FAQs
How to Achieve Optimal Performance
from Electric Rod-style Actuators
Electric Rod-style Actuators
What are the benefits of using electric
rod-style actuators rather than pneumatic
or hydraulic actuators?
Electric rod-style actuators provide increased reliability and efficiency, as
well as more repeatable and predictable performance. These factors make
them ideal for high-speed and high-precision applications in factory floor
automations. In addition, electric rod-style actuators cost less to install,
take no outside equipment for air pressure or hydraulic fluid, provide lower
energy expenditures, and reduce short- and long-term maintenance. Initial
costs can be higher, so it is essential to fully analyze your linear actuator
application to precisely determine the project’s parameters.
What is the first application factor I have to consider?
You’ll want to start like any other design you work on, by calculating the
precise static and dynamic loads of your application. Once this is complete,
you’ll be able to match those numbers to the peak and continuous load
capabilities of the actuator, then match the electric motor, the lead screw,
and the bearings to the anticipated loads for cost-effectiveness and reliability.
Online sizing software, available from most suppliers, will help you size and
select an actuator once you determine your application’s exact requirements.
Match motor, lead screw, and bearings to anticipated load.
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Would I do that similar to how
I calculate my fluid power needs?
That would not be recommended, since oversizing actuators is a habit
that fluid power systems engineers have gotten into as an insurance
policy against not having enough power. For electric rod-style actuators,
you don’t need the 2:1 safety factor that many fluid power applications
use. Electric actuators are more precise devices and can be calculated
to greater precision, allowing engineers to keep their initial component
costs in line. Sizing programs, graphs, and formulas are readily available
from actuator manufacturers, such as Tolomatic, to make this task easy
and more accurate than in the past.
What if my application is running 24/7?
You need to factor that in up front. The duty cycle is defined as the ratio of
operating time to idle time of an electric actuator expressed as a percentage.
So, even if your application is running 24/7, you’ll want to calculate how
often the actuator is operating. For example, if your actuator moves for 2
sec. and is idle for 2 sec. before the next movement, you have a 50% duty
cycle. These are figures an engineer should calculate during the design
process. Note that underestimating duty cycle can lead to overheating,
faster wear, and premature component failure, while overestimating duty
cycle will lead to higher initial costs due to oversizing.
Can electric actuators operate at
the high speeds I might need?
Absolutely. Now we’re getting back into the capabilities of the motors,
screws, and bearings in electric rod-style actuators. You can easily use
speed/force charts from suppliers to help you make a determination of
what you need. Be aware that a common error is to specify a stepper
motor to save costs, when a servomotor might be more appropriate for
the velocity and force requirements of your application. As the speed
of a stepper motor increases, its available force drops sharply, whereas
servomotors are able to maintain their force at higher speeds. Force and
velocity also dictate the type and pitch of the lead screw. Knowing precise
speed and velocity requirements of your application will greatly help in
your specifying the right actuator.
Is there an upper limit to how fast
I can operate my actuator?
We understand that higher operating speeds can often improve
manufacturing throughput, but when incorporating an electric rod-
style actuator, lead screw critical speed becomes your upper limit. This
refers to the rotational speed that excites the screw’s natural frequency.
Reaching this critical speed causes the screw to oscillate. As the stroke
length increases, the distance between the support bearings
increases and can cause screw oscillation at a certain speed;

Electric motion
this wears the support bearings and can result in vibration
and noise, as well as failure. Since this critical speed is
dependent on the screw length and diameter, you can adjust
your purchase appropriately.
Stronger, faster, smarter
Is there anything I need to
be careful of when installing than hydraulic or
electric rod-style actuators? pneumatic cylinders
We would caution against side loading. Rod-style actuators
are vulnerable to damage and wear if the extended rod is
subjected to even moderate side loads. These loads often
occur when the actuator is out of alignment with the main
load, which causes severe wear to the front bearing and
damage to the lead nut. This means that you’ll want to
pay attention to how you mount the actuator, which has
a tendency to run out of alignment at maximum stroke,
particularly when mounted with a clevis type rod end.

Forces to
178 kN
(40K lbf)

Linear guides

We are involved in a wide variety

of applications; will that impact
the device we choose? • No air, no oil, no leaks
Always consider the environment your application will
ultimately have to operate in. High temperatures can affect • Reliable, accurate, efficient performance
motors during operation, and harsh environments with a lot • Widest range of configurable actuators
of chemicals or particulates can damage seals. You may want
to consider how you house these types of components so that • Fast delivery
they are protected from damage during normal operations.

What additional items I should know?

Always contact your supplier for additional help in making
your decision. Suppliers have the engineering experience
and expertise to help you evaluate your application in ways
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that you may not have considered. Most suppliers have “10 tips for specifying electric actuators”
online support material such as white papers, tech notes,
and sizing tools that can aid in your analysis, so that when Click here
you call you can have specific questions geared directly to
your particular application.

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