Tolomatic Maximizes Uptime with Electric Linear Actuators

Engineers are increasingly enhancing industrial automation systems with electric actuators to eliminate downtime and increase throughput. These actuators are ideal for this growing demand because of their high reliability and performance while requiring very little maintenance. Historically, hydraulic and pneumatic actuators have been economically viable in many production environments, but frequent interruptions for maintenance can detract from their utility. According to Tolomatic, in order to maximize the efficiency and output of an industrial manufacturing line, it’s crucial to minimize downtime as much as possible. Electric actuators offer an alternative to pneumatic and hydraulic operations looking to eliminate downtime. Reliable, efficient and precise, they virtually eliminate downtime in demanding industrial automation applications because they feature fewer moving components and provide an easy pathway to predictive maintenance strategies. Often incorporating safety features to minimize the impact of mechanical failures, their high precision, accuracy and efficiency optimize many production processes and eliminate many repetitive manual procedures. Pneumatic and hydraulic actuators may seem more economical at first, but the maintenance often required for such technologies can balloon costs beyond their initial investment. They require numerous components such as hoses, valves, filters, fittings and more — all of which are points of failure that require routine inspection, maintenance and replacement. Featuring fewer components, electric actuators commonly only require a motor, an optional gearbox, cables and a drive or amplifier. Servo linear actuators go a step further by actually integrating the motor into the actuator design. Fewer moving parts means a lower risk of mechanical failures as well as reduced maintenance requirements. Durable construction also prolongs electric actuator life. Most industrial electric actuators are built from high-quality materials to withstand rugged environments. Integrated servo linear actuator designs especially offer excellent protection. Containing the servomotor within the same housing as the actuator increases rigidity and ingress protection. This design minimizes the risk of mechanical failure that can interrupt an operation. In addition to fewer parts, electric actuators also have a more predictable lifespan. Seals are necessary in hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders to maintain performance, and degradation is unavoidable. As they wear over time, cylinder performance drops due to pressure losses. It can be a challenge to predict when a seal will fail, but calculating electric actuator lifespan is much more predictable and consistent. Electric actuators also feature a seal around the rod, but performance is not directly affected.