Scanning for Ideas: Actuators with Easily Adjustable Belt Tension

April 24, 2008

The HPLA and HLE belt-driven actuators from Parker Hannifin Corp.’s Electromechanical Automation Div., Irwin, Pa. (www.parker.com), can now have belt tension adjusted at the idler end.

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This lets users adjust the belt without removing the load. According to Parker, this reduces maintenance and, together with the HPLA/HLE direct- mount gearbox, lowers ownership costs by 20%.

Both actuators handle speeds up 5 m/sec, loads to 1,600 kg, and generate up to 5,500 N of thrust force. Drive torque can be as high as 244 Nm. The HPLA can move loads 50 m, while the HLE actuator has a 20-m range. Repeatability is 0.05 mm.