Thomson Industries, Inc., has announced availability of new synchronization capabilities for its Electrak HD heavy duty
electromechanical linear actuators. Designers of equipment in which large or awkward loads must be moved repeatedly and
evenly, such as large solar panels or heavy hoods on construction equipment, can now simultaneously distribute that load
using up to four actuators.
Traditional methods for synchronizing multiple actuators can be inflexible. Gas spring technology, for example, is limited
in application, while hydraulic cylinders can be prone to leakage and costly to maintain. Non-integrated electronic
systems have more flexibility and are cleaner but require external devices such as encoders and potentiometers to track
position and send feedback to an external PLC or other logic solver.
“The ability to synchronize movement of large and potentially awkward loads is something our customers have been
requesting as they seek to automate larger applications or improve ergonomics,” said Chad Carlberg, product line manager
for industrial actuators at Thomson. “We are pleased to announce that we have tapped into the advanced electronics
capabilities of our popular Electrak HD heavy duty linear actuator technology to achieve synchronization more easily and
cost effectively than is possible with any other available approach.”
Thomson achieves its synchronization by embedding all load handling technology into a single electromechanical actuator,
which is then wired in sequence with up to three other similarly equipped actuators. Designers install these wherever
linear movement is needed without the need for external assemblies. Once the actuators are installed, customers
synchronize them instantly by wiring them together and operating a single unit with a simple switch. During operation,
system electronics detect speed changes that indicate load imbalances, thereby eliminating bouncing or other effects of
imbalance.
By using multiple actuators, synchronization increases system movement speed more efficiently. A larger load that might
normally use a single, heavy load actuator, for example, could be moved faster by combining multiple, lower load
actuators. Synchronization also retains all Electrak HD mechanical capabilities, including the handling of bidirectional
loads of up to 10 kN (2250 lbf) with stroke lengths up to 1,000 mm (39 in) and accuracy of 1% of stroke from 100-1,000 mm.
High-quality ball screw assemblies provide efficient current draw and support speed options up to 43.5 mm/sec (1.7 in/sec)
(using the 1.7 kN [382 lbf] version).
Additional applications include industrial logistics trains, doors on large processing equipment, medical equipment,
marine, and automatic doors in factories and warehouses.
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