Electric actuators for presses and assembly

Describe the complete pressing cycle

Pressing, insertion, riveting and joining can combine a fast approach, a short high-force working stroke and a return. Record the force required through the travel, the speed during each stage and the time spent holding force. Identify whether force, position or both must be controlled and logged.

A high catalogue thrust is not a promise that the actuator can generate that force at maximum speed continuously. Mechanical life, motor heating, screw speed and lubrication all need checking for the actual cycle. The supporting frame and tooling also affect measured displacement and repeatability.

Compare the mechanism against the duty

Ball-screw and roller-screw actuators offer different combinations of capacity, life and cost. Selection should consider equivalent load over the cycle, working stroke, mounting, environment and service access. A stronger actuator is not automatically the right answer if the underlying problem is side loading or a poorly supported tool.

Ask how the process force is measured. Motor current can inform an estimate, but friction and transmission efficiency affect the relationship. Where process acceptance depends on force, discuss a suitable force-measurement and validation approach with the system designer.

Illustrative power check

For a hypothetical process requiring 5,000 N at 20 mm/s, mechanical output power at that operating point is 100 W: force multiplied by speed in metres per second. That is not a 100 W motor recommendation. Screw and gearbox losses, acceleration, peak duty and holding conditions remain to be included.

The actuator force and screw torque calculator helps make these assumptions visible. It does not calculate actuator life, buckling or machine safety.

Installation and scope of supply

Identify the mounting orientation, permissible envelope, rod end, guidance and external moments. A vertical or backdrivable mechanism may need a defined holding strategy. Guards, stopping behaviour and safety functions belong to the assessed machine design, not an assumption based on the actuator’s nominal rating.

For a hydraulic replacement, send the cylinder dimensions, pressure, stroke, cycle and reason for changing. Existing hydraulic-to-electric guidance covers the wider conversion questions. We can discuss an actuator, motor and drive quotation, with controls, sensors and integration responsibilities defined separately.