Linear actuators to revolutionise automation with haptic precision

SMAC Moving Coil Actuators has introduced its new LPL32 linear actuator and LPS30 linear slide actuator, each developed to mimic the delicate touch of human fingers and provide users with unparalleled capabilities.

From testing smartphones to vehicle controls, even down to the smallest of watch parts, the demand for 'haptic' devices – those that apply force and motions that replicate the touch of human fingers – is soaring and crucial in today's manufacturing landscape.

Haptic applications have specific force requirements. SMAC LPL and LPS Series actuators, created to replace air cylinders, use a DC linear servo motor and are fully programmable for precise force control.

"Our configurable force, down to gram resolution, allows for adjustable speeds from meters to microns per second and pinpoints accuracy in micron-level positioning," said SMAC founder and CEO Ed Neff. "SMAC Moving Coil Actuators are the ideal end effectors to perform tasks once reserved for human hands, ranging from switch tests to smart lens assembly."

The new devices are employed for an array of haptic applications, from testing the pressure and motion required to activate functions on smartphone screens to repeatedly flipping switches to test durability.

The actuators feature 'Soft-Land' capabilities, which enable a robot to gently locate a solid surface, recognise it and seamlessly perform its task. As the actuators work, they collect real-time data-enabling built-in controllers to make informed decisions and take immediate action.

The company mitigates costs without compromising durability or performance. The new series actuators are manufactured with square steel tubing and high-strength neodymium magnets on all four sides for higher force than conventional linear motor designs. It also uses precision shafts, bushings, and anti-rotation dowel pins rather than more expensive recirculating ball linear guides, reducing moving mass and increasing acceleration.