The Actuator Balancing Act
As electric actuators gain more acceptance in certain industries and applications, the continuing challenge for designers and operators will be to identify the cost and benefit of applications powered by electricity, hydraulics or pneumatics.
As a Hydraulics & Pneumatics article notes, “electric actuator systems are twice as efficient as hydraulic systems, but they can have higher upfront costs. However, the costs over the actuator’s life are substantially less if the increased performance, system flexibility, lower maintenance, process improvements and lower utility costs are factored in.”
Yet hydraulic actuators can pack a greater punch when it is needed. As another H&P article notes, “Electromechanical systems avoid the complexities of conventional topside hydraulic systems but require more space. Hydraulic actuators are more compact because they have greater power density, but they also require a large HPU with related topside infrastructure and footprint, as well as long hydraulic supply lines and couplers that can leak and compromise the environment.”
Thomas Blansett, technical director for the International Fluid Power Association, said in an H&P interview last year there needs to be more attention paid to how hydraulics are utilized. “Too many designers are using rules of thumb for sizing components rather than optimizing the design for the lowest energy loss and letting initial capital cost determine the solution when total cost of ownership and reliability of the system during its lifecycle should drive the design,” Blansett said.
As applications evolve, Blansett’s idea that cost, performance and reliability of actuators should be rigorously evaluated is one that deserved attention.
STLE Meeting Goes Virtual
In its 75th year, the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) has provided research, insight and leadership around the issues ranging from protecting equipment through the proper use of lubricants to the issues of energy and environmental management.
Like many other groups, STLE had planned a gala in-person event to mark its diamond anniversary. Like many other groups, those plans have been scaled back to a virtual event. The STLE Virtual Annual Meeting & Exhibition is scheduled for May 17-20, 2021. The four-day conference will leverage a user-friendly, virtual meeting platform that will safely provide attendees with a full conference experience, including daily keynote talks, live Q&A opportunities with academic and industry leaders, nearly 300 technical presentations, posters, virtual exhibits and a plethora of networking time with colleagues.
In addition, STLE will be offering five education courses virtually, before and after the general meeting, so participants can conveniently attend both the virtual conference and trade show and take as many courses as they desire. Click here to view the 2021 education course schedule.
