Linear Actuators Archives - HyperCyl
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Tag Archive: Linear Actuators

  1. How To: Determine the Appropriate Technology for High Force/High Speed Applications

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    Flexibility, performance, capital and operating costs have always been key factors in today’s expanding manufacturing marketplace. For decades hydraulics and mechanical presses were the only options for high-speed, high-force assembly and forming applications. More recently hydra-pneumatics and servo-based systems have emerged as viable low-cost alternatives. So which technology is best suited for a specific application? The following topics can serve as a guideline towards the correct usage.
    Aries Engineering is the only manufacturer Headquartered and Manufactured in North America offering both servo driven and hydra-pneumatic solutions.

    Servo-Based Technology – HyperCyl-EMA

    Capability: Provides exceptional control over force, speed, and distance characteristics. Requires the use of a full PLC/PC based electrical panel and 230V/460V. Best used for push-to-distance or push-to-force applications, push/pull applications and where Extreme repeatability is essential. Signature analysis, data logging, part history, trending and root cause analysis options are also available for added functionality and tracking.

    Reliability: Servo technologies are inherently capable and sizing them appropriately is crucial. Expected lifetime is from 3 Years to 5 Years, configured for any application. Long-Term Reliability coincides with maintenance schedules.

    Speed: Up to 16.00 in/sec with an extremely high rate of repeatability. Requires a deceleration setting before Contact and Home to maximize tooling and screw life.

    Forces: 1-10 Ton in Ball Screw configurations (BS1 & BS2) with a medium dynamic load rating; 1-25 Tons in the Roller Screw configuration with a high dynamic load rating.

    Maintenance: 3/6-month lube schedule & periodic belt tension check dependent on usage and environment.

    Cost: Can be higher initial cost than comparable Hydraulics. Energy efficiency and ROI achieved with minimal downtime, low noise pollution, rapid setting changes without involving tooling, ZERO environmental pollution, comparable energy usage to hydraulics without the mess.

    Hydra-Pneumatic Cylinders – HyperCyl

    Capability: Utilizing 2 pneumatic valves for operation and a FRL greatly reduces start up time. Cylinders are available in 5 design configurations and 11 standard sizes. Best used for; crimping, dimpling, peening, swaging, inserting, clinching, pressing, staking, piercing, punching, marking, bending, and forming. When coupled with the IntelliCyl option, (load cell and LVLT) force distance monitoring is available.

    Reliability: (MTBS) Mean time between service interval of approximately 4-5 million cycles because down time is not an option. LIFETIME warranty on all HPI – HPS – HZ – HZS – HPT cylinders, 1-Ton through 200-Ton.

    Speed: Fast Approach speeds similar to that of a pneumatic cylinder (6 in/sec – 10 in/sec) and High-Pressure speeds similar to that of hydraulic cylinders (1.0 in/sec – 2.0 in/sec).

    Forces: 1-200 tons of output force using 30-100 PSI shop air.

    Maintenance: 20 million cycles before seals require replacement. Field serviceable by maintenance techs and 24-hour HyperCyl assistance is available. Periodic maintenance depends on application and environment.

    Cost: More expensive than Pneumatic cylinders but offers the same clean, quiet & self-contained operation. Less expensive than hydraulic and mechanical systems for both short & long-term investments.

    Additional Products:

    HyperView Press – SigPOD
    IntelliCyl – load cell & linear transducer
    HyperPress-C Frame, H Frame, CGB Frame
    Equalizing/ Non-Equalizing Units Pneumatic
    Mechanical Rod Locks

    Industries Served:

    HyperCyl Manufacturing Industries Served – Automotive, DoD, Lawn & Garden, Appliance, HVAC, Food & Beverage Packaging, Destructive Testing, ATV/Off-Road

    HyperCyl-EMA Industries Served – Medical Device Manufacturing, Aerospace, Automotive, Food Product Manufacturing, Clean Room Environments, Lab Testing

    To learn more about our product solutions and how they can benefit your assembly or forming application, contact us today. To discuss your application requirements with one of our experts, request a quote.

  2. Can HyperCyl meet your application needs?

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    HyperCyl’s products are designed to enable clean, quiet, and precise operations with minimal maintenance requirements. Our diverse product portfolio supports a wide range of industries and applications.

    Industries

    Aries Engineering/HyperCyl is a Michigan-based company specializing in the fabrication of cylinders, presses, and other products for assembly and forming applications in the industrial automation, manufacturing, commercial, and defense industries. Our versatile products cover virtually all segments of industrial production, from medical and electronic device manufacturing to heavy industrial piercing and forming, including:

    • Automotive (engine/transmission, suspension, body)
    • Medical devices (clean-room)
    • Semiconductors (clean-room)
    • Electronic devices
    • Appliances (washer, dryer, etc.)
    • Munitions (bullet manufacture, warhead seal & contain systems)
    • Office furniture
    • Coining
    • Hemming

    Meeting Your Application Needs

    Whether you need a simple press, high-precision actuator, or fully customized turnkey system, HyperCyl has the manufacturing expertise and problem-solving skills to provide unique solutions for a range of assembly and forming challenges. Our press systems include C-frame, H-frame, and CBG-frame options, and we also offer HyperPierce units available in both equalizing and non-equalizing designs.

