It can be challenging to decide between electric actuators and other types. Every motion has benefits and drawbacks of its own. Furthermore, replacing one type of actuation with another is uncommon. Typically, one method of actuation will be much more advantageous for an application than all others.
This blog post will assess the benefits and drawbacks of employing electric actuators, particularly in terms of safety and energy savings, in an effort to help you make your decision.
Energy and efficiency savings
Electric linear actuators offer incredibly precise positioning and control. Additionally, this kind of actuator has a low running cost and aids in the adaptation of machines to flexible processes. This indicates that an electric system is cost-effective and efficient in terms of energy use.
Electric when it comes to situations where numerous points of location are necessary, actuation is the most effective choice. This is because to carry out the same kinds of motion, pneumatic cylinders require the coupling of numerous accessories. Long-term, this results in higher costs and decreased accuracy and efficiency.
Electric actuators are superior to pneumatic or hydraulic ones in another way: they can start and stop practically instantly when instructed to do so. There are no lags or delays.
In order to maintain pressure on pneumatic cylinders, your compressor must work continuously. On the other hand, electric actuators only need to operate when work needs to be done. This translates into lower electric expenditures for your company.
Electric actuation has several advantages.
Is frequently the ideal option for applications that need speed, accuracy, flexibility, and control. Here are a few additional significant benefits of electric actuators.
Key benefits
- Extremely precise placement and control
- Being able to halt at any time during a stroke
- Simple acceleration and deceleration controls
- No outside sensors
- A low cost of operation
- Assist in converting equipment to flexible processes
- Heightened efficiency at high speeds
- Very little maintenance
- Minimal chance of contamination
Problems with electric actuators
Electric actuation appears to have a lot of advantages. But surely there must be some drawbacks as well? It appears that they are. A higher initial equipment cost can be a glaring drawback. For your knowledge, we’ve included a couple more drawbacks below.
Disadvantages
- Non-explosion resistant
- Vibrating vibrations easily
- Advanced technologies
- Low thrust at high speeds
- High thrust, slow movement
Summary
In comparison to hydraulic and pneumatic actuators, electric actuators have several advantages. Electric actuators, however, also have drawbacks. We advise contacting a specialist for assistance in choosing the appropriate linear actuator for your application’s demands and requirements. The initial expense of electro-hydraulic actuators is its main drawback, particularly when several units need to be built or deployed. Initial costs are higher than those of conventional hydraulics or pneumatics. They are not risk-free in all circumstances.
Are electro-hydraulic actuators the best option?
All three hydraulic technologies—hydraulic linear, pneumatic, and electric—have a place in industrial settings, even though electro-hydraulic actuators undoubtedly have their advantages. Unfortunately, there isn’t a single system that can be used for all applications. It is best to take the necessary time to determine which type of hydraulics is appropriate for the project and the work at hand before implementation.
Electric actuator
Veterans of the industry may be aware that, at one point, electric actuators simply were not economically or commercially viable, especially given their inferior strength to some of the alternatives. That’s not the case anymore, as technology has not only made significant advancements but has also recently continued to become more common and capable. Its use is beginning to appear in several industries including manufacturing, aviation, building, and others.
