| In this article I want to discuss the different actuators | | | | Example 1; I have a tilting arm on top of a conveyor |
| that are used in both hydraulics and pneumatics. | | | | belt that I want to raise and lower a cleaning brush |
| Linear actuators, are most common such as hydraulic | | | | during running of the conveyor to clean it. Can I do it |
| and pneumatic cylinders. The advantage of hydraulic | | | | with a linear or rotary actor? The answer is BOTH, but |
| cylinders over pneumatic cylinders is that you get so | | | | this depends on how much space, how far the brush |
| much more power due to higher pressures. While | | | | has to move and it is all relative to the application. Say |
| pneumatic linear actuators (cylinders) give very | | | | you need 16" of travel for the actuator to lower the |
| inexpensive and functionality in certain industrial | | | | brush to the belt, providing the distance will allow for |
| application that do not require high forces such as the | | | | clearance of a 16" stroke cylinder this would be a good |
| food industry, pharmaceutical industry and a lot of | | | | application. However if the quarters are tight and there |
| others. Remember Pneumatic is limited to | | | | is not enough clearance then a rotary actuator may |
| approximately 120 psi. and this times the area equals | | | | be the best application to use and apply during pivot |
| the power. | | | | arms for the torque. |
| Rotary actuators, are hydraulic and pneumatic motors, | | | | I think you see, Fluid Power is an applied product not |
| fixed rotary actuators that give a set motion of 90 | | | | just something you call up and get without knowing |
| deg. to 180 deg. rotation in back and forth motions. | | | | something about. Having a better understanding of fluid |
| Another version of the rotary actuators is the Rack | | | | power (hydraulics and pneumatics) is so important to |
| and Pinion type where there are opposing cylinders | | | | the person marketing this type of applied product. One |
| moving back and forth across a rack and pinion which | | | | cannot expect to get any technical or design help from |
| in turn produces a rotating motion output at a preset | | | | some of the large companies that only sell from a |
| rotational movement. The motors continue to turn in | | | | page in a book and an item number. This is most |
| either a uni-directional fashion or a bi-directional fashion | | | | important to the end user, and should be taken into |
| providing torque for rotary movement. Based on the | | | | consideration when looking at fluid power components |
| requirement of the equipment and design this | | | | and selecting vendors. I will be discussing this in detail in |
| determines whether you use hydraulic or pneumatic. | | | | future articles. |
| The critical part of applying any actuator is | | | | If you continue to follow my articles I will attempt to |
| understanding first what you want it to do, how much | | | | explain the components and details used in fluid power |
| power you will need to accomplish the task and how | | | | and will give you access to join my monthly eBooks |
| to functionally create the circuit needed to control it. | | | | and videos for the most inexpensive and |
| This applies whether it is hydraulic or pneumatic. | | | | comprehensive Fluid Power Training on the planet. |