New high torque servo has long life.

CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA - In an internal test, SMAC's HT35 Motor has reached over 2.3 million cycles, marking a new record for the devices. In related news, the HT55 motor has reached 1.4 million cycles and running.

One of the key reasons for such high cycle life is the patented SMAC "Soft-Land" feature. Soft-Land is a patented unique routine which allows an SMAC actuator rod or gripper jaw to land on the surface of a component with a low programmed force. It gives extremely accurate sensing of product location or dimensions. This is particularly useful for handling delicate or high value components but a side effect of the Soft-Land routine is that SMAC actuators are less susceptible to wear over time, allowing for remarkably long life.

The routine consists of a controlled low force approach in velocity mode, while the position error is constantly monitored. Once contact is made the position error builds up until a pre-programmed figure is reached - resulting in the rod maintaining position on the surface of the component.

Many manufacturers have adopted electric servos and actuators, like SMAC Moving Coil Actuators, for its high speed, high precision, and flexible programming. SMAC electric actuators have programmable velocity, position and force, and the ability to give feedback on the work being done, while it is done.