Festo has launched two high performance pneumatic linear actuators, extending the load-bearing capabilities of its popular DGC family to unprecedented levels. The new DGC-50 and 63 actuators feature internal piston diameters of 50mm and 63mm respectively, providing significantly more force and higher payload capacities than other actuators in the same series. The top-of-the-range version of the DGC-63, for example, can accommodate payloads in excess of one tonne - approximately 50% more than the previous largest model.
Festo’s DGC family of pneumatic rodless actuators now spans eight cylinder sizes, ranging from a tiny 8mm to 63mm. Standard models within this series offer velocities up to 3 m/s, forces as high as 1870 N and up to 5 metre stroke lengths as standard. DGC actuators employ a unique angled sealing mechanism between the carriage drive and the actuator body, which unusually for rodless actuators ensures virtually zero air leakage and facilitates the manufacture of extra long actuators for special applications. Festo has supplied DGC actuators with stroke lengths of up to 9 metres to special order.
DGC series actuators offer a choice of three types of carriage guide, to best suit the application and the load. The basic guide features a plain polymer bearing suitable for light loads; the medium load guide also uses plain polymer bearings running on a guide rail compactly integrated as part of the actuator extrusion, and is factory-adjusted for optimum performance; and the high-performance guide uses stainless steel caged and sealed recirculating ball bearings. The latter type can handle very smooth and high speed movements, has zero backlash, and is capable of accommodating loads that apply a high moment of torque to the carriage, such as cantilever and offset loads.
Further increasing the versatility of the DGC series, Festo has also introduced a wide range of additional functions that can be configured, priced, built, tested and delivered as a single assembly. These include a mid-position stop module called a DADM unit and a very neat integrated displacement encoder. The DADM caters for motion sequences that require any number of intermediate positions, such as work-piece handling. It is easily mounted on the actuator and provides a cost-effective alternative for dynamic applications demanding high mid-position accuracy. The DADM is suitable for both right- and left-hand approach movements, enabling the full dynamic performance capabilities of DGC series actuators to be realised. The displacement encoder can be used for measuring or closed loop positioning control, providing a very neat and cost-effective positioning option pitched below the cost and dynamic performance of an electrical servo axis.
Festo assembles DGC actuators at its central production centre, providing delivery of standard actuators within a few days, and is also able to offer customers a 24-hour emergency actuator replacement service.