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Linear Actuator that has fast response time

Linear Actuator that has fast response time

Linear Actuator that has fast response time

(OP)
I am looking for a linear actuator that has response time in ms and is able to generate max force of 125lbs, 0.125" stroke length, max 250mm/sec speed.
Can any electromechanical cylinder, electric actuator, voice coil etc meet this requirement?

Thank you for any information.

RE: Linear Actuator that has fast response time

Your max speed spec limits response to >10 ms, neglecting acceleration.
Why do you care about peak speed? Just curious.

It probably doesn't matter; getting response under 50ms is difficult when any mechanical part or large force is involved.

Not impossible; see "Lucas Helenoid" for a historical reference that didn't quite make it.

Solenoids are capable of large forces, but only for a short portion of their stroke, and their inductance limits the rise time of current (and force), so you may need a driver circuit that whacks it with high voltage, then applies a much lower voltage to keep it in place. Such circuits have been done, but development can be expensive because they tend to turn to smoke when things don't go according to plan.

I once knew a PhD who analyzed a solenoid and its mechanical environment and its driver circuit, all together in some kind of math model (before anybody had computers) in order to predict its performance, and then changed parameters in order to optimize the solenoid and everything else, in order to make the solenoid and such start a magnetic tape in response to an audio signal, and record the signal without a noticeable gap at the beginning of the recording. I don't think he ever got there until he started digitizing the audio and putting it through a long wide shift register that sort of duplicated a much older mechanical device that recorded the audio continuously on a continuously rotating ferrite drum and read it off the drum after half a rotation.

I can't do most of that analysis, and probably wouldn't bother trying anyway.

I'd start by ordering an assortment of solenoids and measuring what they can do in your apparatus, just to see how far out of the solution space you actually are.


Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

RE: Linear Actuator that has fast response time

(OP)
EdStainless and MikeHalloran,

Thanks a lot for the reply.

Basically my system has two actuators, actuator under test and loading actuator which is the one I am looking for. The loading actuator imitates a load of the linear actuator under test (UUT).
the loading actuator generates force against the linear actuator UUT's movement.
the force profile which is generated by loading actuator and distance and velocity profile which are generated by UUT are attached.
Distance, velocity and force profiles need to be synchronized which requires high accuracy of the control response time.

Any opinion about this implementation? feasibility, risks, key points, any other way to do it, etc?

Thanks again for your help.


RE: Linear Actuator that has fast response time

Search: Clark Synthesis tactile transducer, basically a voice coil on a threaded coupling. But you may not be able to hold a position without heating it up too much?

If it's a one shot operation (or at least a few seconds between cycle time) consider spring load and latch, with a slow linear actuator to reset it?

RE: Linear Actuator that has fast response time

(OP)
Hi 1gibson,

Thanks for the reply.
I wonder how the force profile can be implemented by using spring load.

RE: Linear Actuator that has fast response time

For a test system, you probably should be talking to Moog.

Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

RE: Linear Actuator that has fast response time

Take a look at Sturman Industries. They have high performance EHA's designed for engine valve actuation that might meet your requirements.

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