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Product ReleaseQuality of Injection Molded Parts Can Be Improved with New Electrical Valve Gating Actuator offered by Tol-O-Matic
 ServoGate™ Electric Linear Actuator replaces complex hydraulic valve gating for improved quality and repeatability TOL-O-MATIC has announced the ServoGate™—a new, patent-pending electric servo actuator designed for valve gate control applications, in particular those in injection molding applications. The ServoGate actuator is the first compact, high performance electric actuator developed specifically to replace the bulky hydraulic valve manifolds and hydraulic power systems used for valve gate control and sequencing. By eliminating a number of variables found in fluid power systems, such as fluid bulk modulus and viscosity changes, the ServoGate actuator delivers precise gate control in a compact package measuring less than 7.0” X 7.0” (17.8 cm X 17.8 cm). “For years, veterans of hot runner molding technology have looked for the perfect valve gate. ServoGate’s all-electric solution improves shot accuracy and repeatability of injection molded parts, regardless of whether it’s applied to a standard or all-electric injection press," said Gary Rosengren, Director of Engineering. “The ServoGate actuator also offers significantly extended service life, zero maintenance and improved throughput—while eliminating the environmental costs and hazards of dealing with hydraulic fluids.” Rosengren added that ServoGate is a completely integrated design— a major departure from belt coupled, reverse parallel (RP) designs with separate motor and actuator components. TOL-O-MATIC’s Axiom® Plus PV brushless servo controller/drive controls the ServoGate linear actuator. A threaded rod connected to the valve gate passes through the hollow shaft of the actuator, precisely positioning the gate with speed and precision repeatability over millions of cycles. ServoGate offers continuous force of 500 pounds, and features less than 0.5 second cycle times for .75” extension to the 500 lb. seat and retraction. The system is water cooled to operate with peak performance at 400°F. Nominal length and diameter is less than 7.0” X 7.0” including water jacket, with a standard stroke of 0.5” (other strokes are available on request). ServoGate includes easy-to-use, Windows® based Tol-O-Motion software that offers simple point-and-click sequential programming for the valve gate control requirements of different parts. A PLC ladder logic editor provides a familiar programming environment, with no need to learn new code. |
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Tol-O-Matic has announced the SW Series Servo Welding Actuator—a patented new design that offers compact design, significantly extended service life and zero maintenance. Available in high performance roller screw or a ball screw models, the SW Series actuator features rated life at weld force exceeding 10 million cycles for the roller screw and 5 million for the ball screw when side loading is within specification. In many applications, service life can exceed these levels.
The SW Series Actuators incorporate an 8-pole Nd-Fe-B hollow core rotor with skewed stator laminations that provides low cogging torque. This design results in superior force repeatability of ±3.0% over millions of weld cycles, with actual field results to ±1.5%, independent of position. The design also results in greatly improved weld quality, offering weld force up to 2,500 pounds (11.12kN) and peak force of 4,400 pounds (19.57kN).
Tol-O-Matic has announced its new Absolute Position Feedback (APF) technology, the first fully-integrated linear actuator sensor that eliminates the need for homing routines. APF-equipped Tol-O-Matic actuators provide analog feedback to the controller or PLC to determine actual load position. Work point variances can also be accommodated throughout the cycle, eliminating stoppage for manual set-ups. Systems with APF provide position feedback as soon as power is applied, allowing immediate resumption from shutdowns, resets and power losses. The APF option is currently available for Tol-O-Matic BC3 pneumatic and B3S electric series actuators, and unlike fixed length sensors, can be ordered in incremental stroke lengths from 2 to 156 inches.
“APF is fully integrated within the actuator body, eliminating the need for complex mounting and also reducing the chance of damage to the transducer,” said Michael Dornfeld, Tol-O-Matic Project Engineer.
