimal performance and reliability
  • Provide a motion profile analysis to ensure ideal performance
  • Actuator configuration and machine mounting
  • Controls integration – identifying what is required
  • Provide standard documentation & 3D models

 

After Order Placement

  • Provide production 3D models & electrical schematics for approval
  • Factory test the actuation system and provide final project-specific documentation
  • Initial system tuning at the factory

 


After Shipment / Installation

  • Provide as-shipped documentation including control interface details
  • Provide commissioning support (email or phone)
  • Provide remote Teams support if needed to help optimize the solution to the machine

 

Post Installation Support to Ensure Years of Reliable Operation

  • Support as needed (email or phone)
  • Issue evaluation – corrective action recommendations
  • Repair & diagnostic support as needed

Help yourself to Support Documents 24/7

A Total Actuation Solution

Kyntronics Total Actuation Solution is Fully Factory Tested; Includes the Actuator, Motor, Controls, Programming Software and Factory Support

Reduces integration and commissioning time, eliminating the headaches of actuator, motor & drive sizing, component selection and programming. Integrated HMI is also available with press software solutions.

 

TOTAL SOLUTION CONTROLS TO SIMPLIFY THE INSTALLATION

  • Drive mounted, wired, programmed, and fully tested
  • AC or DC
  • Standard control software (for easy installation)
  • Support & Documentation


Total Solution – Control Panel and HMI Options

PLC / Controller Connectivity with most brands – e.g., ABB, Allen Bradley, Automation Direct, Delta Motion, Mitsubishi, Siemens, Yaskawa and others

Fieldbus Options:

  • CANopen
  • Ethernet TCP/IP
  • Ethernet IP
  • EtherCAT
  • Modbus TCP
  • Modbus RTU
  • Profinet
  • Analog/Digital
  • Other – Consult Factory

 

Ethernet IP Interface: 

  • Implicit Messages
  • Explicit Messages


Actuation Solutions Available

Read more about the Total Actuation Solution, a complete package ready to install.

COMPARISON WITH OTHER ACTUATION TECHNOLOGIES

Electro-Mechanical Screw-Type
Hydraulic Systems
Pneumatic Systems
Air-over-Oil Systems

Electro-Mechanical Screw Type Comparison

Kyntronics Hybrid Linear Actuators (SHAs) incorporate the benefits of electro-mechanical actuation while eliminating their shortcomings. The SHA design features a sealed integral hydraulic cylinder that uses minimal fluid allowing the SHA to withstand high shock loads and provide high speed electric powered actuation with precise control and programmability.

Metal-to-Metal wear with the many components in Roller Screw EMAs result in premature wear and failure risk from shock and side loads
Concentrated loading at the same location on EMA components results in higher Metal-to-Metal fatigue wear and risk of premature failure

Benefits of Electro-Mechanical Screw Type

  • Use Power-on-Demand
  • Large installed base – user familiarity
  • Programmable and controllable
  • Configurable with several Fieldbus options
  • Integrated Motor options

 

Challenges of Electro-Mechanical Screw Type

  • Failures from shock loads, side loads and end-stop crashes
  • Metal-to metal wear reduces operating life creating reliability issues
  • Follow the L10 rating chart (Figure 1) and need to be oversized to increase operating life
  • Become expensive over 5,000lbs. rated force (see Figure 2) and over 36″ stroke length
  • Do not offer integrated force measurement (must add expensive load cells)
  • Rely on motor encoder feedback for position measurement that is affected by backlash
  • Repair costs are expensive with long lead times
  • Have limited Dynamic Ingress Protection (IP) ratings

Kyntronics Advantages

  • Uses Power-on-Demand
  • Absorbs shock loads, side loading and end-stop crashes without damage
  • No metal-to-metal component wear
  • Operating life is load-independent (Figure 1)
  • Available with standard stroke lengths to 120″ without large cost premiums (See Figure 2)
  • Available with rated force options from 100lbs. to 150,000 lbs.
  • Incorporate an optional pressure transducer at the cylinder piston to measure force
  • Directly measure the position at the rod end using a position sensor
  • A “Total Solution” option (actuator, motor, drive, software) is available
  • Actuators are field repairable

Actuator Reliability Comparison

Kyntronics Hybrid Linear Actuator (SHA) vs Electro-Mechanical Ball Screw / Roller Screw Actuator (EMA)

 Ball Screw Actuator

 Roller Screw Actuator

 Kyntronics Hybrid Linear Actuator (SHA)

Electro-Mechanical Actuator (EMA)

  • EMA life span is load dependent. Improving EMA life requires larger and more expensive size screws
  • EMA metal-to-metal wear further decreases reliability and requires regular lubrication
  • EMAs are highly susceptible to damage from shock loads and side-loading

Kyntronics Hybrid Linear Actuator (SHA)

  • SHA is rated at 50,000,000 inches of travel (before a simple rod seal change) regardless of load
  • No metal-to-metal contact results in increased reliability (load independent)
  • The SHA provides 10X-100X better reliability compared with Ball Screw / Roller Screw Actuators

Cost Comparison at Different Force Ratings

Kyntronics Hybrid Linear Actuator (SHA) vs Electro-Mechanical Roller Screw Actuator (EMA)

