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A rotary actuator is a device that produces rotational motion from an energy source. It operates on various principles such as electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic power. Rotary actuators transform energy into torque which is used to cause an object to rotate or revolve around an axis. The core idea is to convert energy from one form into a rotational movement. A common example of a rotary actuator is an electric motor, which uses electrical energy to create motion.
A distinction to note between a rotary actuator and a motor, specifically, is that while both create rotational motion, an actuator is typically part of a larger system providing controlled movement, whereas a motor might serve as the main source of power for a machine or device. Another is that most rotary actuators, specifically electrical, are closed loop.
The two most used types of rotary actuators are hydraulic and pneumatic. Hydraulic rotary actuators utilize the power of pressurized fluids to generate rotation, while pneumatic rotary actuators use the force of compressed gas.
There are also electric and thermal actuators to consider. Electric solenoids create linear motion when triggered, and piezoelectric actuators respond to electrical input with mechanical movement. In a HVAC system, for example, electric actuators are often used to control the opening and closing of dampers, adjusting the amount of airflow based on the heating or cooling requirements.
When selecting a rotary actuator, consider factors such as the required speed, torque, and whether the rotation needs to be continuous or limited to a specific angle. In addition to hydraulic and pneumatic sctuators, in terms of working, rotary actuators typically operate on the principle of leverage, using a control surface or lever arm connected to a pivot to convert linear motion to rotary motion. Understanding the intricacies of these mechanisms can significantly aid the design and control of various mechatronic systems.
Servo Motor & Rotary Actuators from Harmonic Drive® have many superior performance features including zero backlash, high accuracy, fast response time, high vacuum compatibility, and are available in a wide range of sizes, and hollow shaft designs. These electromechanical servo actuators are easy to use and offer quick implementation.
Harmonic Drive rotary actuators are compatible with most industry-standard controllers and amplifiers. Servo motor actuators are an assembly of a brush or brushless servo motor, zero backlash Harmonic Drive® strain wave gear, and a high capacity output bearing. These elements are contained within the housing. Electromate supplies rotary actuators throughout Canada in regions like Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec.
The SHA-SG Series servo-actuator delivers up to 30,000 in-lb of torque with positional accuracy below 1 arc-min and ±5 arc-sec repeatability. It has a hollow shaft design, inside diameter up to 65mm, and an output torque up to 3400 Nm. It features a 17bit magnetic absolute encoder and customization options for output bearing, gear reduction, and motor winding. Optional configurations include a "motor only" variant, a higher output speed hollow shaft planetary gear, and a 48V DC to 90V DC low voltage winding.
The SHA-CG Series actuators function as a lighter, compact alternative to direct drive motors, ideal for high precision rotary applications like indexing turn tables. They offer high accuracy output bearing with surface runout less than 10 microns and high torque. Features include a hollow shaft design, availability in four sizes, and direct connectivity with Mitsubishi Electric's MELSERVO-J4 SSCNET/H and Sigma7 servo drives from Yaskawa. A mounting base is also available.
The FHA-C Series AC servo actuators offer a compact design and hollow-shaft construction for potential downsizing and simplification of machinery or equipment. They exhibit high torque, rigidity, and accuracy with a built-in high-rigidity support mechanism. A series of multifunctional control units are available as part of their features.
The FHA-C Mini Series offers compact Hollow Shaft Actuators that combine a high precision Harmonic Drive® gear component with a pancake brushless servo motor. They provide high torque, accuracy, and repeatability. An incremental or multi-turn absolute encoder is integrated for velocity and position feedback. Its cross roller output bearing supports high loads directly. The features include a compact form factor, hollow-shaft design (for incremental encoder only), and a high torque to weight and volume ratio.
The FHA-C IP65 Series servo actuators, ideal for harsh environments, are available in four sizes (17, 25, 32, and 40) and are well suited for machine tool, packaging, and wash-down applications. They combine Harmonic Drive® precision strain wave gears with a performance-matched brushless servo motor and feature encoder options such as EnDat® & HIPERFACE®. With a low-profile form factor and a hollow-output shaft, they can accommodate cables, tubing, or lasers through the rotation axis. They are designed to operate with a variety of third-party servo drives, including those from Bosch, Mitsubishi, Siemens, and Kollmorgen, and are also compatible with the REL Driver at about half speed.
The RSF Series is compact and includes high-torque AC servo actuators with high rotational accuracy, a shaft output combining Harmonic Drive® strain wave gearing for precision control and an AC servo motor. This is combined with a dedicated servo drive that fully demonstrates the performance of the RSF series of implements compact machines and equipment with a high rotational accuracy. Features include:
Compact and lightweight High power High positioning and high rotational accuracies
The RSF Series combines compact, high-torque AC servo actuators with high rotational accuracy and a shaft output. It utilizes Harmonic Drive® strain wave gearing for precision control and an AC servo motor. Paired with a dedicated servo drive, it optimizes the RSF series' performance and supports the implementation of compact machines and equipment with high rotational accuracy. Its key features are compactness, lightweight, high power, and high positioning and rotational accuracies.
The RSF Supermini Series, an ultra-miniature brushless servo actuator, combines a zero-backlash Harmonic Drive® gearhead with a high-performance servo motor for high torque and precision. The output shaft is supported by a 4-point contact bearing, allowing direct load mounting. Performance-matched servo drives enhance the capabilities of these high-performance actuators. Its compactness and high output torque make it beneficial for machinery and equipment designs with limited space. Features include high accuracy, a high flex encoder cable, and an optional brake available for the RSF-5B model.
The RSF Supermini Series offers an ultra-miniature brushless servo actuator that pairs a zero-backlash Harmonic Drive® gearhead with a high-performance servo motor, resulting in high torque and precision. Its output shaft, supported by a 4-point contact bearing, allows for direct load mounting. Additionally, performance-matched servo drives optimize the actuators' high-performance capabilities. Compact with high output torque, it fits well in machinery and equipment designs with space constraints. Key features include high accuracy, a high flex encoder cable, and an optional brake for the RSF-5B model.
The RH Mini Series DC servo actuators are high-powered units designed for smooth, speedy, and accurate control of machinery and equipment. These actuators combine a high level of positional accuracy and resolution with a compact, lightweight configuration. Designed with an optimal magnetic circuit, these highly responsive DC servomotors can significantly reduce positioning time and are supported by large, high-precision bearings for large loads. The key features of the RH Mini Series include compactness, high power, and high positioning and rotational accuracies.
