Design and development of a ball-screw and electrical motor driven industrial electromechanical cylinder

Abstract

This paper presents a study on the implementation of converting an industrial pneumatic cylinder into an electromechanical cylinder drivetrain using a ball-screw mechanism and stepper motor (ECDLSM). Due to the fact that pneumatic cylinders in the industry are generally used in on-off operating mode, electric actuators provide more precise motion control (position, speed, acceleration, and force) along with providing superior accuracy and repeatability. The mechanical and electrical efficiency, force, and position errors of the ECDLSM have been examined based on the position, velocity, and acceleration profiles to the cylinder mechanism with the established test setup which consists of a current and force sensor, incremental and linear encoders, and springs. The highest ratio of the force applied-double spring was performed to verify the accuracy of the analysis results by interpreting the force data and position errors collected from the ECDLSM. The analysis results show that the ECDLSM is very useful and flexible as much as its counterparts.