voice coil vs. solenoid cost?
voice coil vs. solenoid cost?
(OP)
Hi,
I am debating using voice coil as a linear actuator for a design, and I am trying to get an idea of their cost. It seems like the are much more costly than solenoids, which have essentially the same components minus the permanent magnet. Any idea for why this is? Thanks
I am debating using voice coil as a linear actuator for a design, and I am trying to get an idea of their cost. It seems like the are much more costly than solenoids, which have essentially the same components minus the permanent magnet. Any idea for why this is? Thanks





RE: voice coil vs. solenoid cost?
Solenoids are produced in much larger volumes using stampings of cheap raw material like transformer plate and there is no need for tight tolerances.
Solenoid coils are wound on forms while most voice-coils are self-supporting and usually limited by available cooling.
The linear movement used for voice-coils is usually a lot more sophisticated than the plunge-and-spring used in solenoids.
Voice-coils are faster and more linear so I would say there are two distinctly different application areas. Your application must be somewhere in-between if you consider using either technology.
Gunnar Englund
www.gke.org
--------------------------------------
100 % recycled posting: Electrons, ideas, finger-tips have been used over and over again...
RE: voice coil vs. solenoid cost?
RE: voice coil vs. solenoid cost?
Wound on form means that there is a coil former and that the winding process is fast and cheap. The voice-coil is self-supporting (no room for a coil former in the air gap) and that is a more costly procedure.
Gunnar Englund
www.gke.org
--------------------------------------
100 % recycled posting: Electrons, ideas, finger-tips have been used over and over again...
RE: voice coil vs. solenoid cost?
RE: voice coil vs. solenoid cost?
The ferofluid to my understanding basically increases the B-field strength in the gap so a smaller magnet can be used. This also increases the drag of the bobbin since ferofluid is more viscous. I will do a performance and cost analysis to see if this is worth it.
RE: voice coil vs. solenoid cost?
RE: voice coil vs. solenoid cost?
Gunnar Englund
www.gke.org
--------------------------------------
100 % recycled posting: Electrons, ideas, finger-tips have been used over and over again...