Posted to News on 21st Aug 2007, 18:59
Cost-effective alternative for linear positioning and control
Inmoco's new Exlar Tritex series of linear actuators are a simple and low-cost electrical alternative to fluid power actuators and electric drive systems employing ball screw or gear reducer mechanisms. They combine a brushless servomotor, servo amplifier and position controller in a single industrial-grade enclosure. This integration overcomes the cost and complexity of a systems engineering approach, as all elements for producing linear motion have been properly matched and designed into the actuator and tested for efficiency.
Tritex actuators provide all-electric actuation for moving and/or positioning mechanical devices in a variety of industrial or military applications. They eliminate the requirement for pneumatic and hydraulic cylinders - the latter with its expensive support equipment and maintenance requirements - offering instead a cleaner, better integrated unit that is easier to install and use, and one that provides improved positional performance and reduced cycle times.
The integrated three-in-one design of the Tritex series of electric actuators eliminates both the external servo amplifier and the expensive and failure-prone cables associated with typical servo systems. In addition, the Tritex design means that ball screw mechanisms and separately-mounted gear reducers are also a thing of the past, because rotary-to-linear converters or mechanical reducers are designed in.
As a result, the time spent on component selection, design and installation is saved, and the panel space for a separately mounted amplifier - and its complex wiring - is not required. Neither is troubleshooting and debugging of components such as gear reducers, couplings and rotary-to-linear converter mechanisms.
Inverted roller screw benefits
Inmoco says the latter are not required because the Tritex linear actuators employ Exlar's patented, inverted roller screw mechanism for converting the rotational motion generated within the Tritex actuator. This mechanism has a lead accuracy of 25um/300mm for high-precision operation and can also be supplied with zero backlash.
The large contact area of the roller screw – which is the result of using rollers rather than balls - allows high force characteristics while guaranteeing long life. Indeed, 15 times the life of comparably sized ball screws is said to be common, even in the most demanding repetitive applications. In addition, the planetary design of the roller screw allows it to be accelerated and rotated faster (up to 5000rpm) than comparably sized ball screws.
Tritex series actuators operate in one of five different motion producing modes, satisfying a wide range of applications in industrial automation, medical equipment, fastening and joining, blow moulding, injection moulding, testing, food processing, and more. The modes include: Move To A Position (Or Switch); Move To A Preset Force Or Torque; Position Proportional To An Analogue Signal; Velocity Proportional to An Analogue Signal; and Force/Torque Proportional to An Analogue Signal.
Programmed functions for a particular motion application, product configurations and motion parameters are all stored in the Tritex non-volatile memory. An RS/485 series interface allows control, programming and monitoring of all aspects of the actuator as it performs an application.
The Tritex actuators are available in stroke lengths from 75-455mm, providing maximum continuous thrust capacities up to 5560N. They are rated for operation at 24 and 48V DC, are available with many different types of mountings, and offer IP54 protection.
