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GO ELECTRIC WHEN YOU’RE looking for precise control and
positioning with low operating costs
SMC Pneumatics looks into the benefits that can be gained by specifying electric actuators
I
t’s generally accepted that electric actuators provide flexibility plus
precise control and positioning with low operating costs, when compared to using standard pneumatic actuators. Whilst falling energy charges have helped address some of the costs issues when using compressed air, high maintenance and operating expenses still remain a major factor. According to the Department of Energy, 24% of the annual cost of compressed air is due to maintenance, equipment and
According to Jeremy Wicks, a specialist
in electric actuators at automation leaders SMC: “The major factor when selecting electric actuators in an application is the need for accurate sizing. Understanding and evaluating loading in the application helps to ensure that the right actuator is specified which, in turn, means that you’re using the most cost effective electric actuator solution.” However, with the vast choice of electric actuators now on the market and with prices from £500 to £2,000 and more, are these factors stopping today’s
engineers going electric? installation, while 76% is due directly to the cost of electricity for the compressor. On the other hand, electric actuators
are particularly suitable when used in medium sized applications where their flexibility of performance, coupled with their excellent energy efficiency and lower maintenance and replacements costs can be enjoyed, without the high generation and maintenance costs associated with compressed air.
“The major factor when selecting electric actuators in an application is the need for accurate sizing. Understanding and evaluating loading in the application helps to ensure the right actuator is specified which, in turn, means that you’re using the most cost effective actuator solution”
It’s true that the component costs of
electric actuators are higher than for air operated cylinders, but their operating costs are lower. A fact which is often not considered or it’s simply ignored. The overall cost of ownership for users can be very attractive when production lead times can be reduced by their integration, as the cost benefits can be visible to production managers and senior management. Although not often considered with cost, the level and capability of high speed data feedback can be used to monitor live information such as product size when picking various sized items using electric grippers, which can lead to 100% checking and data logging as opposed to slow line side batch testing. Aligning these cost benefits in producing a higher yield and reducing waste product can often pose the question for both
8 DEC/JAN 2016 | DESIGN SOLUTIONS
minimal amounts of energy. The largest costs in manufacturing
It’s true that the component costs of electric actuators are higher than for air operated cylinders but their operating costs are lower. A fact which is often not considered or it’s simply ignored
applications today are usually down to changes or adaptions to an assembly line to accommodate a different product – manual changeovers. These can be incredibly expensive in terms of lost production and engineering time to make these changes. However, because electric actuators are programmable, changeover costs can be dramatically reduced.
OEM’s and End users- can you afford not to go electric? In reality, the power draw of the motor is largely responsible for the operating costs as the low voltage circuitry in the amplifier and the controller consume
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