For electric cylinders using roller-screw technology, also called linear actuators, with external motors, for forces up to 178kN, we offer three families, as described in the following:

  • RSA-ST (Standard Torque) for forces up to 40kN
  • RSA-HT (High Torque) for forces up to 58kN
  • RSX for forces up to 178kN

Below, we describe each family in more detail.

Do you have technical questions or need a quote?

Contact us today to talk to an experienced MACCON engineer!

Family: RSA-ST (standard torque)

RSA-ST electric cylinders (also called actuators) provide precise medium force performance which make them ideal candidates for replacing pneumatic cylinders. High thrust bearings and internal bumpers deliver heavy duty performance. A rigid, strong aluminum housing allows for easy mounting of switches and sensors. These electric linear rod actuators are suitable for pneumatic replacement, general motion control applications and many more.

  • 6 body sizes with built-to-order stroke lengths of 12 to 60 inches (305 to 1,524 mm)
  • Maximum thrusts of up to 4,038 lbf (40,257 N)
  • Solid, ball and bronze screw/nut combinations
  • Available with low-backlash ball screw/nut 
  • Multiple mounting options

For further details, please download the PDF catalogue on the right-hand side.

Family: RSA-HT (high torque)

The RSA-HT heavy duty electric rod actuator accommodates larger motors and delivers high force with excellent accuracy. These high force electric linear actuators feature ball or roller screw selections, an enhanced high thrust bearing and heavy duty internal bumpers. The standard grease zerk extends screw life by making relubrication easy and convenient without dissassembly. RSA-HT actuators are suitable for valve actuation, punch press, injection molding applications and many more.

  • 4 body sizes with stroke lengths from 18 to 60 inches (457 to 1,524 mm)
  • Maximum force/thrust up to 58kN)
  • Positional accuracy of +/- 0.0004"/ft (+/- 0.0102mm/300mm) for roller screw actuators or +/- 0.002"/ft (+/- 0.051mm/300mm) for ball screw models
  • Optional IP67 linear actuator configuration available to protect against dust and moisture

For further details, please download the PDF catalogue on the right-hand side.

Family: RSX : Roller-screw cylinders for extreme forces

The RSX family of extreme force electric linear actuators are more efficient and offer increased precision compared to hydraulic cylinders.  The Tolomatic precision ground planetary roller screws are utilized to achieve long life and precision. The RSX platform is designed and tested for long life and reliable performance in demanding conditions including cold weather operation.  The RSX family includes two frame sizes capable of achieving 80 kN to 178 kN max force.

RSX extreme force electric linear actuators offer these features:

  • Planetary roller screw driven for long consistent life
  • Type III hard coat anodized aluminum housing to withstand demanding environments
  • Standard thrust rod anti-rotation feature
  • IP67 rated for water, dust and corrosion resistance
  • Compatible with servo motors and gearboxes up to 215mm frame sizes

For further technical details, please download the catalogue on the right.

Do you have technical questions or need a quote?

Contact us today to talk to an experienced MACCON engineer!

Electric vs. hydraulic

For decades, hydraulic cylinders have proven themselves in industrial automation due to their high forces, robustness and low cost.

However, increasing demands in automation and the growing technical advances of electric actuators have led to ongoing controversies as to which technology - hydraulic or electric - offers the best overall solution for the same application.

Download the whitepaper (left) to learn more about the pros and cons of both technologies.

As mentioned earlier, hydraulic actuators can generate very high forces and are generally less expensive to implement than electric servo systems in terms of initial cost. To ensure optimal system performance, there are also some drawbacks associated with them, such as the need for a large footprint, regular maintenance, and manual system adjustments. Furthermore, hydraulic systems are susceptible to temperature fluctuations, tend to leak, and operate in an open loop, which presents challenges for data acquisition. To counteract some of these problems, servohydraulics can be implemented. However, servohydraulics have a larger footprint and are very costly to implement. Hydraulics offer long life, but are not nearly as efficient as electric systems.

Electric systems have a smaller footprint than hydraulic systems and also provide precise position, speed and velocity control with more efficient operation. They operate in a closed loop for easy data collection and are virtually maintenance free. Because of their higher accuracy performance, electric servo systems can be more expensive than hydraulic ones for initial implementation. However, the increased efficiency of operation with little or no maintenance over the life of the system results in a lower total cost of ownership over the life of the system and makes it an attractive alternative to hydraulics.

Because electric actuators are capable of achieving high hydraulic forces today, they will continue to be considered as a replacement for hydraulic actuators in many applications in the future.