Cost Assumptions

  • Includes Actuator, Servo Motor, Servo Drive
  • Add 15% Premium to Roller Screw Actuator if Stoke Length is Longer than 24″
  • Standard Configuration, Standard L10 Roller Screw Life
  • Cost Amounts are Approximate Distributor Net

Cost Comparison at Different Force Ratings

 Roller Screw EMA

 Kyntronics Hybrid Linear Actuator

Kyntronics actuation systems are available as a “Total Solution” that includes the actuator, motor, controls, programming software and factory support

View our Technical Article: Comparing Hydraulic and Electric Actuation Systems

Hydraulic System Comparison

Kyntronics Hybrid Linear Actuators (SHAs) incorporate the benefits of hydraulic actuation while eliminating their deficiencies. The SHA uses a minimal amount of fluid and is fully sealed, eliminating the risk of leaks making the product safer with less downtime. It requires minimal maintenance and provides excellent shock load tolerance. The SHA saves energy using ‘power on demand’ and delivers precise control of position, force, and speed.

Hydraulic Actuation Systems with common leak points

Standard Kyntronics SHA Circuit

Benefits of Hydraulic System

  • Can produce large forces at high speeds using high HP (KW) HPUs
  • Robust operation, handles shock loads without issue
  • Cost-effective for simple applications
  • Compact cylinders – high force density
  • Can provide higher Ingress Protection (IP) ratings

Challenges of Hydraulic System

  • Hydraulic pump runs continuously at maximum pressure and speed wasting energy
  • Require regular filter and oil changes – expensive and environmentally hazardous
  • Violent transitions and vibration lead to inevitable leaks causing unplanned downtime and safety risks
  • To precisely control position and force, expensive add-on components are required
  • Do not offer integrated force measurement (must add expensive load cells)
  • Contamination results in downtime and excessive maintenance by a dwindling cohort of trained hydraulic technicians

Kyntronics Advantages

  • Actuator is completely sealed, no hoses or threaded connections minimize leak risk
  • Use Power-on-Demand to save energy, very efficient operation
  • Lower cost of ownership (Table 1)
  • Does not require a Hydraulic Power Unit – saves space and is much quieter
  • Precisely controls position and force
  • Requires minimal maintenance
  • A “Total Solution” option (actuator, motor, drive, software) is available
  • Provides simple Fieldbus connectivity
  • Can easily add more actuators to a machine

 

 

Typical Hydraulic System Challenges

A Mess of Hoses
Complex Servo Valves – High Upkeep
Inevitable Leaks – Safety Risk
Constantly Running HPU Wastes Energy

Annual Operating Cost Comparison – Kyntronics Hybrid Linear Actuators (SHA) vs Traditional Hydraulic

View our Technical Article: Comparing Hydraulic and Electric Actuation Systems

Pneumatic System Comparison

Kyntronics Hybrid Linear Actuators (SHAs) are an alternative for pneumatic actuation when more precise control, programmability and less reliance on compressed air is required

Typical Pneumatic System

Standard Kyntronics SHA Circuit

Benefits of Pneumatic System

  • Cost-effective (assuming compressed air infrastructure exists)
  • Provide rapid motion
  • Simple to install and maintain
  • Clean operation
  • Compact footprint

Challenges of Pneumatic System

  • Air leaks – inefficient
  • Limited to lower rated-force applications
  • Difficult to control – require expensive add-on components
  • Pressure drops – inconsistent operation
  • Air contamination
  • Insufficient lubrication

Kyntronics Advantages

  • Actuator is completely sealed, no hoses or threaded connections minimize leak risk
  • Use Power-on-Demand to save energy, very efficient operation
  • Load zone is throughout the full stroke length
  • Quiet operation (no compressor)
  • Precisely controls position and force
  • Requires minimal maintenance
  • Versatile actuator configurations
  • A “Total Solution” option (actuator, motor, drive, software) is available
  • Provides simple Fieldbus Connectivity

Versatile actuator configurations provide flexibility to fit your machine

View our Case Study: Replacing Pneumatics on an Automotive Lifting System

Air-Over-Oil System Comparison

Kyntronics Hybrid Linear Actuators (SHAs) are an alternative to Air-Over-Oil actuation systems where more precise control, programmability, and less downtime risk is required.

Air-Over-Oil System Diagram

Standard Kyntronics SHA Circuit

Benefits of Air-Over-Oil System

  • Fast motion coupled with a larger force
  • Cost effective
  • Uses existing compressed air infrastructure
  • Quiet operation
  • No continuously running motor

Challenges of Air-Over-Oil System

  • Challenging to control – not versatile
  • Limited “load zone”
  • Many leak points – air and hydraulic connections and hoses
  • Difficult to size
  • Energy inefficient
  • Contamination resulting in downtime and high maintenance

Kyntronics Advantages

  • Actuator is totally sealed, no hoses or threaded connections minimizes leak risk
  • Use Power-on-Demand to save energy, very efficient operation
  • Load zone is throughout the full stroke length
  • Quiet operation (no compressor)
  • Precisely controls position and force
  • Requires minimal maintenance
  • Versatile actuator configurations
  • A “Total Solution” (actuator, motor, drive, software) is available
  • Provides simple Fieldbus connectivity

Versatile actuator configurations provide flexibility to fit your machine

View our Technical Article: Upgrading Air-Over-Oil Cylinders with Kyntronics Advantage