The future is electric: New EMA-series of electromechanical linear actuators

Thanks to high power density, EWELLIX electromechanical linear actuator types EMA-50 and EMA-60 are replacing hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders
Finely graduated, high-performance EMA-series actuators allow for precise sizing
Ideal for use in industrial automation, mobile machinery, and material handling tasks
At the Hannover Messe 2026, the Motion Technology Company Schaeffler will debut its EWELLIX electromechanical linear actuators in sizes EMA-50 and EMA-60. These new, especially compact variants will expand and complement the EMA high-performance actuator series for dynamic loads in the range one to two tons.

With this range of high-performance actuators, Schaeffler is offering its customers an energy-efficient, oil-free, and low-maintenance alternative to hydraulic solutions. The new EWELLIX linear actuators in sizes EMA-50 and EMA-60, alongside the EMA-80 and EMA-100 variants, cover a broad range of hydraulic and pneumatic applications, for example in mobile machinery such as construction vehicles or in the plastics and food industries. At its booth, Schaeffler will showcase both the EMA 50 and the EMA 100 high-performance actuator, integrated into a modular intralogistics exhibit consisting of an autonomous forklift and a chain conveyor.

With a cross-section of just 50 mm for the EMA-50 and 65 mm for the EMA-60, Schaeffler is offering a solution with an extremely high power density. Thanks to three different gear ratios, forces and speeds can be adapted flexibly to the specific customer requirements. By means of suitable adapters, standard motors can be connected in such a way that users enjoy maximum flexibility in their choice of the preferred motor supplier, including resolver system and brake.

“We have designed the EMA series so that – thanks to the fine graduation of the dynamic loads of one, two, three, six, and eight tons – our electromechanical actuators are precisely tailored to the performance requirements of the respective product, without over-dimensioning. As a result, our customers’ cost and performance targets can be optimally aligned,” explains Andreas Schaffner, Product Manager Actuators and Screws, Linear Motion business division at Schaeffler. “Especially where installation space is tight, our electromechanical linear actuators offer our customers new options for design and as a result, give them an additional competitive advantage.”

Thanks to spur gears with three different gear ratios, forces and speeds can be adapted flexibly to the specific customer requirements when using EMA-series linear actuators. Alongside the spur gear units already available, inexpensive toothed belt drives – which allow higher linear speeds at lower gear ratios – are also currently under development. One popular application is in drive solutions for simulators.