Pulling, pushing, or pressing up to 1,000 kg
Rod type actuators and radial cylinders are electromechanical linear drives with up to four built-in linear guides. They are used for lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, or positioning loads.
Electric rod type actuators and radial cylinders from IAI are characterized by their compact design, mechanical stability, and high positioning accuracy of up to ± 5 μm. For stroke lengths of up to 1,000 mm, they can position payloads of up to 1,000 kg horizontally and 600 kg vertically.
In addition to the standard version, the linear drives are also available as short-stroke and heavy-duty actuators. Linear drives with IP54 to IP67 are also available for dusty or humid production environments.
Radial cylinders with built-in linear guides
Unlike rod type actuators, radial cylinders are equipped with built-in linear recirculating ball guides that absorb axial and radial loads. This suppresses vibrations when stopping.
Ready-to-install electric rod type actuators are supplied as complete, ready-to-mount units. They can be installed directly into a machine or system without any design or assembly work.
“Ready-to-install” means that the motor, gearbox, spindle, guide, and encoder are already integrated into a compact housing, so that the drive can be incorporated into the design as a finished module.
For the user, the effort is usually reduced to mechanical fastening and electrical connection (e.g., to an existing control system or a suitable control unit), without having to design their own drive concepts or additional components.
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Wide radial cylinders for high load torques
Thanks to its wide base frame and highly rigid push rod, the RCP6 WRA radial cylinder can absorb four times the permissible torque at the rod head compared to a normal-width radial cylinder.
This makes it equally suitable for applications with high load moments, such as pressing or riveting workpieces, tightening screws, or as a lifting device, as well as for use as a movable vertical axis in a Cartesian system.
Electric rod type actuators are electromechanical linear drives in which an electric motor extends and retracts a push rod linearly via a spindle, thus generating a lifting movement.
They are typically used for lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling or positioning loads as an alternative to pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders.
Absolute encoders provide the actual position at all times, eliminating the need for reference runs and allowing systems to start up faster and more safely. Position data is retained even during long power outages because the information is stored mechanically.
Advantages over incremental encoders
- Position is retained: Absolute encoders store the position and know it immediately after power-up, without homing or reference switches.
- Greater process reliability: No risk of mispositioning after a power failure; this is particularly important for vertical axes, robots or safety-critical movements.
Operation, accuracy, productivity
- No downtime due to reference runs: Machines can resume production immediately after an emergency stop or power failure, reducing set-up and downtime.
- High precision: They deliver absolute angle or length values directly with high resolution.
- No external home sensor required.
Battery-free absolute encoders offer the same advantages, but reduce battery costs, maintenance and failure risks, and make system start-up and shutdown easier. There are no material or labour costs and no downtime for replacing backup batteries. In addition, there is no need to monitor service life, stock levels or service intervals.
Electric rod type acutators with ball screws are not considered self-locking in terms of their design; they can be driven back under load. An additional brake is therefore recommended for vertical installation. This prevents the load from descending uncontrollably in the event of a standstill or power failure.
Technical background
Ball screws operate with rolling friction, are highly efficient and therefore have low friction – which is precisely what prevents reliable self-locking.
Consequences for practical application
For vertical applications, a brake, which is available as an option, should be ordered with IAI rod type actuators and radial cylinders. The brake, which is located between the motor and the spindle, closes automatically in the event of a power failure and holds the load. The length of the respective axis may vary as a result.