    HyperCyl cylinders are clean, quiet, and reliable self-contained power sources with versatile designs capable of accommodating various industrial operation requirements.

    In addition to our standard product line, we also accommodate special requests, and can tailor our cylinder and actuator designs around the customer’s specific production requirements with reasonable turnaround times and prices.

    Quality You Can Expect

    When you choose a HyperCyl for your operation, you can expect:

    • The ability to separately regulate the approach and power strokes, providing enhanced control over the process and eliminating the need for cylinder reconfiguration
    • Increased retract force versus competition, allowing for heavier tooling
    • No stored energy hazards as the cylinders do not use mechanical springs to assist the pistons (competition does use internal springs)
    • Increased value over alternative cylinder options, including multi-stage air cylinders and hydraulic cylinders and power units
    • Limited lifetime warranty

    To learn more about our product solutions and how they can benefit your assembly or forming application, contact us today. To discuss your application requirements with one of our experts, request a quote.

  3. What Is a Linear Actuator?

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    To differentiate between linear or rotary actuators, consider their motion profile. In the case of linear actuators, they generate push or pull movement along a straight line through rotary motion. Different types of linear actuators utilize energy sources such as electricity, pressurized hydraulic fluid, and compressed air or gas to power the motor that creates that rotary motion.

    Operators have control over the speed of actuator movement, ensuring safe and efficient processing with high repeatability and positioning precision. Industries from aerospace and defense to agriculture and food and beverage make use of linear actuators for their cost-effectiveness and versatility in wide-ranging automation applications.

    Different Types of Linear Actuators

    To best suit the needs of these varied industries, engineers have developed three main types of actuators: mechanical/electromechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic.

    Mechanical and Electromechanical Linear Actuators

    An external force activates a mechanical linear actuator, and an internal force for electromechanical linear actuators, but both derive linear motion by converting rotary motion. A motor such as a servo, a stepper, or a gearmotor utilizing AC or DC power typically fuels electromechanical linear actuators. Among electromechanical actuators, you’ll frequently find ball-screw, roller-screw (also known as planetary screws), or lead-screw designs. All three contain a rotating nut that moves linearly along a screw shaft. Using these actuators can provide more control over distance and force, though they are typically more expensive than other types.

    Hydraulic Linear Actuators

    Rather than an electric signal or manual motion, hydraulic linear actuators gain power from oil or other pressurized hydraulic fluid. You’ll find these in operation in machines and equipment situated in rugged environments and terrain, such as construction sites or mining excavations. Hydraulic linear actuators are ideal for high-force and high-power applications, especially where you require shock load capacity and consistent pressure. However, these actuators need a lot of power, often suffer from leakages, and are quite noisy. You can also damage hydraulic actuators if you operate them at high temperatures, and they require added parts for full functionality.

    Pneumatic Linear Actuators

    Pneumatic linear actuators convert compressed air or gas energy to produce straight motion. Speed and cost are the primary benefits of these actuators. They’re reliable and effective for applications that require the rate of linear motion in objects to be up to 60 inches per second. However, you’ll also need a compressor, which generates noise during operation, and pressure losses disqualify these actuators from applications needing absolute movement precision.

    Features of Linear Actuators

    Linear actuators have enjoyed widespread usage because of their reliability and versatility. Actuators pair with various power sources and come in numerous design configurations, such as screw, rod, or belt type, that provide the requisite force, precision, and acceleration/deceleration speed for multiple applications.

    Requiring very little operator maintenance, actuators can have a long working life. You can deploy them in harsh environments, and they still provide high repetition, accurate positioning, and precision movements. Depending on the type you use, linear actuators can also be quite compact.

    Industries and Applications for Linear Actuators

    You will find linear actuators in many industries. Some of the most common are:

    •     Aerospace
    •     Agriculture
    •     Automotive
    •     Clean and renewable energy
    •     Food and beverage
    •     HVAC
    •     Marine
    •     Military
    •     Packaging
    •     Pharmaceutical
    •     Robotics

    Actuators are critical components in many processes within these industries. For example, actuators capture and harness solar, tidal, and wind energy to power equipment and buildings. You can find them in automotive features ranging from power liftgates to sunroofs. Tanks use actuators to elevate their weapons systems. Also, factories in numerous industrial sectors use actuators to operate conveyor belts, robots, and other automated equipment.

    High-Quality Linear Actuators From HyperCyl

    For reliable, precision linear servo actuators for industrial processes or finished goods, Aries Engineering Company, Inc. and HyperCyl systems have what you need. Serving a diverse customer base in industries such as automotive, medical, and aerospace, AEC/HyperCyl provides both Ball Screw and Roller Screw actuators with superior performance in real-world assembly and forming applications, as well as our Application Test Lab for potential assembly evaluation.

    Leveraging our expert engineers, product knowledge, and customer feedback, we ensure that HyperCyl fabricates electromechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic linear actuator systems to meet the highest quality standards. To find out more about our actuator solutions, contact us or request a quote today.