Voice Coil Actuators (VCA) for Use in Harsh Environments

Sensata | BEI Kimco provides a comprehensive range of unique linear and rotary Voice Coil Actuators (VCA). With proven customized designs implemented in various industries, these direct-drive, zero backlash, cog-free devices are the best choice for regulating precision and high-accuracy motion.

Sensata provides the following VCA setup options:

Cylindrical Frameless Linear Voice Coil Actuator

Un-housed or frameless voice coil actuators (VCAs) are sold in pairs of coil and field assemblies. These assemblies must be appropriately positioned within the customer’s application.

Frameless VCAs are the most cost-effective and versatile types of linear actuators, enabling customers to integrate them into their systems in a way that fits their application. VCA technology also has countless inherent advantages, such as direct drive, zero backlash, cog-free operation, accurate motion, high acceleration, and the use of a single phase.

Features

• Able to withstand billions of use cycles
• Constructed with high-energy product rare earth magnets
• Moving coil and moving magnet designs are available
• A vast product portfolio of standard products, reducing lead time and cost

Image Credit: Sensata Technologies, Inc.

Motor Options

Source: Sensata Technologies, Inc.

Cylindrical Semi-housed Linear Voice Coil Actuator

Semi-housed voice coil actuators (VCA) enhance the basic frameless VCAs by adding a shaft and self-aligning bushings. The lead wires have also been upgraded to a high-flex variant, meaning that there is additional protection from wear and tear. Various shaft options are available depending on the size of the actuator, including both external and internal threading, as well as a standard smooth shaft.

Features

• Zero-cogging and backlash-free
• Life tested in excess of 500 million cycles
• Precision shaft with multiple options

Image Credit: Sensata Technologies, Inc.

Motor Options

Source: Sensata Technologies, Inc.

Cylindrical Housed Linear Voice Coil Actuator

A fully housed voice coil actuator (VCA) further expands upon the idea of the semi-housed VCA that incorporates self-aligning bushings and a shaft. This design fully captures the coil assembly to maintain concentricity with the field assembly. An added internal flex circuit protects external moving wires and limits axial travel on both ends of the stroke.

The linear actuator can be placed on one side as a single component and does not require a customer-provided alignment mechanism, making it simple to incorporate into applications. Housed voice coil actuators include all of the inherent benefits of VCA technology, such as direct drive, zero backlash, cog-free operation for precise motion, rapid acceleration, and single-phase operation.

Features

• Designs with magnet springs and/or latches are available
• There are several shaft variants available
• Housing provides extra mechanical and environmental protection
• A single unit that is more easily integrated into customer applications
• Life tested more than 500 million cycles

Image Credit: Sensata Technologies, Inc.

Motor Options

Source: Sensata Technologies, Inc.