The US actuator developer Exlar has announced a range of DC-powered linear and rotary actuators that, it claims, set new standards for power density from integrated actuators. The company has used thermal management modelling techniques to achieve the high power densities of the Tritex II actuators, which integrate power and control electronics in a compact package with brushless servomotors and actuators.

The actuators (above), which operate from 12–48V DC supplies, can deliver continuous forces of around 4.5kN (with peaks of 5.8kN) and can reach speeds of 83cm/s. The self-contained systems eliminate the need for control panels, costly servo feedback and power cables, as well as cutting labour costs.

The linear versions, in 60mm and 75mm frame sizes, use Exlar`s rollerscrew technology to convert rotary motion to linear motion, without needing any extra mechanisms. They are available in stroke lengths from 75–450mm, with leadscrews from 2.54–12.7mm.

The rotary versions, in 60mm and 90mm frame sizes, offer the option of integrated planetary gears with ratios from 4:1 to 100:1, to deliver torque outputs to 530Nm.

The actuators provide digital and analogue I/O and support communications protocols including Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP and Profinet IO. Dedicated software is available for configuring and controlling the actuators.