In short:High-force rod actuators with planetary roller screws, integrated-motor actuators and hygienic stainless designs from other makers can stand in for many Exlar series, as long as force, stroke, speed, screw life, mounting and the drive interface are checked against the real duty cycle.
What Exlar makes
Exlar is an electric actuator brand of Curtiss-Wright, now presented under the Curtiss-Wright Actuation Division. It is best known for planetary roller screw actuators that replace hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders on high-force, high-duty axes. Exlar is a trademark of its owner.
The current range falls into three groups. Integrated linear actuators (GTX, GTW for weld guns, GSX and the hygienic GTF) build a servo motor around a roller screw. Universal linear actuators (FTX, the FTP press actuator and KX) take a separate motor. Tritex II actuators add the servo drive into the unit as well. Engineers use them in presses, test rigs, weld guns, valve and damper control and food processing.
Why engineers look for an Exlar alternative
- Lead time on a specific frame and lead, especially for production builds.
- Legacy series. Curtiss-Wright lists the FT Series as a legacy product that is no longer available and recommends the FTX. Other older lines, such as the Tritex TDX, appear on its legacy products page. Our find a replacement service can check both the maker’s recommended successor and other options.
- Second source for an axis that would stop a production line.
- Budget, where the force requirement does not need the top of the range.
- Integration choices, such as wanting a hygienic stainless body, a different drive brand or a fieldbus the original does not offer.
What makes a roller screw actuator truly equivalent
- Force. Continuous and peak thrust, and the force at your actual speed, not only the stall figure.
- Screw type and lead. Roller, ball or acme, and the lead that gives your speed at a sensible motor speed.
- Life. Rated screw life (L10) at your mean load and travel. A higher force rating with a shorter life is not equivalent.
- Stroke and speed. Including critical speed at long strokes.
- Motor and feedback. Winding voltage, resolver or encoder type, and whether your existing drive can run it.
- Mounting. Front flange, trunnion, clevis or side mounts, rod end thread and anti-rotation.
- Environment. IP rating, washdown, temperature range and any food-contact requirements.
- Side loads. Most rod actuators need external guidance for side or offset loads.
Our ball screw vs roller screw guide and how to size a linear actuator explain the life and force checks.
Roller screw and integrated actuator alternatives
From Tolomatic, the RSA-HT high-thrust rod actuator offers roller screw options and reaches 58 kN on its largest size, and the RSX Extreme Force actuator goes to 294 kN for hydraulic cylinder replacement. Where the motor should be built in, the IMA integrated motor actuator drives a ball or roller screw directly and is rated up to 30.6 kN. For washdown areas, the IMA-S stainless integrated actuator and the RSH hygienic rod actuator are both IP69K rated (static).
For moderate loads where a ball screw is acceptable, the SRB linear servo actuator is a ball-screw electric cylinder in seven frame sizes up to 49 kN, with inline or reverse-parallel motor mounting.
If you are converting from hydraulics, start with our hydraulic to electric actuator guide and the linear actuator selection guide, or browse the linear actuators hub.
About these comparisons
The table below this text lists each Exlar series we hold data for alongside the closest product from our supply network, compared on published figures only. “Equivalent” means a product that meets the stated specification for your application, as confirmed by an engineer; it is not a claim that the products are identical. Specify Motion is not affiliated with, authorised by or endorsed by Exlar or Curtiss-Wright, and no logos are used. Brand and model names are used only to identify the products.
Send us the model code and force profile and we will tell you which option fits, including when the original remains the best choice.
