Tech Briefs Magazine - August 2021 - MD-4

Stepper- and servo-driven actuators also
require connection to AC power, further
limiting their use in mobile/robotic
applications.
Thanks to recent advances in linear
motion control, a new generation of
long-life, DC-driven electric actuators is
available at a price point that makes
high duty cycle affordable for a new
range of applications.
Inside a New-Generation
Long-Life Actuator
Long-life actuators take advantage of a
unique combination of design features in
order to perform for high-duty-cycle
applications. First, instead of using servo,
stepper, or brushed electric motors, longlife
actuators use brushless DC motors.
Unlike a brushed DC motor, which would
overheat at high duty cycles, the brushless
DC motors generate essentially no friction.
This enables a duty cycle of up to
35% or, depending on the load and ambient
temperature, up to 100%.
Other features contributing to the
actuator's durability are double-circuit
nuts and larger screws. They reduce
another common point of actuator wear
and extend cycles from 30,000 or 40,000
to about one million, improving travel
time by orders of magnitude. Additional
life-extending design features include a
strengthened screw and extra-angular
contact bearings.
Together, these features result
in an actuator that lasts ten times longer
than the traditional brushed motor-driven
actuator that might otherwise have been
deployed in transport-grade industrial
applications while still at a fraction of the
cost of servo- or stepper-driven styles.
When compared to stepper- or servo-driv -
en solutions, brushless DC motor-driven
actuators tend to be more compact
because they don't need gearing configurations.
Long-life actuators are also typically
sealed for high-ingress protection and
lubricated for life in the factory, thereby
requiring zero additional maintenance.
The long-life Thomson Electrak® LL
actuator is designed for high-duty-cycle
applications that do not need high precision.
(Photo courtesy of Thomson
Industries, Inc.)
On the factory floor, there are opportunities around every corner for high-duty-cycle applications that don't require high precision. For example, diverting packages or
other items on a conveyor can be easily assisted with the use of long-life electric actuators. (Photo courtesy of Thomson Industries, Inc.)
4
Cov
ToC
Motion Design, August 2021

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Tech Briefs Magazine - August 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Tech Briefs Magazine - August 2021

Tech Briefs Magazine - August 2021 - Intro
Tech Briefs Magazine - August 2021 - Sponsor
Tech Briefs Magazine - August 2021 - Cov1
Tech Briefs Magazine - August 2021 - Cov2
Tech Briefs Magazine - August 2021 - 1
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Tech Briefs Magazine - August 2021 - Cov3
Tech Briefs Magazine - August 2021 - Cov4
Tech Briefs Magazine - August 2021 - MD-Cov1
Tech Briefs Magazine - August 2021 - MD-Cov2
Tech Briefs Magazine - August 2021 - MD-1
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Tech Briefs Magazine - August 2021 - MD-4
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Tech Briefs Magazine - August 2021 - MD-Cov3
Tech Briefs Magazine - August 2021 - MD-Cov4
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