The ability to handle harsh washdown situations is key to many components and systems designed for food and beverage applications. When you need an electric system, rather than a pneumatic system, the ERD electric cylinders are available in six body sizes, with a force range from 500 lb-ft (2.22 kN) to 4,500 lb-ft (20.03 kN). This rod-style electric actuator family is an alternative to pneumatic cylinders and an option for automating manual processes. The actuators suit a number of motion control applications, including washdown environments, product changeovers, diverting/sorting, pressing and heat-staking/sonic welding. The ERD25 and ERD30 hygienic designs are USDA certified for meat (livestock), poultry and dairy processing applications.
Stroke lengths are up to 40 in. (1,016 mm), and speeds to 57.5 in./sec. (1,460.5 mm/sec.). The actuators are available with ball screws, roller screws and acme screws, and are compatible with most third-party servo and stepper motors (NEMA and metric). The motors can be mounted inline with the actuator or in a reverse-parallel motor mount for a more compact package with belt reduction options that offer flexibility in sizing the motor. All six sizes are available in 300-series stainless steel and with IP67 or IP69k options.
ERD products are round bodied, following the design of most pneumatic actuators in this performance class. The rear head of the actuator features an oversized main bearing to accommodate high thrust loads and provide long life. The main tube and thrust tube are made of stainless steel for high rigidity and corrosion resistance, while the metric-threaded nose mount accepts a jam nut that provides convenient mounting for many applications. Mounting options include a rear clevis, rear trunnion mount, foot mounts or a front flange mount.
The actuators can accommodate six different sensing or switching choices: reed, solid state PNP (sourcing) or solid state NPN (sinking), normally open, flying leads or quick-disconnect. The switches are activated by a standard internal magnet located inside the thrust tube. Commonly used for end-of-stroke positioning, these switches allow clamp-on installation anywhere along the actuator tube. All switches are CE rated and are RoHS compliant for environmental compatibility.
Tolomatic
www.tolomatic.com
Filed Under: TECHNOLOGIES + PRODUCTS, Actuators, Ball screws • lead screws, Design World articles
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