Traditionally, machines have used pneumatic or electric drives for linear motion. However, recent technological advancements have expanded the range of available options, often beyond what designers might expect. For instance, point-to-point electric drives are now more cost-effective and can substitute for some movements that were typically performed by pneumatic cylinders.
Equally, the latest pneumatic technologies now include features that were once exclusive to electric drives. New servo and digital pneumatic technologies have further diversified the choices. This makes the selection of an optimal solution that balances performance, cost, and energy efficiency a more complex task for designers and machine builders.
Design criteria
With so many linear motion technologies from which to choose, beginning with the application parameters and then deciding which product option will deliver the best solution is a sensible approach...
Read the full article in DPA's July 2024 issue