Best Way to Get Info on Actuators

Welcome to the age of information overload.

If it's military, there's the qualified products list. (QPL)

Below is a selection of selections. Each will list many suppliers. You might search Global Spec, the sponsor of this forum.

Valve Actuators Pneumatic Actuators Linear Actuators Rotary Actuators Hydraulic Actuators Electrical Actuators Electromechanical Actuators Robotic Actuators Aircraft Actuators Servo Actuators Electrohydraulic Actuators Brake Actuators Electromagnetic Actuators Solenoid Actuators Aerospace Actuators

We also have some knowledgeable designers here who probably will be more help than I have been.

Welcome to CR4.

For hirel we've used MPC and Moog. I'm not sure where you would post a commercial RFP except to send to individual vendors. If you're a government contract there's a place for posting federal procurements (I don't know where that place is.)

RZV

Thanks, We're in Oyster Bay, NY

I do have most of these off the top of my head

Force = 3,000 lbs, that's total including safety and shock loading

Stroke 5.25"

rotary aprox 90 degrees - we could go with either a rotary or linear. If we can find a small enough linear actuator to fit an inside space - 2.5"x 3.5" that would be optimum. I expect, however that we will be forced to use 1 or 2 symmetrical actuators on the outside of this rotating unit.

12 volt DC

no pneumatic or hydraulic available from existing systems

Marine environment, must be submergable in slatwater

It could be a screw, rodless, track, no specific requirements

I don't knnow what IP ratings are - speed?

thanks for all your help.

Skip

Well, That does narrow it down considerably. I have a feeling you need to focus in on your marine/submersible condition first, that will narrow you down to only a few products right off the bat. Then if you filter out everything but 12VDC, you might be left with nothing, but I could be wrong. I'll do some searching around and see what I come up with.

You cannot get a stroke of 5.25" out of an actuator that is only 3.5" in length (unless it's telescoping, which I have never seen for this size).

3000Lbs should not be a problem (if Hydraulic), may be a problem if 12VDC, and can be a problem if pneumatic.

12VDC, however, might be.

And your saltwater submerge, definitely will be.

IP ratings are called Ingress Protection Ratings, and specify how much if any water/dust etc gets into the device. Some IP ratings only offer rain protection, while others are washdown approved, while others yet can survive a complete submersion.

I'll get back to you.

Skip,

Looks like some hefty criteria.

Is it possible to enclose the device, removing the seawater submersion requirement?

Is it possible to install a small hydraulic HPU and run this using hydraulics? I think you will find that you have many more options.

I did a quick initial poking around, and found out that you are looking at big $$ to have something custom made under all your current requirements.

How set are you on 12VDC electric actuation? If you can drop this requirement, you'll have 10X the number of options.

RVZ

I greatly appreciate your help and ideas. This is a retrofit job for a product where the best place (centerline) for mounting has the worst angles to do the work. 3,000 lbs is a function of those bad angles.

The 12VDC and salt water are requirements although it won't live underwater, it might get submerged occasionally.

The 2.5" length x 3.5" width box is actually about 6" in height but then narrows to .75" below the 6" section.

We are currently working out the specs for an external system where 2 symmetrical actuators may be positioned at favorable angles with no space constraints. Even though this will not be as pleasing to the customer, it will most likely be the practical solution.

Skip

I think you are on the right track, Sometimes you have to give up some of your esthetically pleasing design to old father function.

While it's usually said "Form, Fit, Function" I ALWAYS design the other way around.

First, It MUST function correctly, or all other aspects mean beans.

Second, It has to Fit in the space allowed, and play nice with it's surroundings.

Third comes your eye pleasing touches, Things to make the customer say, wow, this is way better than the other guys.

But it sounds like you already know the solution. Without knowing more info, I can only add the points that Linear actuators can provide much more force in general, and when used right can generate some reliable rotary motion, but as you know, it all comes down to the geometry.

Good luck with the project, let us know how it goes!

-R

Good answer indeed...

Skip

Have you considered trim tab cylinders for marine applications? They are 12 vdc and could handle your environmental conditions.

Hi Elroy

Yes, that's a good idea. Lenco is on my list - do you know of any others?

Skip

Bennett, Lectrotab, Nuaticus, Insta trim, and Rocket Flap are a few. I'm sure ther are many more if you search the web. Bennett is the only one I have had experience with. They work well on our boat.

Good Luck Elroy

Elroy

Thanks for the good info.

Skip