SMAC’s Linear Actuators are Ideal Way of Testing Buttons, Switches and Other Human Operated Devices

Button and switch testing are an important aspect for OEMs and components manufacturers. SMAC linear actuators can be easily integrated into various types of switch testing applications, and enable 100% inline inspection with feedback of both force and position. SMAC linear actuators also provide the ability to verify hysteresis and switch differential in a single compact unit.

As with all SMAC electric actuators, SMAC linear actuators have independent control of position, speed, and force. Our unique feature ‘Soft-Land’ function allows the actuators to approach a surface at an unknown distance and land on it with a controlled force that can be as low as 10 grams. This feature is ideal for testing delicate components, or expensive materials.

SMAC electric actuators are successfully used in testing human operated devices such as cell phones, membrane keypads, touch screens, and sensors, among other mechanisms. SMAC’s electric actuators are also much sought after in the automotive industry, where they are employed for testing seat belt buttons, light switches, audio switches, cruise control switches, car navigation systems, trunk release switches, horn systems, etc.

Among the most notable features of SMAC electric actuators are:

• Force and position feedback in a single integrated unit
• The ability to capture and plot data to enable precise measurement of force versus position
• The ability to verify hysteresis and switch differential
• A single unit solution that performs both life test and qualitative test at the same time
• The unique ability of the SMAC electric actuators to be able to quantify and replicate the feel and touch of human fingers more accurately and precisely than humans themselves
• 100% data acquisition provision for SPC and quality inspection systems to comply with ISO / TS16949 standards

Please contact us if you feel your application might benefit from the SMAC Advantage. Please visit our website www.smac-mca.com to see our range of linear actuators, applications and videos.

SMAC’s Linear Actuator Range Offers Total Programmability

Whether an application calls for exceptionally high or low speeds, submicron accuracy or repeatability, SMAC linear actuators meet or exceed your expectations. With a slaes/support network across the world, SMAC Moving Coil Actuators has grown to become a leading player in electric actuators based on moving coil technology. What makes our actuators exceptionally unique is the fact that force, position and speed are totally programmable. Hundreds of positioning, measuring, inspection, and pick-and-place applications have benefited with the integration of SMAC linear actuators in their production and testing lines. Our actuators are ideal for operations where 100% verification is required.

The range and capability of SMAC's product line is expanding, and the cost is now approaching that of precision pneumatic component levels, with the significant advantage of having precise control and programmability of position, force and velocity. The latest addition, the LCA series of linear actuator comprises units with stroke from 10mm up to 200mm, peak force up to 90N. As with all of the SMAC range, LCA series of linear actuator has the unique ability to enable free and independent control of velocity, position and force simultaneously. In addition, the SMAC patented "Soft-Land" function is integrated to allow delicate and controlled force when landing on fragile components, especially in the electronics and glassmaking industry.

While our linear motors and actuators range are available with standard features and options, please contact us for any special requirements you may have. Feel free to visit our website www.smac-mca.com for an overview of our linear actuator product line. 

SMAC Long Life Linear Actuator for Packaging

Over the last 10 years, SMAC Inc. has developed new generation electric actuators that overcome problems with older motion generation technologies such as cam and pneumatic devices. Through the blogosphere, our existing as well as potential customers will be able to keep informed on our products, new initiatives and latest offers.

SMAC electric actuator has been known as a long life linear actuator,cycle life is comparable to cams and is easily 10 times that of air cylinders or more. This is due to linear guides with built in lubrication for the recirculation balls. It also should be noted that our electric actuators are based on the Moving Coil Technology which operate at low peak currents (less than 1.5Amp) as opposed to the heavier “Moving Magnet” technology which operates at high peak current and can fail due to overheating.

SMAC electric actuators are totally programmable. This allows users to program force, position and speed depending on requirements. We understand that “on-the-fly” adjustable movement is becoming a requirement not just a nice add-on feature in many industries. Switching from one product set-up to another in a few seconds via a computer program will also help reduce downtime of the production.

Here’s what sets apart SMAC electric actuator from the older motion technologies:

• They offer speeds that can match cams (>10Hz) and easily faster than pneumatic cylinders.
• Flexibility to run various products with a quick change over at the touch of a button. Multiple motion profiles (programs) can be stored/present in the SMAC controller.
• Our patented "Soft-Land" function allows delicate and controlled force when landing on fragile components.
• Longevity: they are known as a long life linear actuator, and typically run 100 million plus cycles.
• Return on investment: our latest product the LCA series of low cost linear actuators include all these advantages and are offered at competitive price.

Should you have any questions on SMAC electric actuators, please visit us at www.smac-mca.com and one of our engineers will be in touch.

SMAC Electric Actuator for Medical Applications

The medicine and biotechnology sector has a zero-defect requirement making it important to employ only the best testing devices. This is where SMAC’s latest innovation—a high-precision electric actuator with resolution of five nanometers plays a very constructive role. This actuator offers accurate positioning and placement for even the most critical scientific applications. Open-loop actuators often present the possibility of incremental errors, whereas SMAC's precision actuators are fully close-looped. With resolution as high as five nanometers, they provide extremely accurate position data and positioning capability.

The performance of this high-precision linear actuator can be understood by stating an example of an application that involves Push-Pull testing of hypodermic needles. In this application, one hypodermic needle is 100% tested at the rate of one per second to ascertain that every needle is securely affixed to its hub. To begin with, the needles are assembled and tested on a rotary index table. As each needle comes into the station, a gripper actuator grips the needle and a four pound force is applied. A position measurement is made, and if the needle separates, a defective part is instantaneously indicated. The use of a linear actuator eliminates human errors, and the overall time for production and testing will be improved.

For more information of applications with electric actuator please visit www.smac-mca.com. SMAC is constantly working on new and diverse applications with both OEMs and end-users across the world. If you have an application where you feel SMAC can be of help, please feel free to contact us and one of our engineers will be in touch. SMAC electric actuators are widely used in many industries such as automotive, electronic, glassmaking, medical and science, packaging and more.