L'articolo HP5 – electric linear actuator for safe and precise movements proviene da MecVel Srl.

L'articolo Linear electric actuators and 4.0 industry principles proviene da MecVel Srl.

Advancing the trend of continuous growth of the renewable energies market and being aware of the importance of this industrial field from a “green” and eco-friendly point of view, MecVel has developed and constantly works on electric linear actuators fully matchable with the renewable energies world and automation required by these applications.

Specifically, the linear actuator is an electromechanical cylinder powered by an electric motor connected to a gearbox, which moves a series of gears and a push rod to transform the rotatory motion of the motor into a linear movement.

MecVel is in thelinear automation field since 1987and the experience gained has led the company to focus on the photovoltaic industry, analysing its criticalities, its requests, and its technical specifications, to understand how to satisfy them with a performing and tailored solution: this has been the starting point for creating HP5, the new MecVel product.

Solar trackers and linear motions

HP5 electric linear actuator has been designed for solar trackers, both single and dual axis,as these tracking systems offer the highest efficiency: single-axis solar trackers allow for an increase in terms of energy conversion up to 40% more than a fixed photovoltaic plant, while the highest increase (up to +50%) is provided by a dual axis system.

In a single-axis solar tracker the photovoltaic panel rotation is on one axis: on the vertical one, there is the so-called “roll movement”, and this allows the continuous photovoltaic panel orientation and the slow but constant “chasing” of the sun during the day, while on the horizontal one, there is the so-called “tilt movement” and the efficiency is influenced by seasons, that’s why this solution is well suited for countries with low latitudes.

Dual-axis solar trackers have two rotation axis perpendicular to each other, providing both kinds of movement: an electric linear actuator is applied to each rotation axis, so that the photovoltaic panel is always oriented towards the sun, keeping a 90° angle between its surface and beams, in order to maximize the tracking process.

Benefits of solar tracking systems

There isn’t linear automation in a fixed photovoltaic plant so to achieve a high level of efficiency huge spaces are required, in order to install as many photovoltaic panels as possible, while the maximum performance and the consequent energy conversion are provided only when sunbeams hit the photovoltaic panel surface perpendicularly: this happens in a single moment of the day, while the tracking system has the aim to constantly place itself to catch any sunbeam in the most effective way, from dawn to sunset.

One more added value of solar trackers, if compared to fixed photovoltaic plants, is that the environmental impact is reduced to zero: the shading is minimal and this leads to a lower use of the ground, as there are no permanently shaded areas, thanks to the continuous rotation of the photovoltaic panel, so that rain and sun can reach, at different times, the land below, which remains usable for example for agriculture, with no limits due to the presence of the solar tracker.

Furthermore, this technology is the best solution even if compared to systems using a slewing ring to move the photovoltaic panel: in this case, it is required to disassemble the whole photovoltaic panel to proceed with the slewing ring maintenance or repair, while using electric linear actuators the devices in charge for the photovoltaic panel rotation are outside from the main structure,easily identifiable and accessible.

This leads to a better organization of both maintenance and repair processes: the electric linear actuator configuration can be the same in case of roll or tilt motion, allowing to manage and keep in stock only one product code.

Pluses of HP5 electric linear actuator

Features distinguishing HP5 in the linear automation market at the service of the photovoltaic industry are various:
• A static axial force up to 45000 N: HP5 can keep the load of the whole photovoltaic panel if the solar tracker is in “rest” or safety position, that’s when the system detecting the wind speed places the photovoltaic panel horizontally due to too much wind (automation possible only with dual axis solar trackers)
• A dynamic force up to 15000 N even with long strokes (>> 500 mm), maintaining extremely low both speed and consumption (2 mm/s and 6 A)
• The steel cross gearbox allows to directly transfer the motion from the electric motor to the push rod, without any loss in terms of efficiency
• Reduced overall dimensions due to the DC motor parallel to the push rod
• The fixing through pins on the cover tube makes HP5 versatile and easy to fit into the main structure, also thanks to an electric system with simple connections, getting a fast and “clean” installation

Keywords: reliability, resistance, precision

Electric linear actuator performances are as better as targeted on a specific function or application, and that’s why in the development phase of HP5, MecVel has been focused on how to make it flexible but strong at the same time, as well as high performing,offering to solar trackers linear motions able to always provide feedback on the reached position, keep an optimal inclination and be long-lasting.

Moreover, the customization service the company makes available to its customers allows it to configure each product to meet the technical specifications and needs of the single application, for example, according to the kind of solar park, the electric linear actuator mounting position, the climatic conditions, replying through specific setups to any request, for effective and efficient automation.

Contact us or watch the video below for further information.

L'articolo “Go green” with HP5, the new electric linear actuator for the photovoltaic industry proviene da MecVel Srl.

