electric designs eliminated the cost and downtime required to maintain the hydraulic system. A further example of a typical heavy-duty
environment involved a high-speed train carriage manufacturer aiming to find a solution to wheel wear, where a key challenge was meeting the regulations required by the rail industry for fire, smoke and vibration. To steer the carriage wheels through curves and reduce friction, Tolomatic worked with the manufacturer to develop a customised version of its IMA44 integrated linear servo actuator. This design met the required shock, vibration and fire standards, which no other actuator available on the market at the time could achieve. Meanwhile, in battery manufacture, a
hen precise and repeatable performance is required, electric linear actuators are the prime choice. These minimise
the challenges of backlash, friction and variability, and remove the maintenance problems associated with hydraulic and pneumatic designs. They are also capable of high force and improved control precision. Situations that test extreme temperature
resistance, debris and moisture ingress, corrosion, as well as shock and vibration, are critical to a range of linear motion requirements. These applications often take place in outdoor settings exposed to the elements and involving high loads. However, indoor applications can demand the strongest resilience to harsh conditions, whether that’s the durability demanded by heavy industry, or ensuring critical factors are met, such as hygiene standards essential to the pharmaceutical and food & beverage sectors.
The durability of electric linear actuators mainly results from the design and materials involved with the housing, materials and seals. These designs can exert forces up to 294 kN (66,000 lbf), comparable to a hydraulic or pneumatic system yet occupying a significantly more compact footprint. Shock loads can also be managed with features such as steel heads with integrated trunnions, allowing the mechanical connection to pivot. Of additional benefit, electric linear actuators from brands like Tolomatic can operate in
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temperature extremes above 100˚C and below 0˚C thanks to specially prepared motor windings, as well as sealed bearings with temperature- appropriate lubrication. In comparison, thermal limitations of pneumatic systems include condensation and freezing, while high temperature can impact performance if pressure isn’t precisely and reliably regulated. For hydraulic systems, the impact of temperature extremes on oil viscosity and seal life can also present performance challenges. When used in extreme environments,
protection is often needed against the ingress of dust and moisture, which can be problematic for pneumatic and hydraulic solutions. With electric designs, however, sealed housings
protect internal mechanics and electronics. The sealed body of the electric actuator also carries a standardised ingress protection rating, presenting straightforward identification of its capabilities. Tolomatic actuators are rated up to IP69K, suitable for the high-pressure, high- temperature washdowns required in hygienic applications. These designs can also be configured with stainless steel and hygienic hardware that prevents corrosion from moisture, chemicals or washdown processes.
As an example, the moulding operation of an automated sand casting line in a steel foundry replaced its hydraulic actuators with two Tolomatic RSX15 extreme force rod-style actuators. Generating 66 kN (15,000 lbf) force to move steel castings from their moulds, the
key challenge is corrosion, particularly for applications such as acid bottle handling. To combat this and prevent elastomer seals from degrading, Tolomatic provided its RSH series actuator, specifically developed for use within corrosive environments. Constructed from high- grade 316 stainless steel, the RSH actuator also features PTFE seals, providing increased resilience against corrosive chemicals compared to nitrile or other elastomeric seal materials. In another example, a cheese manufacturer
wanted to replace the hydraulic cylinders on its cutting application with electric designs to eliminate the contamination risk from leaking hydraulic fluids. To achieve this, Tolomatic provided its all-stainless steel RSH30 hygienic electric actuator with IP69K protection and integrated motor to provide a hygienic, long-lasting solution.
While hydraulic and pneumatic linear actuators are still an option for applications demanding the very highest forces, increasingly OEMs and end users are replacing these systems with electric designs. For new projects, the advantages of precision, reliability and cleanliness mean that electric linear actuators are the favoured choice for virtually all industrial applications. INMOCO distributes Tolomatic actuators in the UK and can provide support on specification, as well as advising on the customisation options available to OEMs. The company can also specify gearboxes, servo drives and motors, as well as ruggedised controllers.
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