Advanced Electropneumatic Positioning Achieves Dynamic Force Control (.PDF Download)

Nov. 17, 2017
Advanced Electropneumatic Positioning Achieves Dynamic Force Control (.PDF Download)

Linear devices that lift, move, and place a load require tight closed-loop positioning accuracy, which either pneumatic and electromechanical technologies can provide. However, between the two technologies, variables affect manufacturing costs, safety, and productivity in different ways. Moreover, recent developments in applying multiple closed-loop control to electropneumatic positioning systems (EPS) bring a new level of precision and safety by using dynamic force control to maintain load position, overcoming traditional E/P, and electromechanical system limitations.

How Electromechanical and Pneumatic Systems Differ

Electromechanical positioning systems. With any positioning system, accuracy is critical, including along any point of the motion path, but also at the actuator endpoint. An electromechanical system (EMS) performs positioning tasks by using electric servomotors and servocontrollers with toothed belt axes, spindle axes, or electromechancial cylinders to move loads.

An advantage of an EMS is that it can accommodate high-speed production systems that require high accuracy for positioning control.