A 360° tool for the electric linear actuator selection

How to find the right electric linear actuator and size it correctly? This is one of the first questions asked by every customer, and consequently one of MecVel’s primary purposes is to support him in any phase of product choice and development, to get the most suitable combination to meet his linear motion requests.

This is made possible by a great variety of products, that MecVel has collected in its most classic and frequently asked versions inside a digital and interactive catalogue, a real online configurator.

Configure electric linear actuators

The electric linear actuator configurator is integrated into the company website, and it can be found on every product page and, even more easily, in the restricted area for the website subscribers.

It is smart to use, allowing a step-by-step selection among the possible options until the desired solution for the application is reached.

The 2D/3D modelling service

The configurator includes the whole MecVel products range. Once the model has been chosen, consider the power supply, motor position (orthogonal, parallel or in line to the electric linear actuator push tube), force to be supplied according to the load to move, type of screw (acme or ball screw) and limit switches devices, then design and technical features can be furtherly customized.

It is possible to set a series of options such as speed, stroke length, voltage, encoder, potentiometer, anti-rotation, bellows boot, painting, safety nut, motor and e-box position, type and position of rear and front ends and also limit switches, according to MecVel offer.

After every new choice, the 3D preview gets updated to see in real time all the modifications and verify they comply with what is needed.

A smart and flexible configurator

This tool has been developed to offer to customers the possibility to model MecVel electric linear actuators very easily and on their own, to make a first selection and a feasibility assessment. Moreover, being online, it is available for anyone, without limits in terms of time and space.

Discover the products

The great flexibility of the configurator allows customers to know more about MecVel products, deepening the several options of standard configurations and related technical aspects, but in particular, they can immediately evaluate if the electric linear actuator can be integrated and meet the project specs.

Generate CAD and PDF Datasheet

The service includes the possibility to generate and download a wide selection of CAD formats and PDF Datasheets of the product chosen, reducing consistently the modelling time.

A fast reply from the system leads to an immediate verification in terms of correctness, compliance with application specs, and inclusion in a more complex project, allowing one to move to the next step, such as further customization of a standard product, a request of information to the technical department, or a quotation from the sales one.

Catalog always available

The products configurator is an online tool, always available, and this means that any customer can use it 24/7, confirming that MecVel linear motion technologies never stop.

At the same time, the company website is constantly updated regarding product news and kinds of applications, offering users a database of useful information and technical data.

The customization service

Together with the 2D/3D modelling service, MecVel technical department is involved in particular in further customization requests of standard products, offering dedicated and tailored designs, one of the main benefits that characterize the company in the linear automation market.

In this case, the key to the electric linear actuator configuration process is the collaboration with the customer to understand the application features, according to elements such as the industrial field, duty cycle, temperature and working environment, and how to solve them with an ad hoc proposal.

Contact us for more information.

L'articolo How to choose the right electric linear actuator? proviene da MecVel Srl.

L'articolo Electric systems: the innovation in linear motion proviene da MecVel Srl.

The new challenges of the Packaging Industry

Q. Any sector must inevitably face new challenges continuously, given that all industrial contexts are certainly not static.
Are the Italian Packaging companies able to maintain the necessary pace of innovation, despite a country system that is not adequate, or is international competition starting to erode the leadership acquired over time?
More specifically, in your opinion, what are the main challenges for the Packaging sector today and in the near future?

A. In the packaging sector, as well as in many other industrial fields, the goal is to achieve greater automation and customization of the machine and of the related components to place itself in every market niche and satisfy the customer’s requirements in detail, which is constantly looking for high-performance, “plug-and-play” solutions tailored to its needs.
In packaging, the optimization of the work cycle to minimize downtime and increase production remains fundamental, as does the automation of the entire chain and the various stations along the production line, from the processing of the raw product to the finished product packaging.
Speed ​​and flexibility are other essential elements for each machine to demonstrate that it can effectively and efficiently process products that are also different in shape, weight, and material.
Above all, the elimination of plastic in favour of recyclable and ecological packaging becomes important, as well as the implementation along the production lines of electrical systems to replace the hydraulic or pneumatic ones to make the sector increasingly green and eco-sustainable.

Packaging and technology

Q. In any industrial sector, among the technologies we are talking about and considered indispensable for growth and competitiveness, we should mention robotics, IIoT, artificial intelligence, Blockchain, and augmented reality.
And of course not only that.
Are these technologies, and others, entering the world of Packaging?
And what about the necessary skills to use them?

A. The most suitable and widespread new technologies in the packaging sector are primarily robotics, from arms to AGVs, and traceability.
While the first is necessary for the automation and versatility of production processes and the optimization of flows, the second is as important for the company as it is for the final consumer.
The constant monitoring along the production line and the possibility of tracing back at any time to the various processing phases crossed by the product, allow to exponential increase in the level of control and safety on the processes, reducing the margins of error considering that, moreover, the data traced must be carefully collected, stored and easily consulted.
Especially in robotics, another field in continuous evolution, there is an increasingly frequent meeting between mechanics and electronics, and this brings with it the need to have a series of skills that must range in both sectors, to combine them in the best possible way and draw from them an advantage in terms of innovation.
At the same time, the market requires technologies that are intuitive and easy to apply even by end users, so the right compromise must be sought.

