The Problem with Hydraulics

 

Hydraulics versus electrically powered solutions? What are the main reasons for choosing hydraulics? Frequently the high constant force and low capital cost are cited as the main reasons, "Because nothing else will give the required force reliably". This used to be a valid reason but when considering the advantages of modern electrical actuators the justification can more often than not fall in the favour of electric actuation.

 

Hydraulics can tend to be the industrial equivalent of a sledge hammer to crack a nut, whereby the high constant load is only required for a fraction of the main stroke. This coupled with other drawbacks such as leaks, maintenance and associated fire and health & safety risks including environmental disposal costs of fluid present a number of challenging issues for an equipment operator to contend with.

 

 

Another frequent argument against is that electrical actuation is a poorer mechanically robust solution, which may be true in the case of cheaper aluminium extruded actuation systems more suited to simple automation and positioning tasks. The Jena Tec HD and VT series however is manufactured from a rigid steel wall construction designed to last in arduous environments including extremes of temperature and corrosive environments coupled with a machine tool grade high precision re-circulating ballscrew mechanism.

 

The development of high force and precision electric ballscrew driven actuators, such as those from Jena Tec, provide a neat alternative solution. Imagine having the high force of a hydraulic system infinitely controllable throughout the entire stroke couped with an accurate and repeatable positioning capability. Jena Tec's ability to offer up to a 5 year warranty means the argument is much more persuasive than Hydraulics and makes Jena Tec's "Force with Precision" actuation systems a realistic production solution.

 

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