Electric Actuator Selection Design Aid for Low Cost Automation

DS 58-6: Proceedings of ICED 09, the 17th International Conference on Engineering Design, Vol. 6, Design Methods and Tools (pt. 2), Palo Alto, CA, USA, 24.-27.08.2009

Year: 2009
Editor: Norell Bergendahl, M.; Grimheden, M.; Leifer, L.; Skogstad, P.; Lindemann, U.
Author: Egbuna, C. Chukwudi; Basson, Anton Herman
Series: ICED
Section: Design Methods and Tools
Page(s): 43-54

Abstract

The selection of cost effective and efficient actuators is challenging, particularly in Low Cost Automation (LCA). Often decisions are based on the designers' experience or on actuator suppliers' recommendations, potentially leading to the selection of sub-optimum actuators due to lack of applicable experience or the manufacturer's incomplete understanding of the design requirements. This paper describes an electric motor selection procedure for use in the early layout design phase of LCA systems. The procedure aims to enable a designer to identify actuator types that are technically viable options. Its use does not require prior knowledge of the actuators, but only requires inputs based on system/application requirements. Being orientated towards LCA, the selection procedure has been targeted at the application of commonly available electric motors and their associated control technologies.

Keywords: Low Cost Automation (LCA), Selection procedure, Actuator selection

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