Precision electric linear actuators delivered in 24 hours

Festo's EGSK and EGSP series actuators are said to provide exceptionally accurate positioning capabilities. Featuring a one-piece steel housing that also serves as a guide rail - conveying a high degree of stiffness to the design - they are suitable for applications demanding short and precise moves, especially where space is limited. Their low profile makes them particularly suitable for the type of small pick-and-place systems and X-Y tables used in the semiconductor manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries.

EGSK and EGSP actuators offer a choice of three classes of precision, with repetition accuracies of +/-3, +/-5 or +/-10 microns, and they are available in two performance categories.

The EGSK range of standard performance electric actuators comprises five models, with profile heights from 15-46mm. All five models employ a ball screw drive with a choice of pitches, and offer a wide variety of stroke lengths from 25-800mm, depending on the model. The +/-10 micron precision class versions of all EGSK actuators, which are suitable for the majority of applications and are therefore likely to prove the most popular, are available off-the-shelf from Festo.

The EGSP range of high-performance electric actuators use caged recirculating ball bearings between the carriage and the guide to help reduce friction and noise still further. There are four models in the range - with profile heights of 20, 26, 33 and 46mm - and, again, each is available with a choice of ball screw drive pitches and a variety of stroke lengths from 25-800mm. The two largest actuators also employ caged ball bearing chains in the ball screw drive assembly to ensure smooth, trouble-free operation under heavy load conditions.

Bearing guidance

All Festo EGSK and EGSP electric actuators feature four rows of ball bearings circulating within the loaded area of the moving carriage to maximise stiffness and help ensure a long service life. The ball bearings run between the honed grooves of the carriage and the linear guide until they are returned by means of the reversers in the end plates and the recirculation channels. The four rows of balls are arranged at a contact angle of 45 degrees, which means that the guide carriage has the same basic load ratings in both radial co-ordinate directions; the actuator can therefore be mounted in any orientation and can accommodate a wide range of load conditions.

EGSK and EGSP electric actuators are fully compatible with Festo's range of stepper and servo motors and controllers, and can also be used with third-party motors; Festo produces a comprehensive range of motor mounting flanges and couplings, as well as actuator mounting plates and axial mounting kits. The company also offers optional cover kits for these actuators, plus a sensor rail kit that enables inductive position sensors to be attached to the left or right side of the actuator body.

Sizing software

Festo has developed a powerful PC-based software tool to help machine designers and other potential users make best use of electric drive technology such as the EGSK actuators. This positioning drive software enables users to choose the optimum components for a complete, high-efficiency positioning system, and can be downloaded free of charge from the electric drive technology page of the website. Once a few application details have been entered, the software automatically calculates the ideal combination of electric linear axes, motors, gear units, controllers and software, from a widely coordinated product range. By specifying various project parameters, users can also obtain the load characteristic values for the selected drive, quickly and reliably.

Follow the links for more information about the EGSK and EGSP ultra-compact precision electric linear actuators.