Market proposals

Q. Which of your proposals do you think best meets the needs of the packaging machinery manufacturers sector?
Which solutions are to be considered most innovative, such as to distinguish you from your competitors?

A. Our company, MecVel Srl, has more than thirty years of experience in the linear automation sector, and its core business is the design and production of electric linear actuators, devices which transform the rotary motion of a motor into a pull or push for loads up to 20 tons.
These also blend perfectly with the packaging sector to the extent that a high-performance, fast, versatile product is required that uses an electrical system, therefore eco-friendly and non-polluting.
Flexibility is given by the customization service provided by MecVel, aimed at configuring each electric linear actuator to adapt it to the technical specifications of the application for which it is intended.
For the packaging sector, we have a trump card to play with regard to linear automation along production lines.
Extruders and blow moulding or injection machines, format change and edge guiding, end of the line, AGV, for each of these stations MecVel has the customized product for the linear movement to be performed, from the height adjustment of the rollers to the control of the direction of the product on the conveyor belt, up to the management of the steering and the loading/unloading platform of the AGV.
The AM series is the most suitable for medium loads (15,000 N max.) without sacrificing speed, precision and complete control, as it offers the possibility of mounting even the latest generations of the servo, stepper and brushless motors, placing itself close to real servo-actuation and creating systems that are perfectly interchangeable with pneumatic cylinders.

L'articolo Linear automation solutions for the Packaging industry: challenges and technology proviene da MecVel Srl.

MecVel offers its competences to medical and hospital industries, proposing advanced technologies for the linear automation field.
The company core business in fact is the design and the manufacturing of linear actuators, electromechanical devices converting the rotatory motion of a motor into a linear movement, to lift, position, push or pull a load.

Solutions based on patients, doctors and healthcare professionals’ needs

Solutions developed for medical and hospital fields have been created to satisfy patients requests, asking for more comfort, and doctors and healthcare professionals’ needs, looking for higher performance.
In order to meet these requests, MecVel electric linear actuators allow for an efficient and silent motion.

Applications for these linear motion technologies

These products are used in the medical industry, in healthcare and hospital fields, and these are some of the applications supplied:

• Linear automation systems for incubators: the movement provided regards with the orientation of the cradle. It is also possible to vertically adjust the incubator position, for better handling of the patient. These systems allow also to increase the comfort level for the new-born through smooth and precise movements

• Electric linear actuators for X-ray machines: movements can go from the vertical lifting in an orthopantomograph to the adjustment of mammography machines till the orientation of c-arms. These technologies offer a lot of possibilities in positioning, getting the most suitable way to perform the radiographic exam

• Devices for ophthalmic and dental chairs: in this case the movement is of height regulation of the seat and of the backrest/footrest inclination. These devices are really easy to use for the operator, providing a higher comfort level to the patient

• Electric linear actuators for surgery and veterinary tables: they are used to adjust the position of the operating table or other machinery used in an operating room. These solutions allow the medical staff to have a better position related to the patient, and this leads to advantages in ergonomic terms

• Devices for rehabilitation machines (in physiotherapy and orthopaedics), stair lifts and motorized chairs: the linear movements regard the height regulation of the seat and the backrest/footrest inclination, in rehab as well as in motorized chairs. These systems control also the opening/closing of the final section of the rail used by stair lifts. Therefore, these technologies can offer more independence to the user

Other advantages offered by MecVel products

Customization service

Automations developed for medical and hospital fields have at their disposal a customization service which allows configuring each product according to the technical specifications of the application to which it is intended.

Silent and user-friendly linear motion systems

Electric linear actuators can be perfectly placed inside machines used by the medical industry, minimizing their overall dimensions without renouncing resistance and high load capacity.
The linear motion systems proposed are very reliable and safe: they are silent, easy to use and with a high quality-level.

Electric powered devices

One more plus is given by the fact that these devices use an electric system, which allows getting the power only when required, providing particularly effective and precise control.
Moreover, an electrically powered technology doesn’t need pumps, valves and pipes, avoiding the risk of contamination due to oil leaks, as required by the safety standards of sterile environments such as the healthcare one.

Great know-how for advanced technologies

Finally, MecVel has more than 30 years of experience in the linear motion technologies industry.
This grants customers great know-how, from development to manufacturing.
Care and attention for each detail allow to place on the market electric linear actuators with high performance, able to improve any motion experience.

Ask for more information here.

L'articolo Electric linear actuators for the medical industry proviene da MecVel Srl.

L'articolo What is an electric linear actuator? proviene da MecVel Srl.