Thomson Introduces 48V Version of Electrak MD Actuator for Battery-Powered Systems
Thomson Industries Inc. has introduced a 48V version of its Electrak MD actuator to provide an option for battery-powered systems.
Key features of the 48V actuator include:
- ability to handle loads up to 2 kN (450 lbs.)
- lower current draw than lower voltage options
- reduced cabling and simplified cable management
- smart features such as position feedback
- longer distance deployment reduces voltage dropoff as much as 10 times
- higher controllability through integration of CANopen, SAE J1939
- expands actuator options for design teams, offering flexibility to use 12, 24 and 48V options.
Higher Voltage Actuator Meets Evolving Industry Design Needs
As battery technology as improved, its use in various applications has increased. Today, 48V batteries are standard in many applications which requires motion control technologies capable of working with those electric-powered systems.
As such, Thomson Industries chose to expand its line of Electrak MD actuators to now include a 48V version.
“The more electrical functionality and axes of motion on a vehicle, the more sense it makes to use higher-voltage batteries to drive the actuators. By upgrading our Electrak MD actuators to handle 48 volts, we have reduced the current draw to half that of a 24V actuator and a quarter of that of a 12V actuator," said Anders Karlsson, Senior Product Manager - Linear Actuators at Thomson. "This opens new doors to value-added innovation in mobile systems.”
With the actuator's ability to draw less current while providing comparable load handling as other options, a more energy efficient design can be achieved. This not only helps to reduce energy costs but also heat generation which can lead to maintenance issues as well as lower efficiency.
According to Thomson Industries, 48V batteries are being used in a number of material handling and agricultural equipment applications which the actuator can benefit such as forklifts and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) whether human or autonomously operated.
In agriculture equipment, the company said electric actuators such as Electrak MD are being used in electric power takeoff (ePTO) mechanisms to help transfer power from tractors to other vehicle equipment. The actuator's low current demand helps to make the entire system more efficient which can lead to improved efficiency for the entire piece of equipment.
The company said designers now have greater flexibility to mix and match 12, 24 and 48V-rated actuators to move loads of up to 25 kN, without having to configure subsystems such as DC converters.
“If you have automation on six or seven axes, each drawing about 5 amps, you may still need to design for 100 amps inrush for the motors, leaving little room to run actuators for ancillary functions such as adjustments and locking. With the Electrak MD 48V, you can make everything fit without having to reconfigure for a larger system than you need,” said Karlsson.
