Linear actuators offer higher loads, longer life

An Inmoco product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Aug 6, 2001

The planetary roller screw technology of the Exlar FT Series of force tube actuators offers OEMs and machine builders the benefits of higher speeds, higher load capacities and longer life

The unique planetary roller screw technology of the Exlar FT Series of force tube actuators from Inmoco offers OEMs and machine builders the benefits of higher speeds, higher load capacities and longer life, especially when compared to acme and ballscrew actuators of similar size.

The flexible sealed design of the FT series also enables easy integration into machines together with high resistance to contaminants and water ingress.

The patented planetary roller screw design of the FT Series actuators offers a much larger contact area due to the use of rollers rather than balls.

As a result the linear actuators are able to offer performance far exceeding that of other force tube linear actuators based on acme or ballscrews.

Available in three frame sizes, with strokes up 2.4metres, the FT Series actuators provide continuous thrust ratings from 8900N to 45,000N, speeds to over 1.5m/s, lead accuracies across the range of 30mm/300mm (6�m/300mm optional) and backlash of just 0.006mm.

Other major features of the design are improved stiffness and tolerance to shock loads, and excellent operating life, approximately 15 times that of comparably sized ball or acme screw actuators.

With their high thrust capability, compact size and smooth controlled motion, the FT Series actuators are an ideal replacement for hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders in many applications.

The control improvements they offer providing more consistent, efficient and flexible performance in such typical applications as moulding, dispensing, filling, tension control and joining.

The IP65 rated design of the FT series actuators offers all the contamination isolation advantages of hydraulic cylinders, in keeping contaminants out and lubricants in.

All converting components are mounted within the sealed Epoxy-coated aluminium housing.

This prevents abrasive particles and other forms of contamination from entering the actuator's critical mechanisms and ensures trouble-free operation even in the most severe environments.

The sealed and lubricated for life characteristics of the FT Series units are further enhanced when the units are specified for food industry use.

In these instances the standard Epoxy-coated aluminium body is augmented with a food grade coating and the specification of the actuator is upgraded to IP67 to provide protection against wash downs.

The machine integration possibilities provided by the flexibility of FT Series design are enhanced by the facility for simple start-up; i.e the ability to quickly and easily connect the actuators to the widest variety of standard servo motors.

Exlar has removed much of the end-user-engineering burden in this respect, by designing the FT series to be compatible with standard motors from a host of different manufacturers.

Many motor mounting, actuator mounting and gearing configurations are also available to meet almost any application requirement.

The number of actuator mounting configurations available further enhances the simple start-up and integration flexibility provided by the FT motor options.

These include side mount, side lug, extended tie rods, rear clevis, front flange, side trunnion, rear flange and front/rear flange.

In addition, OEM specials are also available.

The many features of Exlar FT series force tube actuators mean that they are ideal for applications across all sectors of industry.

Typically these include: automated assembly, automated flexible fixturing, automatic tool changers, chip and wafer handling, dispensers, fillers, formers, indexing, pick and place systems, door actuation, cut-to-length, materials handling and precision valve control, simulation, tension control, ventilation systems and many, many more.