Everything you need to know about an industrial actuators

Industrial actuators are an essential part of industrial machinery and other types of devices, as they help to perform physical movements in order to transform energy.

Robotics and industrial automation are fields where actuators are indispensable because they enable production machines to move and grip objects.

Throughout this article you will learn more about these actuators and the types that exist, so we invite you to read on.

What is actuator in industry?

An industrial actuator is a device that converts a control signal into mechanical motion.

Industrial plants use these actuators in order to operate fluid couplings, valves, dampers and other devices used in the control of industrial processes.

In addition, they use hydraulic fluid, air or electricity as a driving force.

Types of industrial actuators by power supply

There are several types of industrial actuators with specific requirements, which are:

Pneumatic actuators

Industrial pneumatic actuators use compressed air to create motion. They are used in many applications, such as controlling valve positions or moving machine parts.

This type of actuator is generally preferred for applications requiring high force, explosion-proof environments or fast response times.

Pneumatic actuators

Hydraulic actuator

This type uses fluid pressure to create motion. In applications most commonly seen are heavy-duty applications, e.g., industrial robots, construction equipment and manufacturing machinery.

It is one of the types of industrial actuators that distinguish themselves by offering high levels of reliability, strength and durability.

Hydraulic actuator Rotork

Soft actuator

It has the option to change its shape in response to stimuli including electrical, thermal, mechanical and magnetic.

Their main occupation is human robotics rather than industry, which is where most of the actuators are used.

Soft actuator

Electric actuator

Industrial electric actuators are driven by DC or AC motors, and are used in applications where precise control, low maintenance and low noise are required.

How they use electrical energy to generate motion is seen in laboratory equipment, automation systems and medical devices.

Electromechanical actuator

These are industrial electric linear actuators that transform the rotational force of an electric rotary motor into a linear movement by means of a mechanism, either for a screw or a belt.

The design of electromechanical actuators for defense industry has the advantage of excellent pneumatic precision, low maintenance effort and possible long life cycle.

Electrohydraulic actuator

The focus of these industrial actuators is on electric motors that provide torque in order to operate a hydraulic accumulator that is then used to transmit the drive force in the same way as hydraulic/diesel motors.

This electrical power is used to drive electrical excavation and construction equipment or multi-turn valves.

When used to control flow through industrial valve actuators, a brake is installed on the motor to prevent fluid pressure from forcing the valve open.

Thermal or magnetic actuator

These are the two types that are used in magnetic and temperature changes in order to create motion, both of which are present in microelectromechanical systems.

Magnetic ones use magnetic fields to generate force and thermal ones use the contraction or expansion of materials in response to temperature changes.

Mechanical actuator

Mechanical industrial actuators are used in physical mechanisms such as cams, levers or gears to generate motion and are seen in applications where low cost, durability and simple operation are important.

Types of motion actuators

The industrial solenoid actuator has two types, which are:

Linear actuators

The industrial linear actuator is used to move linear valves such as sleeve valves, globe valves, gate valves and diaphragm valves through sliding.

They are perfect for high force applications, such as in the aerospace industry and engineering vehicles.

Rotary actuators

Industrial electric rotary actuators apply pressurized fluids into a cylinder, pushing a rack through the pinion.

These actuators are seen on machinery that needs to tip, transfer, tension, flip, operate valves, tilt, mix, index.

How does an actuator work?

It works by moving a piston in both directions, forwards and backwards, depending on electrical signals and are used in particular for movements such as pushing, lifting, lowering, pulling, locking, ejecting and gripping.

Industrial linear actuators work with a motor that creates a high-speed rotary motion and a gearbox that can slow down its impact.

How to choose a suitable actuator?

It is important to choose industrial actuators that suit your needs. Something that can help are these recommendations:

Evaluate the movement you need

It must be known what type of motion the project needs, whether linear to exert mechanical force or rotary that creates a circular motion.

Consider the energy input

Electric type actuators are very popular because of their flexibility and sophistication in handling operations, but this does not mean that they are suitable for all jobs.

Pneumatics or hydraulics should be considered if the job does not include electrical voltage input.

Evaluates the level of actuator accuracy

Some types of actuators are perfect for jobs in harsh environments, but not all do not work well for small jobs.

Consider the required force of movement

The load capacity an actuator has is what decides how much it can lift, so before you buy it, check that the weight of the object matches the capacity of the actuator.

Find out how far you should move the fluid

The length of the trace must be known, which is what decides how far your object moves.

Consider the work environment

Here we refer to whether the actuator must operate in a harsh or rugged environment where moisture or dust is a concern.

Select the ideal type of installation

Actuators have different types of mounting, so it is necessary to understand their benefits before purchasing them, in order to make the correct installation.

But, the best are Rotork industrial actuators.

How to install industrial actuators?

For a correct installation of habonim industrial valves & actuators the following steps must be followed:

  1. Open the valve manually.
  2. Remove the mechanical stops from the valve.
  3. Check that the actuator and valve are in the same position.
  4. Install the valve mounting hardware, at this time do not tighten the bolts and mount the actuator on the valve and tighten all bolts and nuts.
  5. Remove the actuator cover.
  6. Use the correct wiring for the actuator.
  7. Turn on the actuator.
  8. Check alignment.
  9. Re-secure the cover screws.

Where to buy an actuator in the United States?

Industrial actuators play an important role in the modern world, as they have an infinite use in even the smallest things.

At IndusCo you can buy an actuator and any other type of product you need for your project, because we are large distributors of industrial parts.

All our prices are very affordable to fit your needs, so, if you wish, you can request a quote for an actuator to take yours with you.

Warehouse, IndusCo United States

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