Exlar series and the closest match from our supply network
Each row compares the highest published figures for the series. A match here is a starting point: an engineer confirms the fit for your load, duty, mounting and interface before recommending anything.
| Exlar series | Type | Closest match |
|---|---|---|
| FT SeriesLegacy | Roller screw actuator | Tolomatic RSA-HT (high thrust) meets 2 of 3 figures Meets 2 of 3 figures compared |
| FTP Series (press actuator) | Roller screw actuator | Tolomatic RSA-HT (high thrust) meets 2 of 3 figures Meets 2 of 3 figures compared |
| FTX Series | Roller screw actuator | Tolomatic RSA-HT (high thrust) meets 2 of 3 figures Meets 2 of 3 figures compared |
| GSX Series | Integrated-motor actuator | Tolomatic IMA Integrated Motor Actuator meets 2 of 3 figures Meets 2 of 3 figures compared |
| GTF Series | Hygienic stainless actuator | Tolomatic RSH Hygienic Rod Actuator meets 2 of 3 figures Meets 2 of 3 figures compared |
| GTW Series (weld gun actuator) | Integrated-motor actuator | Tolomatic IMA Integrated Motor Actuator meets 2 of 3 figures Meets 2 of 3 figures compared |
| GTX Series | Integrated-motor actuator | Tolomatic IMA Integrated Motor Actuator meets 2 of 3 figures Meets 2 of 3 figures compared |
| KX Series | Roller screw actuator | Tolomatic RSA-HT (high thrust) meets or exceeds the figures compared Meets or exceeds all 3 figures compared |
| Tritex II T2X (AC linear actuator) | Integrated-motor actuator | Tolomatic IMA Integrated Motor Actuator meets or exceeds the figures compared Meets or exceeds all 3 figures compared |
| Tritex TDX (Tritex II DC linear actuator)Legacy | Integrated-motor actuator | Tolomatic IMA Integrated Motor Actuator meets or exceeds the figures compared Meets or exceeds all 3 figures compared |
| Tritex TTX Series | Integrated-motor actuator | Tolomatic IMA Integrated Motor Actuator meets or exceeds the figures compared Meets or exceeds all 3 figures compared |
Specify Motion is not affiliated with Curtiss-Wright Actuation Group. Brand and series names are used only to identify products. Comparisons use published figures; always confirm against the current datasheet.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct equivalent to the Exlar GTX?
The GTX combines a servo motor and planetary roller screw in one housing. Integrated-motor rod actuators from other makers do the same job, but frame sizes, rod ends, mounting options and motor windings differ. Compare continuous and peak force, stroke, speed, screw lead and the motor feedback your drive needs, then check the mounting. An engineer can confirm whether a like-for-like match exists for your size.
What replaced the Exlar FT Series?
Curtiss-Wright's FT Series page states that the FT is a legacy product and no longer available, and recommends the FTX high-force actuators or contact with a representative. If you have FT units in service, compare the FTX against your force and stroke first. A roller screw actuator from our supply network can also be checked against the same figures.
Can a ball screw actuator replace an Exlar roller screw actuator?
Sometimes. A ball screw can match the force and speed on paper, but a planetary roller screw usually carries more load in the same diameter and lasts longer under high, continuous thrust. If the application runs near the top of its force rating, at high duty or with shock, keep a roller screw. At moderate loads a ball screw can be a sound, lower-cost choice.
What about the Tritex integrated drive actuators?
Tritex units put the servo drive inside the actuator. Most alternatives integrate only the motor and need a separate drive, which changes the wiring, cabinet space and commissioning. If keeping the drive on board matters, say so in the enquiry. If a cabinet drive is acceptable, the choice of alternatives is much wider.
What should I send to get an Exlar equivalent proposed?
Send the current model code, the force profile with peak and continuous thrust, stroke, speed, cycle rate and hours per day, mounting and rod-end details, orientation, side loads, ambient temperature, IP or washdown needs, supply voltage, and the controller or drive you use. With those figures an engineer can check screw life and motor heating properly.
Sources
- Curtiss-Wright Actuation Division: Exlar electric actuator products
- Curtiss-Wright: Exlar FT Series (legacy product notice)
- Curtiss-Wright: Exlar legacy products
Figures are summarised from the sources above and from manufacturers' published data on the date shown. Always confirm against the current datasheet for your exact part.