Industrial Electronics

SMAC smart gage actuators outperform and replace LVDTs

03 March 2021

SMAC Moving Coil Actuators has introduced a series of electric gage actuators that provide gaging solutions with consistent, fast and precise control of the process. These electric gage actuators are easy to install, eliminate problems associated with the conventional pneumatic solutions and reduce maintenance time and cost. Their design is based on SMAC proprietary moving coil technology and include SMAC’s own encoders.

Affectionately known among SMAC engineers as the "linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) killer", the SMAC MSA/MLA series was born to compete directly against LVDTs and provide a complete measuring solution improving on the value seen with traditional LVDT solutions. While the LVTD has served various Source: SMAC CorporationSource: SMAC Corporationindustries for well over 50 years, little more advancement other than miniaturization and IP protection has come about in that time. Most applications require added cost over and above what the traditional linear variable differential transformers can provide. Some of these attributes are better linear resolution, longer strokes, programmable motion, soft-land, speed control, industrial robustness, longer life and price, all of which SMAC provides.

The MLA is an electric gage actuator with programmable, precision measurement. It achieves consistent measurement replications and improves processes by reducing gage repeatability and reproducibility (R&R) variation. It has repeatability and linearity of force no matter where it is operating in the stroke unlike LVDTs that utilize pneumatics or springs. It achieves smooth and consistent low friction over the entire stroke. The MLA has an internal precision linear guide as well as added side-loading support on the shaft. It can handle higher side-loads than most LVDTs. The MLA8 is the first model in the series and only 8 mm in width.

The MSA gage actuator is a simple solution that does not require additional module(s) externally, and allows users to go directly to their PLC/high speed counter card. It can handle higher side-loads and it is far more cost effective than traditional LVDTs. The MSA8 is the first model in the series. It is compact measuring only 95 mm x 28 mm x 8 mm for 10 mm stroke.

To contact the author of this article, email GlobalSpecEditors@globalspec.com


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